It’s been said that dogs are a man’s best friend. That proverb is widely known for a reason. When you know the proper ways of dealing with dogs, you can develop a wonderful relationship with yours. This article has useful information that will help you build a friendlier relationship with your dog.

It takes a lot of money to raise a dog. Every dog requires good quality food, general supplies and medical care; this can range in cost from $700 to $1000 per year. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.

While you can hug your dog, you should avoid kissing your dog. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog’s body parts. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. It’s not true.

Since dogs cannot talk, you need to learn your dog’s cues. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. If you do, someone may get hurt. So pay attention to your dog’s demeanor and make your judgement from these cues.

If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, take a pic of him on your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.

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. You might be wrecking your dog’s health by giving him table scraps. Insist that your dog wait away from the table during family meals to avoid temptation on his part – and yours.

Your daily lifestyle should help guide your choice of dog breed. A good example would be if you are a runner. A dog that can keep up with you while you run would be a good choice. If you spend more time in the home, a more sedate, indoor dog will fit your lifestyle best. Selecting the right dog will make you both happier.

Do not force your dog to do anything. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it. You need to find out what your dog does and does not like.

Brushing your pup daily can do much more than reduce shedding in your home. Regular brushing encourages a healthy, shining coat. This is caused by the motions since brushing distributes oils that keep skin, soft, shiny and healthy.

Always follow your vet’s instructions to a tee. He may want out of that cone immediately, but he needs to keep wearing it! Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.

Dogs are amazing pets. You will have a better relationship with them if you take the time to learn more. Hopefully you have learned from this article, and you can be happy with your dog in the years to come. You’ll know the true meaning of the phrase “man’s best friend”.