Want to rescue a dog? Or maybe you want to get a dog that is purebred. Getting a dog will give you endless amounts of love, whether it be mutt or show dog. That said, it comes with a great deal of responsibility too, so read this article in full to learn what lies ahead.

While you can hug your dog, you should avoid kissing your dog. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. Definitely do not believe that!

Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Even the best dog owner will find it difficult or impossible to detect the first signs of health troubles, like a tooth infection or arthritic joints. Bringing your dog to the vet each year can help stop these health issues from becoming a huge problem.

Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered. A neutered dog will live longer and have less risks of developing 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.

Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. You’re responsible for everything your dog does, and for his safety. as well.

Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. It costs more, but you’ll save money on vet bills for health issues down the road.

Trim all hair surrounding the dog’s paws so that it does not become matted. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, a professional can always step in to help.

You can find many types of dogs at the pound, even pure breeds. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Call the shelter to find out which dogs they have available. You could possibly be saving a dog’s life in the process.

Let your dog feel the love that you have for him. Similar to other areas of life, dog owners notice a dog’s bad behavior rather than the good. This may spell trouble in the future. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. He’ll behave better more often this way.

It is important that your dog is equipped with some kind of ID. One way to do this is to always have your dog wear a collar, and ensure that the collar has an identification tag attached. The tag needs to have your name and phone number on it. A micro-chip can also be installed on your dog.

Make sure you make and keep yearly vet appointments for your dog. From thyroid issues to heartworm, your vet can find something wrong which isn’t visible to the naked eye. This means reduced medical expenses for you in the long run, and it can also save your dog from a lot of pain and suffering.

If your pet slips up and uses the bathroom in your home, be sure to remove every trace of the mess. You must make use of an effective cleaner and a strong odor remover. If the scent from his excrement remains behind, your dog may be inclined to soil in the same area again and again.

When you select food for your dog, do so with care. 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. You might think that you can save money by feeding your dog table scraps, but this is very unhealthy.

When you’re snacking, you might be tempted to let your dog snack too. While some foods are fine for sharing with your dog, there are some that must be avoided. Dogs are not able to tolerate grapes, chocolate and anything with caffeine, for instance. They can cause illnesses and, in some cases, even death, and your dog will not benefit by receiving them.

During the summer, you need to be careful about leaving your dogs outside. It’s easy for dogs to overheat. You should have a cool, shady place they for them to go in the summer. Be sure that your pet always has cold and clean water to drink. The dog can also be sensitive to the sun, so talk to your veterinarian about dog sunscreen.

Clean your dog’s water and food bowls regularly. Dogs require a clean environment to drink from just like humans. Be sure to wash your dog’s bowls daily and provide fresh, clean food and water.

This article has provided you with an understanding of what your dog will need, so go find your new pup! Always be open to new information about dog ownership, and learn from your dog as well. A great place to discuss your dog with other dog lovers would be an online forum. Learning is something that you should always try to do.