Anyone can go out and get a dog and bring him home. However, if you wish to properly care for your dog, you must know what you’re doing. Pay attention to the following helpful advice so that you can make sure your dog has everything it needs in order to live and long and healthy life.
Look into subsidized health care for your dog if money is tight. Many local communities, in cooperation with groups like the SPCA offer discounted services that have proven invaluable to dog owners. Look into getting your dog spayed or neutered and vaccinated for a fraction of veterinary costs at a sponsored event probably close-by to you. Just contact the SPCA or an animal shelter in your town.
Whenever you travel with your pet, don’t skimp on the packing. Of course you need to be well supplied with his food, water and any medications he may be on, but experts advise that you also bring his grooming supplies, vaccination paperwork, tags and an extra leash. Also, bring a flat sheet for when your dog will be on hotel furniture.
Your dog needs a stimulating environment if it is going to live a long and healthy life. Providing him or her with one is not really that hard. Simply make sure you take your dog for walks each day, and purchase a few toys that you and your pet can play with together.
Get a dog house if you have a dog that you leave outside, in case the weather gets bad. Getting cold or wet can cause your dog to be stressed and can cause health problems. Protect them from precipitation and wind by providing them a dry and spacious shelter.
Try not to force your dog to eat things. If you purchase a treat your dog doesn’t appear to like, just try another brand rather than making him eat. Find out your dog’s likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.
Properly teach your dog how to walk with a leash. Make him walk at your side, and do not let him pull far in front of you or stay far behind. Use the command “heel” to prompt him. This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Understanding that command is great, even if you choose to still walk with a loose leash periodically.
In order to make sure that your dog is healthy, be sure to allow it to have access to clean water at all times during the day. Just like with all living beings, water is one of the most important components. The only exception would be that you would want to keep water from a puppy for three hours before bedtime.
Keep your dog in comfortable housing. They should be able to rest off the floor and away from drafts. A training crate is a good choice or any covered shelter outside. Try placing a dog bed inside that has a warm blanket or a pillow inside. Wash the dog’s bedding frequently.
There are many ways to show your dog how cherished he is. Owners tend to focus on the bad times, not the good. This causes problems with dog behavior. Give your dog positive reinforcement every time they do something right. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.
Your dog loves you unconditionally, and you want to make sure you provide the most for him. Therefore, it’s imperative that you utilize the information you’ve been given so that you can work towards taking good care of your pet. Your pet deserves proper care, and you can now provide that to him.
