Dogs are known for being great companions. Some say that they’re better friends than humans. With all the love and affection they give to their owners, dogs deserve to be treated with the utmost responsibility and care for their well-being. The piece below is an ideal starting point.

Just as you need to keep up with your annual doctor’s appointment, your dog needs to see his vet annually too. Dogs can’t talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? A yearly checkup will help you find any problems before they become huge issues.

If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.

Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. On the other hand, if you are the type of person to sit at home, you need a smaller breed that will enjoy lounging around with you. When you find the perfect match, you’ll both be happier!

Don’t force your dog to do anything. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it. When you get your dog you should spend some time with it to learn exactly what kinds of things it enjoys.

Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.

Make sure that your dog receives plenty of exercise. Dogs need routine activity and play in order to stay happy and healthy. No matter what, whether throwing their ball or taking a long walk, you’ll both benefit from it. Exercising with your dog will help you establish a bond with it.

Becoming a foster for a dog will help you decide if dog ownership is right for you. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. You can foster one to help out the cause and find out if you want to keep one!

Give your dog plenty of love. As with most things, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This causes problems with dog behavior. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. Your dog is much more likely to showcase the proper behavior if you do so.

Be cautious with your female dog if she’s in heat. If you don’t, she may become pregnant. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. This could also lead to unplanned pregnancy, or cause other dogs in the area to fight.

Always make sure to keep your dog’s annual vet visits. The vet can detect things like diabetes, thyroid problems and kidney issues long before you see the signs of them. An annual check-up for your pet can help to avoid future expense and needless suffering for your dog.

Dogs will commonly get cut when they’re walking because of the various debris on the ground. If you find a small cut on your dog, wash it with antiseptic fluid and bandage that area. See a vet if they have a deep cut.

If your dog happens to have an accident in the house, make sure you remove all traces of it. A combination of an industrial strength cleaner preceding an odor remover is effective. If the scent from his excrement remains behind, your dog may be inclined to soil in the same area again and again.

You should check your dog for ticks and fleas every day during the summer months. If you find fleas, use a flea comb and get rid of them. There are a lot of products that can assist you with fleas and ticks. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and tick remedies.

Make sure you select dog food very carefully. There are a variety of kinds of dog food on the market; you should choose something that is age and size appropriate. It’s also tempting to feed your dog foods that humans eat, but your dog isn’t human and needs dog food that contain the nutrients that a dog needs.

If you’re having a snack, you may feel like it would be okay to give your dog a bite. Certain foods are fine, but other are not very good for dogs. Grapes, chocolate, and caffeine are all things that you should never give your pup. Foods like these can cause huge medical problems.

Try out a variety of rewards when training. Take the time to learn what will motivate your pet the most. Pieces of sausage or tasty dog treats will work for a dog that is motivated by food. If he likes to play, engage him in a game when he successfully performs the action you are looking for. Quality time spent giving them a good petting can even do the trick.

Take some precautions for your dog when it’s hot out. Dogs get overheated quite easily. Reserve a cool and shady area for your dog to hang out. Be sure your dog can get to clean, cool water at all times. Additionally, the sun can affect your dog, but you can get doggie sunscreen.

Dog ownership undoubtedly offers lots of benefits, including true friendship. The best thing to do is to spend time learning about all of the things your dog may need. Take what you’ve just learned to heart, and enjoy the life of your dog.