Are you lucky enough to have a misbehaving dog? Do you have a dog who likes to tear up your furniture? It’s time for some behavioral lessons! Read through the article that follows and you should get some solid advice on how to train your pet.

Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.

Neuter or spay the dog. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.

Verbal Cues

Obviously, dogs are unable to sleep. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your canine’s non-verbal cues. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. If you do, someone may get hurt. Look for non-verbal cues and follow what the dog is telling you.

If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog. You should contact your vet right away if your dog swallows some medication.

Be careful with canine flea treatments. 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. 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.

Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. This causes regular begging and will cause him to dislike his food. In fact, a steady supply of scraps may encourage your dog to gain unhealthy amounts of weight and set off serious digestive problems. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.

If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. There are too many distractions there.

Be sure to praise your dog thoroughly any time it behaves correctly, such as sitting when it is time to put their leash on. You want to reinforce your dog’s good behaviors. This also shows the dog that good behavior will earn praise.

If you aren’t sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. Most dog food packages include guidelines but keep in mind that these instructions might not be adapted to your dog. Your vet will give you personalized advice.

Do not leave your dog outdoors for extended periods of time. While this happens quite often, a dog needs interaction during the day. A dog by himself tends to be lonely and not motivated to do anything. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.

If you have one dog that seems lonely or is by himself often, consider another dog. Dogs naturally live in packs, and they are happiest when they are allowed to do so. Giving them some canine companionship can have a very positive effect on their mood and behavior. Find another dog that has the same energy levels and temperament and you’ll be sure to find something your dog will love!

Keep your dog mentally active along with providing him plenty of opportunity to get physical exercise. You can have him fetch things like the paper, or perform other household tasks. This kind of play will make your dog feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.

When you train your dog remember that the end result might be ruined if too many people try to take charge. Training methods vary by person, and multiple trainers can confuse the dog. Pick a single person to be responsible for all training, and let others support the decisions made by demanding the same standards of behavior from the dog.

Take the dog to see the vet often. Dogs must see their vet for full exams, vaccinations and routine testing. Puppies need to go to the vet more often then adult dogs. If your dog seems ill or becomes injured, you must take it to a vet immediately.

Bad dog behaviors days are gone. You won’t have to witness your dog chewing on your favorite shoes or barking at every single person that he sees. If you are consistent and competent, you can control your dog’s behavior. Better your relationship with your dog by using these tips.