Is the range of dog food available at your store not to your satisfaction? Are you confused about what your dog’s diet should consist of, as well as other questions related to his care? Take this information and use it to help you be responsible. You can do a great job as a dog owner yourself; just take a look at the hints below.

You should not kiss your dog. Dog kisses are adorable, but your dog’s mouth is really dirty. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog’s body parts. It is folk wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a humans. However, this simply is not the case.

Take some time to become familiar with your canine’s non-verbal language. If your dog seems hesitant when meeting another person or dog, do not force them to interact. This may lead to someone getting bitten. You need to keep your eyes open for these signs.

If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Your dog could be seriously injured or killed by ingesting a couple of small pills. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.

Be careful with canine flea treatments. Some treatments contain dangerous ingredients that may put your kids at risk for diseases like cancer. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian, and see if he has more holistic treatment options that might help to keep your pet free from fleas and your family safe.

Speak with your vet to see how much you’re going to have to feed your dog daily. Some people feed the dog based on their food package recommendations, but these can be wrong and cause them to be overweight. Talk to your vet about what is acceptable and what your dog’s particular needs are.

Correct your dog’s bad behavior immediately. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. In addition, by not taking action, your dog may injure another person, even you. Therefore, ensure you discipline your dog.

Giving your dog a good brush every day will definitely do more than lower their amount of shedding. Brushing keeps the coat shiny and healthy. Brushing helps evenly distribute the oils in the fur and skin, which keeps things looking shiny, healthy and soft.

Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. The nails can cause the dog discomfort if they start to curl under. Try trimming them with scissors you buy at the store. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, you can take him to the groomers and have them done for very little money.

Don’t leave your dog outside all day long. Lots of folks do this, but it’s bad because dogs need constant attention. A dog by himself tends to be lonely and not motivated to do anything. You need to bring your dog inside the house when it is inclement weather outside.

Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health issues. Research his ancestry and take steps to prevent problems he might be prone to. Your vet will be able to tell you how you can help your pet prevent illness that it is prone to getting.

When seeking pure bred dogs, you shouldn’t automatically rule out pounds. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. Contact your pound and ask them what breeds are currently there. You can save the life of a dog this way.

If your dog spends a lot of time alone, think seriously about adding a second animal to your family. Because dogs typically run in packs, they typically love being around other canines. Match them carefully by energy levels and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.

Make sure that your female dog is contained well if she’s in heat. This will help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Males can smell a female’s scent from a full five miles away. She might instigate problems with fellow dogs, as well as getting pregnant with an unknown mate.

Your dog doesn’t have to eat store-bought dog food. There are a lot more dog foods than what you see in the grocery store. Keep these tips in mind for your dog.