Dogs possess a loyalty that is superior to the human trait. If you are a dog owner, it is your responsibility to learn as much as possible about these animals and how to properly care for them. The tips included below will help with the discovery process.

Make your home dog-proof. Don’t take a dog into your home without being sure that it is safe from top to bottom. Put up all of your cleaning supplies and medications, and be sure you put away any trash cans. Make sure no toxic plants are in the vicinity of your dogs.

When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Dogs tend to respond better with these additional types of signals instead of always relying on voice commands. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.

If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. Some people feed the dog based on their food package recommendations, but these can be wrong and cause them to be overweight. Speak with your veterinarian about what your dog’s needs are and what amounts are proper.

Clip your dog’s nails. Once they get to a length where they are curling under, this is likely to cause your dog some pain. Find some good clippers you can use to trim your dog’s nails yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming them yourself, a groomer can do it for little money.

If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. Dogs that live in shelters may be sick or may have been around other sick dogs. It’s crucial that your pet has all necessary shots before it’s brought into your house.

Fostering a dog teaches you about the responsibilities of dog ownership. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. You can foster one to help out the cause and find out if you want to keep one!

Pure Bred Dog

If you want a pure bred dog, do not discount the pound as a place to find him. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. All you have to do is give your local shelter a call, and you can find out which breeds they have. Taking this option may save the life of a dog.

Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. The dog will be less likely to feel anxiety if there is a familiar noise. This could be the perfect fix to keep him calm until you return.

Show the dog that he is loved. As is often the case, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. That could mean trouble later with your dog. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. Your dog is much more likely to showcase the proper behavior if you do so.

If your female dog is in heat be cautious – she could very easily become pregnant. Male dogs can smell her scent from up to five miles. This may also make other dogs fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.

It isn’t unusual for dogs to injure their paws by stepping on bits of glass or other debris. Clean any small cuts on your dog with antiseptic, and bandage the area. If the cut is deep, check with your vet.

If you are shopping for a new dog and already own another dog, it is a good idea to take your old dog along. Dogs are very social by nature, but some get along better than others. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.

Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. There are many reasons for your dog’s nose to be cold and wet even if the dog is sick. You can keep track of your dog’s heath by paying attention to it’s appetite, demeanor, and energy levels. These are better signs of how your dog is feeling. A dog’s temperature can be taken rectally if need be.

You need to be very firm. When you first bring a dog home, you might think it’s fine to sneak them table scraps or let them chew on your shoes. Not even if he has those big puppy dog eyes! But, if you stay firm, you can avoid accidents. Giving your dog the scraps after a meal might be okay to you, but if you let things slide you may find your pet eating your dinner from your own lap!

There isn’t a doubht that there are benefits to owning a dog, and that can be the start of a great friendship. Dog owners, current or future, would all do well to research and learn about what dogs really need. The above advice can be used for times to come.