Dog ownership can be a joyful experience, but only if you know how to be a responsible owner. You need to learn a few things in order to properly care for your dog. In this article, you’ll find suggestions that will help you become a better dog owner.

It costs a lot to own a dog. You will have to spend between $700 and $1000 a year to cover food and medical expenses. Pet health insurance can help; although you will pay a monthly or yearly fee, you will often be covered if a big medical emergency occurs for your pet.

Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.

Since your dog cannot talk to you, you have to learn how to listen to your dog’s non-verbal language. If you notice that your dog is timid around strangers or other dogs, you shouldn’t attempt to force its interaction with them. This could cause the dog to bite. Look for your dog’s non verbal cues and react accordingly.

Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Talk to your veterinarian about the safest options, and don’t let your kids near the dog while you’re doing a treatment.

Practice training your dog in your house or yard. It is not a good idea to train them in areas where a lot of people are present. Distractions occur, making it difficult to get your dog to focus on basic commands.

When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Not every dog will learn the same, so try different techniques with your dog.

Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.

Avoid the bargain brands of pet food. Cheap dog food contains lots of preservatives and additives that your dog doesn’t need. Professional associations and dog advocacy groups may offer lists of the highest quality foods available. Your dog will appreciate your research.

Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. It has been shown that rawhide bones are safe and great for their teeth, so be sure to not give your dog that ham bone next time.

If your dog has to stay outside during cold weather, give him a dog house. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing him the dry shelter he needs.

A daily brush will do much more than prevent your dog from constant shedding. Brushing keeps the coat shiny and healthy. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.

When choosing an animal to cohabitate with an existing one, try to arrange an introduction before deciding. Dogs are social creatures, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. Having dogs that get along with each other makes your life that much easier.

Take precautions for your dog during the hot summer months. It is easy for dogs to overheat. Make sure your dog has a cool and shaded area during the summer. Make sure the dog has ready access to cool, clean water. In addition, dogs are affected by the sun’s rays, so ask your vet about doggie sunscreens.

Don’t be afraid to be stern when disciplining your dog for bad behavior. Dog owners often feel that it is no big deal to sneak foods to their pets or allow them to destroy certain toys. This is often true with dogs that are particularly adorable. This will prevent accidents from occurring in the future. For instance, you may give your dog your food when eating, but he will come to think they can jump on the table and steal your whole steak.

A lot goes into taking care of dogs and being a great owner of your pet. Picking out a new puppy to be your companion is the easy part. Caring for your dog is a lot of work. Utilize the excellent knowledge provided here to ensure you maximize your enjoyment of your dog.