In Theory and Practice: The Solutions to 5 Problems That Dog Owners Most Commonly Face

Owning dogs brings pet owners a good deal of joy, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. It won’t be all fun and games, but with the right resources, dog owners can eliminate a lot of stress and headaches. Read on to find out about five of the most common problems that dog owners face and the appropriate solutions for them.

Going Out of Town

Most dog owners go out of their way to plan pet-friendly vacations, but it’s just not always possible to bring your furry friends along while traveling. When owners need to head out of town on business trips or want to plan vacations abroad, they need to make accommodations for their pets’ care. This problem can be resolved with Long Term Dog Boarding. Dog boarding gives pet parents peace of mind and reduces issues like separation anxiety.

Training and Behavioral Issues

The best way to avoid behavioral issues is to get new dogs, especially puppies, enrolled in a training course as early as possible. Behavioral problems vary from compulsive chewing to excessive barking, and more. Some of these problems can be resolved with adequate training, while others require more creative solutions. When in doubt about the best actions to take, talk to a professional dog trainer.

Vet Bills

Puppies need to visit the vet frequently for vaccinations, and even healthy adult dogs will at least need to undergo a professional well-pet exam at least once per year. As they get older, many dogs also develop more serious health problems. Pet owners can save money on vet bills by taking out a pet insurance policy. You can find out more about pet insurance by visiting Pumpkin Pet Insurance.

Potty Training

Young puppies and adult dogs that have never lived inside need to be housebroken. The best way to go about potty training a new dog is to crate train the dog first, then introduce the dog to other parts of the house slowly with plenty of supervision. Never use physical punishments in response to potty training accidents. It won’t teach the animal anything but to be afraid of his or her owner.

Getting Everyone on the Same Page

Training a new dog requires a lot of time, patience, and work. Consistency is key, so it’s very important for everyone in the household to be on the same page. If a dog’s primary owner is trying to teach him or her not to jump on people, but everyone else in the house encourages the behavior by offering attention and praise, the dog won’t learn that jumping is bad.

Make sure to set out clear rules from day one. These rules could include not feeding the dog while everyone is eating dinner and not encouraging behaviors like jumping on people or getting up on the furniture. If everyone isn’t on the same page, the dog will get confused and won’t understand what his or her owners expect, which makes it next to impossible to train the animal.

The Bottom Line

Buying a dog is exciting, but new pet owners need to make sure they and their families are prepared to take on the responsibilities that come with dog ownership. Look into local options for boarding facilities, trainers, veterinarians, and other care providers in advance and either take out a pet insurance policy or put some money aside to pay for vaccines, well-pet visits, and medical care.