Owning a dog is a very serious thing and it takes responsibility. It is up to you to provide a healthy and loving environment for your dog. If you know how to get that balance, you’ll do great; you just need the information below.

Always give your dog plenty of attention and affection. When your dog behaves properly, make sure you let the dog know you are happy and give them some affection. This will help reinforce the good behavior and the dog will try to behave in this manner for the positive attention..

Never allow your dog to be alone with small children, no matter how much you trust his temperament. Many little kids have been attacked by family dogs who have otherwise never demonstrated a tendency towards violence. Sleeping dogs may be woken by a toddler and react negatively or some other offense is committed against the animal that sets him off.

Having fresh and clean water available to your dog at all times is a must. Dogs become dangerously dehydrated in a matter of days, so its very important to always have water ready. Dogs will also appreciate water that is clean. If you find it necessary to drink filtered or bottled water because of the quality of water from your tap, then be sure to provide your dog with the same high quality water.

Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. A daily brush will make their coat radiant and shiny. When you brush fur, you’re also spreading around the oils that help keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and healthy.

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Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered. Research suggests that this small thing can give extended life to your dog by reducing cancer risk. In addition, dogs that are spayed or neutered do not have as strong of a desire to wander from their home, meaning that they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car.

Whenever you travel with your pet, don’t skimp on the packing. Of course you need to be well supplied with his food, water and any medications he may be on, but experts advise that you also bring his grooming supplies, vaccination paperwork, tags and an extra leash. Also, bring a flat sheet for when your dog will be on hotel furniture.

Give your dog a lot of love. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. This could lead to trouble down the line. You should mostly focus on praising and petting your dog when you notice a good behavior. When you do this, you’ll see much better behavior from your dog.

Your dog needs healthy teeth and you should brush them regularly. This helps to prevent dental problems and gum disease, but also prevents other illnesses. Infections in the mouth can spread to other areas of the dog’s body, like the kidneys and the heart. Pet stores sell special toothpaste for dogs.

The things you have learned here should help you get things to where they need to be. Alter your life to be sure you and your dog will benefit. Dog ownership is about responsibility, not laziness.