There is nothing like a dog if you want affection, love, and loyalty. Dogs can be great family pets or great pets for people living alone. If you’re wanting to care for your dog better, the tips that follow can help.

Always have your dogs spayed or neutered. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.

Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you’re applying any flea treatment.

If your puppy or dog is constantly chewing up your furniture, invest in some chew-toys. Scatter them around the floor, especially around the legs of the sofa and end-tables. Be enthusiastic about your offers to play with the chewies with your dog to encourage frequent use. This should eventually deter him from chomping your furniture.

Take your dog to the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you don’t need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the road.

Pet

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

Your dog has teeth just like you, so it makes sense that he needs proper dental care. Invest in a dog toothbrush and brush his teeth often. Simply allowing the vet to do it at his regular checkups is not enough. You can also purchase treats that are specifically meant to help with your pet’s teeth.

If your dog is still getting used to the grooming process, only work with him or her in short bursts. Groom for about five minutes and then stop and move on to another activity. Eventually, start adding on two or three minutes to your total grooming time until your pet is able to handle a full session.

When preparing to groom your pet, start the session off on the right foot by helping your dog relax. Spend a few minutes simply petting him, starting with the head and then rubbing the back, paws, belly and even tail. Once you feel your dog is happy and content, begin grooming him.

There are many things to consider when planning excellent canine care. It is not as easy as just feeding it or taking it for a walk. Caring for your dog is of the utmost importance, and one in which you will need to learn. You will have many great years with your dog if you learn how to care for them properly.