There are lots of colloquialisms about how men and dogs are great friends. There’s a lot of truth behind that. If you’re prepared for a pet, you can really build a great relationship. Continue reading to learn more about your responsibilities as a dog owner.

Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. An annual checkup can help catch such issues before they become a major problem.

Since your dog can’t talk to you, it’s crucial that you listen to their non-verbal language. If your dog gets stressed when meeting a new dog or person, don’t force them to meet. You might cause your dog to bite someone or another dog. Pay attention to the posture of the dogs and let them take their time.

If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. This allows you to control how many people are there while the training takes place. The more people there are, the more difficult training will be. It will be very distracting for your pup.

Reward your dog for doing right things, such as sitting while you place it’s food down, with lots of praise and attention. Always make sure your dog knows when they perform a behavior you wish to see repeated. It also reinforces the idea that they will receive attention if they behave as you want them to.

Don’t get sub-par food for your dog that’s from a bargain store. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Use a consumer awareness or animal advocacy group to obtain a list of the best foods that come with the highest recommendations by professionals. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.

Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. Brushing your pup daily will help make their coat shiny. The brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s fur.

Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. Once the nails start to curl under, they can cause your dog a great deal of pain. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, you can take him to the groomers and have them done for very little money.

If you are looking for dog of a particular breed, don’t discount your local pound. A lot of people give their dogs to the pound because they can no longer keep their pet for whatever reason. Simply call your pound and see what they have. This could help you save the life of a dog.

If your dog is lonely, consider a friend for him. Dogs are animals that love to be with other dogs. Match the two dogs by energy levels and temperament, and both dogs will be in heaven!

Exercise is vital when you own a dog. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. This will help your dog to feel like he is helping you out.

Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog’s vet appointments. From thyroid issues to heartworm, your vet can find something wrong which isn’t visible to the naked eye. Annual physicals save dog owners money and saves your pet a lot of undue suffering.

Take your dog for regular vet visits. You need to make sure your pet is caught up on shots, and it’s smart to get tests done for heartworm and other issues. Puppies need to go to the vet more often then adult dogs. Never hesitate to take your dog to the vet if something seems off; remember that your dog can not tell you something is wrong.

You should check your dog for ticks and fleas every day during the summer months. Use a comb for fleas to get rid of them. A number of products are available to control fleas and ticks on your dog. Ask your vet which are best.

When you eat snacks, you might be tempted to offer some to the dog. You can do this with some foods, but not all. Some foods you cannot give your dog are chocolate, grapes, or any caffeine. These types of food are very detrimental to your dog’s health.

The temperature of your dog’s nose is not a good indicator of its health. It is certainly possible for your canine’s nose to feel cold or wet even if an illness is present. Instead, focus on his energy level, bathroom habits, appetite and thirst. These are great indicators of how your pooch is really doing. A dog’s temperature is checked using a rectal thermometer.

When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. Look for cues as to what motivates your dog to learn the quickest. If your dog enjoys food, use small hot dog pieces. Dogs that are more responsive to some play time can be rewarded with a game of catch. Some dogs just like to be shown attention as a reward.

Dogs are awesome. The more you know about them, the more fulfilling your relationship is going to be. This article shared a lot of information, and you should apply it to your life. You can have that best friend you have always wanted.