According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 48 million households own a dog. This works out to almost 40 percent of Americans.

People around the world love dogs, and it isn’t hard to see why. Dogs descend from pack animals and will bond with those around them. While dogs often become beloved members of our families, they’re sometimes expensive members of our families.

Between adoption fees, food, vet bills, and everything else, the cost of owning a dog can be significant. That’s why we recommend people look into the cost of owning a dog before getting one. We’ll go into more detail about that in this article.

Getting a Dog

The first expense to consider with dog ownership is how much it costs to bring a dog home. Depending on where you go, the cost can be less than $100 to several hundred.

Pets are one of the rare cases where the affordable option is also the best. Adopting a shelter pet isn’t just cheaper, but it gives animals who have lost their owners and families a second chance.

Adopting a shelter pet is better than adopting from a pet store because pet stores are often supplied by puppy mills.

Pet Insurance

We recommend investing in pet insurance any time you bring home an animal. Animals, like humans, aren’t perfect and require medical attention every now and then. Even if it’s just for routine check-ups every now and then, vet bills tend to add up.

Pet insurance covers at least some of these bills, which will save you a lot of money. If you’re looking for affordable pet insurance plans, we know where to find them.

Basic Care

A dog is a living being, which means that it has needs just like we do. You’ll need to give your dog food and water, take it on walks, wash it once in a while, etc.

This doesn’t seem like much in the short run, but it does add up. Basic care for your dog could add up to a few hundred dollars per year. Since these expenses don’t all come at once, they’re not as hard to pay as vet bills or insurance.

Medical Needs

Veterinary appointments do happen and can be expensive, but not every medical expense is going to be a vet bill. In many cases, it’s a matter of getting a vaccine, flea treatments, or anti-worm medications.

The total cost of owning a dog will range from several hundred to a few thousand per year.

Cost of Owning a Dog

Calculating the total cost of owning a dog is difficult because there are so many different factors that play into it. Some dogs will need more medical care than others. Some might need obedience school, while others don’t.

These are just a few factors that might come into play when determining the cost of a dog. We’ve discussed some of the other factors here, but there’s always more to learn.

If you want to know more about pets, technology, and many other topics, please read our blog.

Did you recently add a furry little friend to your home?

While puppies are adorable, they’re also a lot of work. If you’re a first-time owner, you may be tired of your dog running rampant through your house.

But the good news is that you’re on the right track! Puppy training doesn’t have to be difficult with the right strategies and tips. Whatever stage of puppy training you’re in, we’ve got you covered.

With that said, let’s dive into our puppy training tips for owners.

Establish Rules and Boundaries

This is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your pup gets the correct training and understands expectations. If done correctly, these rules will not only help your pup fit into the family but also give them the guidance they need to be a safe and well-mannered dog.

At first, start with rules like no jumping, no chewing, no unnecessary barking, and no begging. Explain the consequences to your pup after they break a rule and remain consistent with the training. Try to introduce the rules at the same time and encourage training treats as rewards for good behavior.

Choose the Right Training Method

One of the most important training tips for first-time owners is to choose the right method for their new puppy. For instance, when it comes to teaching play dead training for dog, positive reinforcement-based methods work best. This means that if the pup performs the play dead command correctly, it will be rewarded with praise, treats, and/or toys.

This reinforces the behavior since the pup associates their action with something pleasurable. It is also important to keep practice sessions short but frequent and to stop the practice session if you notice your pup getting frustrated or tired. This will ensure that the pup does not become overwhelmed and has positive reinforcement for every success.

Create a Consistent Schedule

Establishing a schedule can also help regulate behaviors and control stress levels for the first puppy. Feeding the pup at the same time every day, and taking them out for potty breaks regularly can help set these necessary expectations.

Scheduling playtime and training sessions with the pup can also help keep them active and learning. With a consistent training schedule, it is important not to let any breaks become too long, to not confuse the pup and fall out of routine.

Understand Puppy Behavioral Patterns

Knowing what behaviors to expect from your pup in certain situations can help you anticipate and prepare for them. This means they can be corrected as soon as possible, keeping them from becoming habits that could be difficult to break.

For instance, if you know puppies can be destructive when left alone, you could provide appropriate toys for them before you go, or consider taking them for regular walks. You can also spot and correct housebreaking mistakes before they become set in stone, resulting in fewer accidents in the future.

Puppy Training Tips Every New Dog Owner Needs to Know

Puppy training can seem daunting for first-time owners, however with the right techniques and patience, teaching puppies good behaviors can be rewarding and easy. Research specific breeds and their behaviors to best understand the pup and provide plenty of positive reinforcement for their successes.

With dedication and commitment, puppy training for first-time owners is achievable. Try implementing these puppy training tips today and see the results!

Do you now have a better understanding of puppy training? If you do, remember to take a look at some of our other blog posts for tons of other great guides and tips.

Dogs are often seen as playful, happy, and loving animals. While this is true most of the time, dogs can suffer from anxiety just like humans do.

Anxious dogs can struggle with how to behave, and even struggle to deal with normal tasks. Anxious dogs can contribute to an increase in household stress and anxiety, so recognizing the signs can help you figure out how to best help your dog.

Read on to learn more about the signs you have an anxious dog.

1. Uncontrolled Barking

One of the primary signs of an anxious dog is uncontrolled barking. An anxious pup will bark excessively, often in response to loud noises or other environmental stimuli. They may bark when left alone, as an expression of anxiety or lack of companionship.

It might be time to consider booking a consultation to train them to better cope with their anxiety. Patience, understanding, and consistency will be required when training a dog with anxiety. Anxiety affects each dog differently, so a pet owner needs to determine the source of the anxiety.

2. Excessive Drooling and Panting

One of the most common signs of anxiety in dogs is excessive drooling and panting. When a dog is feeling overly anxious, it may drool or pant more than normal, as its body is attempting to regulate its breathing and cool down their body.

Panting can also be a result of fear, as a dog’s muscles tense up when they’re scared or worried. Of course, dogs are also known to drool in anticipation of food, but if this becomes excessive and outside of the realm of normal behavior, it’s a sign of anxiety.

3. Circle Around Same Area Over and Over

One telltale sign your dog may have anxiety is if they start to circle the same area over and over. This can be quite common and is often observed in dogs who are older or ones that are new to their environment.

It could be a sign of them trying to create a sense of comfort and security in the environment or an instinctual act to mark their territory. Paying close attention to their behaviors and monitoring for changes can help you detect anxiety and address it.

4. Lost Interest in Playing

Pets with anxiety have decreased interest in playing or other activities that they usually enjoy. If your dog seems to have low energy, refuses to go for walks, and shows little to no interest in things that normally bring them joy, such as going to the park or playing with their toys, these are potential indicators of anxiety.

5. Anxious in the Presence of a New Person

If your dog tends to be nervous in the presence of unfamiliar people, that’s the most obvious sign of an anxious dog. They may bark or cower away, or they may be completely unresponsive.

Watch their body language for signs such as flattening ears, eyes growing wide, or a tucked tail. Pay attention to these behaviors and consult with a veterinarian to help your nervous pup feel more at ease.

Dealing With Your Anxious Dog

An anxious dog can be difficult to spot and can go unnoticed. If you think your dog may be experiencing anxiety, look out for the signs detailed in this article. If you believe your pet may need extra attention, reach out to a dog trainer to help you get your pup back on the path to good health.

It’s important to seek help early to ensure your canine companion is healthy and happy.

If this article has helped you, check out our other blogs!