Owning a dog is a major responsibility; for starters you have to figure out exactly what type of food to feed him. There is a lot you should know when it comes to owning a dog. Alternative solutions are being sought by many. These tips can help you be a better, more responsible dog owner.

Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. That tidbit of information is plain wrong.

Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Dogs can’t talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? Making an annual trip to the vet is the best way to discover and deal with these kinds of problems when they’re still manageable.

Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. A lot of the time a dog might not want to eat some brands of dog food, this might make them sick. Always exercise caution when it comes to your animal’s food.

Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. By the same token, if you are a quiet person, you should choose a quiet lap dog. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.

Provide your dog with rawhide to chew on rather than actual meat bones. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. In contrast, rawhide has health benefits for your pet.

Dedicate enough time to correcting bad behavior right away. Turning a blind eye to it just makes it harder to fix down the road. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.

Your dog should not be left outside in the yard by himself for the entire day. Dogs are social creatures and need interaction with others. Only having one dog can cause him to get lonely. In addition, inclement weather and freezing temperatures can be dangerous for your dog.

If you only have one dog and they aren’t happy or can’t handle being alone a lot, consider getting them a companion. Dogs like to be around their own kind. Choose another dog whose energy level and temperament matches your dog’s, and you should have a good match.

Now that you have read this article, it should be easy for you to know how to take care of your furry friend. There are many more options concerning dog food than what you find in the grocery store. You need to remember what you learned here as you plan out your dog’s care.