Whether you are considering getting a dog or you have one already, you’re already aware that taking care of a dog can be complex. This isn’t something that you can just do from day one. Review the information below to learn how to take great care of your dogs.

Being a dog owner can be very costly. Each dog needs quality food, medical care and general supplies. It can cost you around $1000 each year. Also, emergency care is a lot if your dog was to ever get sick; you may want to think about pet insurance.

If you bring your pet on vacation with you, keep a picture of him with you, particularly on your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.

Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. Remember that dogs exposed to cold and damp or excessive heat are far more likely to become ill. Give your dog a shelter that is spacious and dry, and your dog will be protected from the hard winds and dampness.

Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. If they get too long and start to curl, the result could be painful injuries to the nail beds and your dog’s paws. Find some good clippers you can use to trim your dog’s nails yourself. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.

Make sure to exercise your dog often. Regular play and exercise is essential to keep your dog happy, both physically and mentally. Whether you decide to take the dog for a walk or if you’re just playing fetch, it will benefit both of you. Besides just getting some exercise, you’ll be creating a bond between you and your dog.

If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren’t totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. 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.

Avoid leaving your pup outside all day. Yes, people do this too often, but dogs require interactions with people and other dogs for their well-being. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. Keeping them out for too long also exposes them to the elements, so its best that you bring them inside so they don’t get sick being outside in really bad weather.

Make sure your let your dog know you love him. As with most things, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This can cause issues later. Rather, be sure to give praise five times more frequently than you reprimand. Your dog will be far more likely to try to behave properly.

Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. Males can smell her scent for miles. She might instigate problems with fellow dogs, as well as getting pregnant with an unknown mate.

Be sure that your dog has some kind of identification in case it were to escape from your home. A common way to find a lost dog is to ensure it has a collar with an ID tag. Put your own name and contact information on it, along with your dog’s name. Micro-chipping is another great option to help in the event that your dog gets lost.

Know any canine laws that might affect your ownership. Local legislation that could restrict or regulate the rights of dogs and their owners might be on the table. That legislations is often motivated by certain breeds or certain dogs that have behaved badly. Make sure that your voice is heard on behalf of other dog owners.

It’s not that unusual for dogs to cut themselves after stepping on discarded debris or broken glass. Clean any small cuts on your dog with antiseptic, and bandage the area. If the cut seems deep, visit your vet.

You shouldn’t use a chilly, wet nose to gauge your pet’s health. There are a lot of reasons that dogs will have a wet or cold nose, even when they’re not sick. Keep an eye on your pet’s health by monitoring their mood, appetite levels, and how much energy they have. These signs more accurately foretell the state of your dog’s health. A rectal thermometer will come in handy to see if your dog is feverish.

Positive Reinforcement

When you’re training your dog, it’s important to utilize positive reinforcement. Rewards and praise make your pet learn faster than threats and violence. Positive reinforcement is more efficient and will allow you to connect with your pet. Treat your friend kindly when training to see better results.

If your dog is going to be left alone often, crate training may be a great option for you. This stops your house from being damaged.

Just like a human, any dog needs consistent cleaning. You may not need to bathe your dog daily, but it should get a thorough cleaning once weekly. A clean dog will be less likely to develop skin problems and will help you keep your house clean.

When you adopt a pet, sign up for training classes. Owning a dog will be much easier if the animal is properly trained and obeys your commands. It is much easier to train puppies, but older dogs can be successfully trained too.

The more you know about dogs, the easier it is to care for them. Love and patience are key to a happy relationship with your dog. Continue learning all that you can to ensure a great relationship with your pup.