It is not easy to own a dog. Dogs are like children, where they need proper food, exercise, cleaning and grooming and to visit a physician. There’s so much to do; how will you know where to start? The following tips will teach you how to take great care of your dog.

Since dogs cannot talk, you’ll need to learn about your dog’s way of communication. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. You might cause your dog to bite someone or another dog. Look out for non-verbal hints so that the dog can guide your actions.

When you take your dog with you on vacation, take a picture and save it to your phone. If he is ever separated from you, it will be easy to show people what he looks like or print out flyers with a recent picture showing that you are looking for him.

If there are prescription and other medications within your home, keep them away from your dog. If your dog has access to these pills, there can be fatal consequences. If this does happen, call your vet immediately.

Never let the dog go off your land without its leash, regardless of its good behavior. Wild animals could grab their attention, causing them to run into dangerous territory, or they may have an unpleasant situation involving other dogs and people. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.

Use hand signals when training your dog along with verbal commands. Dogs tend to respond better with these additional types of signals instead of always relying on voice commands. Test out both methods to see which works for you.

Never force a dog to do something. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. Get to know your dog better to figure out how you can make it happy.

Daily brushing your dog has more benefits that just reducing shedding. It’ll also give them a very beautiful and shiny coat. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.

You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you’re not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. Not only will you be helping a dog in need, but it will help you figure out if you would like to become a dog owner.

You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. You should use a comb to straighten out the hair a bit before trying to trim it. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.

If your dog is undergoing a course of treatment with medication or therapy, make sure you follow your veterinarian’s instructions precisely. Dogs may resist wearing cones, but they are there for good reason. Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.

Now you have the tools you need and can use them each day. Starting with these techniques, you can keep learning more and become an experienced dog owner. You’ll find the road to responsible dog ownership a little smoother and less challenging, and you and your canine companion will have a longer, better relationship.