If you feel like your life could use a little more unconditional love, putting a dog in the picture could be the answer. Dogs are great family companions and also companions of people that live alone. Follow the tips below to learn a better way to care for your dog.

Make sure your home is dog-proof. This should be done before the dog shows up at your home. Put all medication and cleaning supplies away, and keep your indoor trash can inside a cabinet. Some indoor plants are poisonous, so put them high up.

Use flea treatments with caution. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.

Dog training should take place on your property. It is not a good idea to train them in areas where a lot of people are present. Distraction ensues, and it is harder to get your dog to focus on basic commands.

Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. Different breeds and stages of development might mean that certain brands and types of food cause an upset stomach. Be careful when it comes to what you feed your pet.

Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. You want to let your dog know that the behavior is something that you want to see. It will show your dog that doing the right thing will earn him praise from you.

Avoid cheap dog food. Cheap brands are full of fillers, preservative and even chemicals. You can get a list of veterinarian-recommended foods from your vet or from animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness groups. Your dog will thank you for feeding him a better food.

Real Bone

Never give your dog a real bone to chew on. Real bones can chip or break and are dangerous for the dog. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.

Dedicate enough time to correcting bad behavior right away. If you let it fester it can only make the problem much worse and eventually the dog becomes extremely difficult to train. You could end up with a dog that hurts other people, so make sure you’re in control at all times.

Makes sure your dog gets adequate exercise. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. Regardless of the activities you choose, the dog and you will surely benefit a great deal. Besides just getting some exercise, you’ll be creating a bond between you and your dog.

Avoid matting on your dog’s paws by keeping the hair on them trimmed. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.

Pure Bred Dogs

For pure bred dogs, don’t discount local pounds to find one. There are often pure bred dogs at shelters and rescues, and they are desperately in need of homes. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. You could save a dog’s life by doing so!

Too many trainers spoil the process. Not everyone will do things the same way, which can cause confusion. Have one person in charge of their training and let the others reinforce what they’ve learned by respecting their methods and using the same rules.

Do not believe that a wet, cold nose can judge the health of your dog. A cold and wet nose could be due to many reasons, and it does not preclude illness. Using your dog’s appetite, attitude, and amount of energy, you can determine its health. They give you a better indication as to the state of your dog’s health. You can also take his temperature with a rectal thermometer.

You should not always use the same rewards when training your dog. What does your dog like best? If you are giving treats, try crumbled egg or ground turkey which has been cooked. 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.

If you’re going to get a dog, you should have him trained. You and your dog will be happy together if he is trained well and listens to you. Even though a puppy is easier to train, it is still possible to train an older dog.

Walk dogs each day, regardless of how busy you are. Your pet requires both exercise and the companionship that walking it provides. Your dog will grow up strong and healthy if you make this a priority.

A lot goes into owning and caring for a dog. There is more to dog care than going for walks and providing food. You need to know the right way to care for your dog. This can help you have many healthy and happy years together.