Would you like to save one of the precious pound puppies? Would you prefer a pure breed? Whether you want a show dog or a loving old mutt, bringing a dog into your life will supply you with hours of love. That said, it comes with a great deal of responsibility too, so read this article in full to learn what lies ahead.

You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Even the best dog owner will find it difficult or impossible to detect the first signs of health troubles, like a tooth infection or arthritic joints. Regular checkups will assure these issues are caught before they turn into something big.

Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Research suggests that this small thing can give extended life to your dog by reducing cancer risk. Dogs who have been neutered or spayed are also less likely to run or wander away from home.

When vacationing with your dog, use the camera on your phone to snap a quick picture. Therefore, if your animals get lost, there is a recent photo that can be used for the purpose of locating them.

If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog. You should contact your vet right away if your dog swallows some medication.

Watch out for dog flea treatments. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian, and see if he has more holistic treatment options that might help to keep your pet free from fleas and your family safe.

Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. Doing so teaches it to beg and ruins its appetite for its regular food. Scraps from the table obesity, digestive problems, or other health issues in dogs. You need to make sure your dog is not near the dinner table. This will make it easier for your pet (and you!) to avoid temptation.

When training a dog, practice in the yard or your home. This prevents some of the problems that are associated with training around a lot of other people. Distractions occur, making it difficult to get your dog to focus on basic commands.

Use hand signals when training your dog along with verbal commands. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Try both methods to see which your dog prefers.

Ask the vet about how much the dog should eat each day. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog’s specific needs are.

Don’t buy cheap dog food. Generally, food that is less expensive is not as healthy for your pet due to preservatives and additives put into the food. Find an advocacy group that can provide you with a list of vet recommended foods. Higher quality dog food will offer your dog many health benefits.

Don’t ever give your dog bones. Real bones can chip and become lodged in harmful place such as the digestive tract. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog’s teeth.

Properly teach your dog how to walk with a leash. Your pet shouldn’t be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn’t by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say “heel”. Walking this way will help to keep your pet safe, and it will make it easier for you to enjoy walks too. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, teaching your dog to heel remains an important task as a pet owner.

You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you’re not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. Many abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting for adoptions, but there is a lot of overcrowding and many resources are scarce. Lend a hand by fostering a dog, and determine if it is a good fit for you and your family.

Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.

Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. Most of the time you are paying attention to the very bad things they do and overlooking the good. With dogs, this can lead to trouble. Instead make it a habit to praise your dog much more often than any scolding. Make it five times to any one. Your dog is going to behave much more if you do that.

If your dog seems unhappy and is alone a lot, consider getting a second dog. Dogs are usually in packs by nature and this means they enjoy being around one another. By choosing another dog that matches your pup’s energy level and temperament, you’ll ensure that your dogs will be great companions for each other.

You should now be aware of what needs to be done to give your dog the best care, so you can bring your new pooch home now. Keep learning new ideas about caring for your dogs online. A great place to discuss your dog with other dog lovers would be an online forum. Learning never stops, so keep reading.