Dogs are known for being great companions. Some say that they’re better friends than humans. It is vital for all pet owners to know how to take good care of their pets and keep them in tip-top shape. Below you will find some great advice and solid information to get started.

It costs a lot of money to own a dog. High quality dog food, medical care, toys and treats can easily run close to $1,000 in a year. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.

Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered. This helps reduce the probability of cancer and extends the life of your dog. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.

Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. This will make it more difficult for your dog to pay attention.

No matter how nicely your dog behaves, never take it off your property unless it is on a leash. Wild animals can get his attention and cause him to run out into the street, or a provocation could startle him and cause unpleasantness with other dogs or people. Ultimately, you’re the one who’s responsible for your dog’s safety, as well as its actions.

Talk to the vet about which foods you should avoid giving the dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to handle particular foods, which may cause stomach issues. Be cautious of what you feed your dog.

If you aren’t sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. Although some dog owners stick to the recommended guidelines on the dog food, these guidelines can often be too much for your dog, which can lead to obesity. Check with you vet to find out about the feeding guidelines for your particular dog.

Plenty of physical activity is one of your dog’s necessities. Exercise and play are necessary for a dog. They keep the dog fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Not only will your dog benefit from exercise, you will as well. It gives you exercise and helps develop a relationship that will last forever with your dog.

Take your new dog to the vet. This should be one of the first things that you attend to when you’re bringing home a new pet. The vet will examine your dog. You also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog if you will not be breeding him.

Your dog needs attention and shouldn’t be left alone outdoors all day. Even though a lot of people tend to do this, a dog requires human interaction to feel good. Dogs become lonely. Also, they could be bitten by ticks, hurt by other animals or even abducted.

Avoid matting on your dog’s paws by keeping the hair on them trimmed. Clean and comb the hair before you trim it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.

Keep your dog mentally active along with providing him plenty of opportunity to get physical exercise. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. He can feel useful and like a family member, and continuing to train him will keep his mind sharp.

Make sure that your female dog is contained well if she’s in heat. This will help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. A male can pick up on her scent from as far as five miles away! Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.

When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. If the other people who help you train your dog are not consistent with what you started teaching, your dog will have a hard time. Therefore, ensure that only one person is doing the training. The other people should only reinforce the person’s rules and stick by them.

Schedule a visit to the vet for your dog on a regular basis. You must keep up with vaccinations, heartworm testing and physical exams for your dog. A puppy requires more constant vet visits. You need to go to the vet as soon as your dog seems sick or hurt.

If you have a dog but are thinking of getting another one, try to get the two to meet. Dogs are quite social, but sometimes two particular dogs just are not compatible with each other. Find a dog that your current dog gets along with.

Are you aware of the fact that some vitamins might hurt your dog? If your dog’s already getting the nutrients that it needs, you won’t need to add vitamins to its diet. Too much of some vitamins can cause injury to the bones, joints and blood vessels. Have a conversation with your veterinarian before adding any vitamins to your dog’s diet.

When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. Determine what motivates your dog to obey. If food is the motivator, use hot dog pieces as a reward. On the other hand, if your dog enjoys playing with toys, provide him with a new toy whenever he behaves. Certain dogs just need love and affection whenever they behave.

You need to provide your dog with shade and water during the summer. Dogs tend to get overheated easily. Provide a shady, cooler place for them to relax. You should also ensure that your dog can get plenty of clean, cool water. You don’t want your dog to develop skin cancer, either, so pick up some sunscreen for dogs!

Dog ownership has many benefits and can create great friendships. If you are thinking about getting a dog, you should learn as much as you can about it. This article will have provided you with a great resource for tips and advice.