Owning a dog can be quite joyful. To enjoy the time you spend with your pet, you need the right information. The following tips will help you be an informed pet owner.

While it’s great to show your dog affection, you shouldn’t kiss them. Dog kisses are very unsanitary. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It’s just a myth that your dog’s mouth is just as, or cleaner, than yours. Definitely do not believe that!

If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. Training a dog in a very populated area is never a good idea. It will be very distracting for your pup.

It can be really helpful to incorporate hand signals with verbal commands when first training your dog. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.

Talk to your vet about appropriate nutrition for your canine. Many people look at the guidelines on the dog food bag; the problem with this is that some of the recommendations may be inaccurate and could cause your dog to gain weight. Speak with your vet and work out an appropriate eating plan for your dog.

Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing shelter.

Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. When they start curling under, the dog runs the risk of experiencing pain. It is easy to keep nails trimmed with simple implements available at pet stores. If you can’t do it by yourself, you might want to try the groomers; it does not cost a lot.;

When it is time to buy dog food, avoid buying the cheapest brand. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. Though better brands cost more, it is worth it to know your dog is receiving the nutrients it needs.

You can find many types of dogs at the pound, even pure breeds. Unfortunately there are many people out there who simply cannot care for their dogs anymore and they end up at the local pound. Call the pound to see what they have available. You could save a dog’s life by doing so!

If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. The noise will keep him company and make him feel a little more secure. Doing this might help your dog get past its anxiety while it awaits your return.

Make sure your dog comes back to you by ensuring that they have some form of identification. A common way to find a lost dog is to ensure it has a collar with an ID tag. The tag should let people know what your dog’s name is along with your contact information. Additionally, you can put a micro-chip on your dog.

Remember the expression “Too many cooks spoil the soup” when training your dog. Everyone trains differently, and this can lead to confusion for your dog. You should have one person take charge of the training procedure, and then ask everyone else to follow their lead once the dog has learned a few simple commands. This allows for consistency that is least likely to confuse your pet.

Don’t skip your dog’s annual checkup. The vet will be able to spot signs of diabetes, thyroid issues and kidney trouble a while before your dog shows any signs. In the long run, annual check-ups save the owner a lot of money and prevent the dog from a lot of unneeded suffering.

It’s not that unusual for dogs to cut themselves after stepping on discarded debris or broken glass. If your dog suffers a cut, clean it with antiseptic and bandage the wound. Go to a vet if it seems like the cut is very deep.

A dog should always be brought to the vet for regular checkups. An annual check-up should include blood tests and any needed booster shots. You will have more frequent vet visits if you have a puppy. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.

There is a lot to being a good, responsible dog owner. Picking out a new puppy to be your companion is the easy part. You must work at the relationship for it to work. Use the tips you just read to properly train your dog and make sure it is happy.