Things You Should Know If You Have A Dog

With all of the different breeds, temperaments, and characters available in dogs, there's a perfect pooch out there for any owner. Knowing the type of dog that will fit your family, along with how to care for your breed of choice, is a huge decision. Read more to determine how you can ensure that your dog is in capable hands--yours!

Getting a dog is going to cost you some money. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. Getting emergency care from the vet is costly, so you may need to take a look at health insurance for your pet.

When you begin training your pup, start in your yard or home. This prevents some of the problems that are associated with training around a lot of other people. They are going to become distracted, and the easiest commands can be tough.

Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. Cheap dog food contains lots of preservatives and additives that your dog doesn't need. Check with animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods that are recommended by professionals. The higher quality food will benefit your dog profoundly.

Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Giving them actual bones may cause them to fall apart and become lodged in the digestive tract or oral cavity of your dog. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog's teeth.

Nip bad behavior in the bud. Ignoring it can help your dog to establish lifelong bad habits. The longer you wait to address the problem, the worse the problem will become. You don't want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.

Train your dog how to properly walk when on a leash. The dog needs to stay beside you, not behind or in front of you. It also needs to know the command "heel". Walking like this can keep them safe and help you enjoy walks too. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.

If you're considering becoming a dog owner, but are unsure if you're ready to take the step, you can foster one. Shelters for abused or homeless dogs are often looking for temporary homes, called foster homes, where dogs can live until they are adopted out to a permanent home. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.

Never leave a dog outside for long periods of time. It is important that your dog has interaction. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. Keep in mind that your dog can also get sick if the weather is too cold or humid.

Do you feel more confident about taking good care of your pooch? This article has given you important advice than will ensure you know how to care for your dog. Use the above advice and keep your dog happy and healthy.