Would you like to save a dog from the pound? Are you interested in getting a purebred dog directly from a breeder? From a mutt to a show dog, they’ll all bring you love. A lot of responsibility is involved, and reading this will help you understand what you can expect.

You must dog-proof your residence. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.

You should not kiss your dog. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. This is completely wrong!

Your dog speaks to you, but it is through non-verbal cues. Your job is to learn to listen carefully so you understand the message. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. One of the animals could become aggressive. So pay attention to your dog’s demeanor and make your judgement from these cues.

Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. It is not a good idea to train them in areas where a lot of people are present. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.

Try hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands when training your dog. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.

Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Use a comb and a small pair of scissors for this task. If you’d prefer, you could have a groomer do this for you.

If your dog seems lonely or seems to have separation anxiety, leave the radio or a CD on when you leave the house. That helps the dog feel like someone is around. That might work to appease his anxiety during the time you aren’t home.

If your female dog is in heat be cautious – she could very easily become pregnant. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. This could also lead to unplanned pregnancy, or cause other dogs in the area to fight.

Be sure your dog wears identification so it can always get back home. Purchase a dog tag so your dog has identification. Your dog’s name and your contact info should appear on the tag. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.

Now that you know how to take great care of a dog, it’s time for your new companion to come home with you! There will always be things you don’t know, so don’t stop learning. Join online forums and mailing lists to talk to other owners. Gaining knowledge can last a lifetime, so keep going!