Lots of people have had the experience of having a pet. If you’re a person that has a dog or is thinking of getting one, then you need to learn a few things. This piece will provide lots of food advice for raising dogs well.

It costs a lot of money to own a dog. Good quality dog food and medical care can cost between $700-1000 a year. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.

Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. A lot of them have chemicals that might be bad for kids! Discuss family-friendly alternative flea treatments with your vet. Be sure to store all flea treatments out of the reach of children.

Talk to your vet about what kinds of foods you might want to keep your pet away from. Some puppies take longer to develop, and some types of food may be too rich, leading to an upset belly or vomiting. Always be cautious when you’re thinking of feeding your dog.

Use your lifestyle to pick the dog breed you need to get. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. If you prefer to stay home curled up on your couch, go for a small dog that likes to be spoiled and that will curl up along with you. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.

Speak with your vet to see how much you’re going to have to feed your dog daily. Sometimes the guidelines on pet food labels aren’t correct, and following them could lead to obesity. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.

Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. Adverse weather conditions can be detrimental to your pooch, causing illnesses, anxiety and poor behaviors. Your dog needs a space that is dry and provides him with adequate shelter.

Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. Daily brushing helps the coat to stay beautiful and shiny. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.

Schedule a veterinary checkup for your new dog. Schedule a visit with the vet right away. The vet will check him over and prepare him for vaccinations. In addition, consult your vet about spaying or neutering your dog. The shelters are already overcrowded, so you do not want to make that problem worse.

Take the time to train your dog on 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. Your dog will be safer in this position, and you’ll both enjoy your walks more this way. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.

Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medication. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. When a vet makes a recommendation, it is for the safety and health of your dog; if you ignore them, that can lead to trouble.

Your dog needs plenty of affection. Do not focus on just the negatives with your dog. This may eventually cause problems. Dogs need to be praised five times more frequently than scolding. Your dog will be far more likely to try to behave properly.

You may not have known that some vitamins can harm your dog. Dog food usually meets your dog’s nutritional requirements by itself. Do not give your dog too many vitamins as this can get them sick. Before giving your dog vitamins, get your vet’s OK.

When thinking about acquiring a dog, be sure to take your entire life (special events, weekends away, vacations) into account. No matter how much you may want a furry friend, you may realize that you aren’t ready for that kind of responsibility.

When you start training, try different reward systems. Be on the look out for what motivates your pet to perform well. If your dog likes food, try giving them food as a reward. You could also play tug of war for a few minutes to reward your dog. Certain dogs just need love and affection whenever they behave.

Summer Months

Take precautions for your dog during the hot summer months. Dogs have a coat of fur and can get hot very quick. You need to have a place for them to get out of the sun in the summer months. Clean water will also be extra important during these months. Dogs are also affected by sun rays, so speak with the vet about dog sunscreen.

Be firm. When some people own dogs they give them extra treats and allow them to misbehave. Regardless of how they look, you will need to stand firm. Nonetheless, it is best to establish rules and maintain them firmly to avoid problems. For example, you might not care that your dog begs for food from time to time, but eventually that dog will think it can just jump on the table and start eating whatever is on it.

After you’ve read over the above article, all of your dog care questions should be answered. Information is the key to having a happy life with your pet. Read carefully and talk to your vet should you have some questions.