Dog ownership isn’t easy. Dogs, just like children, need to be fed the right foods, exercised, groomed and cleaned, and taken to the doctor. How can you be sure what exactly must be done? This article is a great place to get started acquiring dog ownership know-how.

It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs tend to dig through garbage cans, drink out of toilets and explore the hind quarters of other animals. There is a belief that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is completely wrong!

If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.

Table Scraps

Resist the urge to give your dog table scraps. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Feeding table scraps to your dog could lead to digestive problems or obesity. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.

When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. You should never ignore bad behaviors when they are puppies because this will make it a lot harder to correct down the road. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.

Trim your dog’s nails regularly. Once they get to a length where they are curling under, this is likely to cause your dog some pain. You can trim them yourself with a pair of store bought clippers. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.

Make sure you exercise both your dog’s mind and its body. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog’s mind, keeping him alert and attentive. Many dogs were originally bred to work, and will get frustrated if you do not give them a job to do.

Be sure your dog wears identification so it can always get back home. A common method to make sure your lost dog is returned is to have them wear a breakaway collar with an identification tag. Include your dog’s name and information on how to contact you. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.

Dog Owners

Make political decisions which will help your dog! Look to see if your local government is passing laws which limit dog owners’ rights. Sometimes people might misjudge a breed. Be sure to voice your concerns in regards to dogs and dog owners by staying in touch with local officials.

If you are shopping for a new dog and already own another dog, it is a good idea to take your old dog along. Most dogs enjoy another dog’s company, but some dogs do not get along. Finding the right dog for you will save you lots of trouble in the end.

Just because your dog’s nose is wet and cold doesn’t mean he’s healthy. There are many reasons for your dog’s nose to be cold and wet even if the dog is sick. Using your dog’s appetite, attitude, and amount of energy, you can determine its health. These are better signs of how your dog is feeling. A rectal thermometer will come in handy to see if your dog is feverish.

Now you have the tools you need and can use them each day. This will help you to be a great owner for your pup. Both you and your dog will enjoy the benefits of your knowledge and dedication.