Lots of folks have pets now, or have had them in the past. If you happen to be thinking about getting a dog, then there is stuff that you’re going to need to understand. This article is going to give you tips on dogs so that you can be prepared to care for one.

Avoid kisses and stick with hugs. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. It’s not true.

Get your dog neutered. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.

Your dog can not tell you what is wrong, so just listen to his body language. For instance, if your dog is hesitating, it is not a good idea to force him to approach a person or another animal. It could end up with someone getting bit. Watch your dog and be aware of his actions.

Keep your dog on leash any time he leaves your fenced yard, regardless of his gentle nature and good behavior. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.

Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Real bones can chip and become lodged in harmful place such as the digestive tract. Rawhide is proven healthy and great for teeth as well, but don’t be tempted to share that T-bone, no matter what kind of eyes your dog gives you.

Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. Ignoring it for any length of time will only make it that much more difficult to contain later and you never know what could happen as a result of it now. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.

If you are not sure whether dog ownership is a good idea for you, then you might want to try being a foster care provider for a needy dog. Shelters for abused or homeless dogs are often looking for temporary homes, called foster homes, where dogs can live until they are adopted out to a permanent home. Fostering is a great way to help a dog and get a feel for what having a dog is like.

These tips will help you become a better owner for your dog. If you implement this advice into your life, there should be no issues in the future. Simply take things one step at a time and re-read this article if you are unsure of anything.