Is your dog disobedient? Does he like to chew on your socks? 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.

Make sure that your home is safe for your dog. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.

Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds true for over-the-counter meds. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog swallows any pills.

Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. Your dog is your responsibility.

Make use of hand signals when training your dog versus relying only on verbal commands. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Test out both methods to see which works for you.

Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. You want to reinforce your dog’s good behaviors. This also shows the dog that good behavior will earn praise.

Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Real bones can break into pieces that can then become dangerous due to how sharp and small they can be. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.

Get a dog house if you have a dog that you leave outside, in case the weather gets bad. If his feet are wet, extreme temperatures can be stressful and bad for his health. Give him a place that has dry floors and a lot of room.

Don’t try forcing anything into your dog. If you offer him a treat he doesn’t seem to like, do not make him eat it. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Take some time to trim your dog’s paw beds during every grooming session. This can help prevent mats. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.

Dog Feel

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, or you simply want to be extra nice to him, leave some music on when you go to work. The sounds help your dog feel like others are still home and help your dog feel more secure. This little touch can help your dog feel less anxious as he awaits your return.

Choose your dog’s food carefully. There are many options, but you should match your dog to food that was made for his age and size. Serving table scraps to your dog may be cost effective, but it does not provide a balanced and healthy diet for your dog.

Were you aware that some vitamins could hurt your dog? A balanced diet may be all that your dog needs. Certain vitamins can be overdosed and result in damaged joints, bones and blood vessels. Consult with your vet before starting your dog on a regimen of vitamins.

Try out a variety of rewards when training. Trying different techniques can help you find one that really clicks with your dog’s learning style. Some pets enjoy getting treats when they do well. If you have a dog that likes toys, let the dog play tug of war after doing what it was told. You may even find that your dog is best motivated by a little rubdown and affection.

Bad dog behaviors days are gone. It is best to make sure your dog is both healthy and happy. The answer to your dog’s issues rest with you, the owner. Use everything you have learned to teach your dog the best way to behave.