Dogs can be expensive.  There are food, health, grooming and k9 obedience training costs.  But the rewards of owning a dog outweighs any monetary expense accumulated.  If you are debating on whether getting a dog is the right choice for you, check out our list of the top two widespread reasons dog owners cannot imagine life without their dogs.

Dogs Provide Companionship

If you survey dog owners across the board, companionship will be the number one universal reason why people love their dogs.  Depending on the breed, a dog could be your running, walking or hiking partner.  Your dog is present when you come home from work every day providing you with lots of excitement and joy.  You have playtime set aside dedicated to your dog.  Your dog is always there to provide unconditional love without having to say a word.  It is companionship at its best.  It is the reason why a dog is a man’s best friend.

Dogs Elevate Moods

When you are in a funk, it is difficult to snap out of it.  However, a dog’s presence automatically helps ease you out of the tough times.  For instance, my friend has a dog, and when my friend is in a sad state, the dog is able to sense it.  The dog will tug at the covers in the morning ensuring she gets up out of bed and starts her day off the right foot.  And it works!  It does not matter if my friend swore the night before that she is never leaving her bedroom for the next eight days.  Her dog knows when she is in the dumps, and pulls her out of it.

A dog brings joy to our lives.  A dog is able to lift our spirits and provide an abundance of positive emotions our way.  To find out more about how to sustain your dog’s health, grooming and training talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional today.

When adding a puppy to your home there are a few things you need to keep in mind.  Here is a basic outline of essential tasks needed to provide your dog with a vigorous, happy life.

Implement Training and Socializing Skills

There is nothing more wonderful than bringing home a new puppy.  The puppy is excited and ready to love on every member of the household.  But with a new environment comes fresh ground rules for the pup.  For instance, you do not want your pup to think it is acceptable to chew on anything lying around the house.  Train your pup to use chew toys only.  In addition, if there are other animals in the house, it is wise to introduce the dog through socialization and training skills.

Also, if you are adding an adult dog to the home, then find a dog training class that teaches how to introduce your dog into a his/her new settings with positive reinforcement.  You want the transition to be enjoyable for all parties involved and socialization and training is the way to go.

Choose Nutritious Dog Food

Most dog professionals agree the first five ingredients in dog food are telling regarding the nutritional factor.  Within the first five ingredients, be sure two of them are high quality protein resources.   It will aid your dog into receiving a well-balanced diet.

Exercise Your Dog

Besides eating right, your dog needs to engage in exercise.  Provide your dog with ample playtime and physical activity.  Dogs are susceptible to many health issues caused by obesity.  Keep your dog active.  It is part of supplying your pup with a fit, stable, caring home.

Dogs need food, shelter and appropriate positive training.  These are the main factors to building a constructive, loving home for your pup.  If you are unsure on where or how to start, talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

When humans suffer from allergies our eyes water, breathing becomes asthmatic, our nose sniffles, and we sneeze exhibiting clear symptoms of allergies.  For dogs, you need to pay close attention to their skin.  Check their fur for skin irritation spots.  Take note if your dog scratches too much or is constantly trying to bite, lick or gnaw at a certain location on their skin.  Dogs suffer from allergies but it occurs as a skin irritant.

Investigate Dog Allergy Causes

You need to make sure you have not changed your dog’s shampoo or bedding area.  Have you added different material sheets or pillow covers to your pup’s sleeping quarters?  Have you switched dog shampoo brands?  Check out all the areas where your dog spends frequent amount of time and you will be able to find out the cause of the culprit.

If the cause is from nature, such as pollen, dust mites, or mildew, then you need to take appropriate measures to fix the issue.  Remove any carpeting that may be breeding mold or mildew.  Clean the house regularly ensuring dust mites do not build-up.  You do not want the allergies to get worse for it could cause your pup an ear infection if not treated properly.

Talk to a Vet

Talk to a veterinarian about how to treat your dog allergies.  Your vet may recommend a steroidal treatment or an at-home treatment consisting of hypoallergenic shampoos, conditioners and/or ointments.

If you still have questions about how to train your pup not to enter certain points of the yard due to allergic reaction to plants growing in that specific area, then talk to a Florida dog training obedience professional or a k9 obedience professional today.