Dogs make the perfect pet because they are loving, loyal and great with children. However, a new dog needs to be trained as soon as you adopt it. They need to learn how to act right, and you need to be aware of how to go about it. You will learn some things here, keep on reading.

Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.

Avoid kisses and stick with hugs. Dog kisses are very unsanitary. Dogs tend to dig through garbage cans, drink out of toilets and explore the hind quarters of other animals. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. This is not in the least bit true.

Your dog needs annual medical exams. Your dog is not able to talk, so it is not easy to know when he’s got arthritis or an aching tooth. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.

Get your dog neutered. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. They are also more likely to remain close to home, reducing their risk of becoming lost or getting injured by a car or another animal.

If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, take a pic of him on your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.

Talk with a vet about which foods are good for dogs and which ought to be avoided. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. Never give your dog any food you are not sure of.

Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. When you let it go, he thinks it is okay to do. You could end up with a dog that hurts other people, so make sure you’re in control at all times.

Properly teach your dog how to walk with a leash. They should walk by your side, instead of behind or in front of you, and they must respond to “heel.” Walking this way will help to keep your pet safe, and it will make it easier for you to enjoy walks too. By having your dog understand this command, it will be very helpful for most situations.

If your pup seems lonely by itself, consider getting another dog. The company could do your pet a lot of good. You need to match like-tempered dogs together.

You have likely realized that it isn’t terribly hard to care for your dog. It will be a little difficult at first, but the above advice should have you pointed in the right direction. Take everything that you’ve learned here, and you should have no trouble taking care of your furry friend.