Is your dog constantly misbehaving? Is your dog a chewer, and just loves chewing on your favorite items without a care in the world? Maybe it’s time to give your dog a lesson in proper behavior. In this article you will find the information you need to turn your dog into a well behaved family member.

Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. Emergency care for animals can cost thousands of collars, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.

A physical is good for you, and a yearly vet trip is good for your dog. Your dog can’t speak to tell you he’s in pain. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.

Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. It could end up with someone getting bit. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.

If you have medication for you or a family member, be certain your dog cannot reach it. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog. If you notice that your dog has consumed any of your medication, you need to immediately contact your vet.

Avoid giving your pup table scraps. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Scraps from the table obesity, digestive problems, or other health issues in dogs. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.

Keep your dog on leash any time he leaves your fenced yard, regardless of his gentle nature and good behavior. You never know when something might spook him or distract him, leading to devastation. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.

The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.

If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. He might not want to wear that cone on his neck and head, but it’s there for a real reason! Your veterinarian only has your dog’s best interests at heart, and if you don’t listen, you may inadvertently cause your dog harm.

Show the dog that he is loved. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. That could be real trouble with the dog. Dogs need to be praised five times more frequently than scolding. Your dog is going to behave much more if you do that.

Always make an annual checkup appointment for your dog. The vet can detect things like diabetes, thyroid problems and kidney issues long before you see the signs of them. This saves you money on vet bills later on, or heartache from your pet’s suffering.

Clean up completely if your dog uses the bathroom on your floor. Use a product specifically designed to clean and remove pet odors. If you still smell poop, your dog will too and might strike again.

Choosing a dog food needs to be done with great consideration. There are a lot of foods out there, but you have to choose foods that are right for the size and age of your particular dog. When you give your dog leftovers to save money, you have to make sure your dog is getting the right nutrients and vitamins.

When choosing an animal to cohabitate with an existing one, try to arrange an introduction before deciding. While dogs are social instinctively, certain breeds and temperaments get along better with others. If you find a dog that is compatible right away, you’ll save yourself some difficulties later.

It often feels right and natural to offer your faithful canine buddy a morsel of whatever treat you’re enjoying. There are certain human foods that should not be fed to a dog. Dogs are not able to tolerate grapes, chocolate and anything with caffeine, for instance. Foods such as these can do a lot of harm to your dogs health.

Even outdoor dogs require lots of love and attention. If you leave him by himself and without stimulation for extended periods of time, he might decide to dig holes, bark loudly and excessively or chew on wires, ropes and hoses. He could also become aggressive. Lavish attention and love on him.

Stick to your guns. Most dog owners think that letting it slide “this time” is okay, even for a major rules infraction. Not even if he has those big puppy dog eyes! But, when you’re tough on your dog, less accidents will occur. For example, you may not mind giving your dog scraps when you’re done, but if you aren’t careful, your dog may think it’s okay to jump up and take an entire steak off your plate!

Wash the water and food bowls for your dog often. Just like you do not want to continuously eat and drink from bowls that are not very clean, your dog doesn’t either. You should wash your dog bowls every day.

Your dog’s unwanted behavior should stop soon. Dog’s should not be destroying furniture around the house. The answer to your dog’s issues rest with you, the owner. The article above can help you to give your dog just what he needs.