One of the best pets to own is a dog due to its friendliness and loyal nature. However, a new dog needs to be trained as soon as you adopt it. They require proper care along with some training to follow the rules you set for them. The information below will help.

It takes a lot of money to raise a dog. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Also, should an emergency arise, this can cost thousands so you might consider pet health insurance.

You should have your dog spayed or neutered. This helps reduce the probability of cancer and extends the life of your dog. In addition, dogs that are spayed or neutered do not have as strong of a desire to wander from their home, meaning that they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car.

Take some time to become familiar with your canine’s non-verbal language. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. This might result in another dog or a person being bit. Watch out for those non-verbal clues and let your dog guide any actions you perform.

Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Talk with your vet concerning alternative treatments, and do not let small children come near while treating your dog.

Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your dog. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. You should be careful when you are feeding your dog.

Always give your dog lots of praise and hugs when it does something right. You need to reward good behavior. This will teach your dog that praise comes from good behavior.

Never give your dog a real bone to chew on. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. Studies have shown that rawhide bones are good for your dog’s health and their teeth. Don’t give in and let your dog gnaw on real bones. Stick to rawhide.

It is probably clear to you at this point that it is not very hard to care for a dog. It will be a little difficult at first, but the above advice should have you pointed in the right direction. Use what you learned today to help make it easier for you and your furry companion to adjust.