Dogs are wonderful pets. They are reliable, loyal and often very loving to their owners. Many people, over time, begin to see their dog as another member of their family. Therefore, it is important that you care for your pet in the best way possible to ensure that they live a healthy, happy and productive life. The following tips will help you as you attempt to raise and care for a canine companion.


If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

If your dog is very rowdy or easily excitable, experts recommend that you don't bring them along on vacation. http://toadfly5karl.blogdigy.com/want-to-ensure-yo...alth-and-joy-read-here-4941703 and confusion of a new area filled with strangers is too much for the hyper dog and unpleasant incidents may occur. Find a great kennel to care for your pooch instead.

If your dog has fleas, and they fall off his coat onto your floor, vacuum them up. However, remember that fleas are pretty good escape artists, so you need to throw out the bag immediately after you are finished. To be on the safe side, tape the bag completely shut before you take it out to your trash can.

Always have your dog on a leash when he's off your property. A wild animal could draw his attention and make him run off into danger, or an unexpected provocation could result in some unpleasant situation with other people and their dogs. Your dog is your responsibility, so treat him right.

Always follow any instructions from the vet carefully, especially if your dog requires medication or other special attention. The dog may hate that cone on its head, but it's there for a very good reason! It is always best to follow the recommendations shared by your veterinarian.

Keep your dog in good shape. He can suffer with the same weight-related issues that you can, so make sure he gets plenty of healthy exercise and eats a well-balanced diet. Remember that walking will benefit you as well, so make it a part of your daily routine together to be happier and healthier.

If you are struggling to get your pet to behave during a grooming session, apply positive reinforcement. With your words and your tone, praise your dog for anything little thing that he or she does well during the time you are working with him. Give him a treat when you are finished, so he begins to associate grooming with something good. You should turn your dog's behavior around in no time!

Your dog needs plenty of affection. As it usually happens, many times owners focus more on bad behavior rather than good ones. This can cause issues later. Remember to praise and be affectionate with your dog more frequently than you discipline him. Dogs stand a much better chance of displaying good behavior if that is the case.

You should remember the quote about too many cooks spoiling the soup while trying to train your dog. Training methods vary by person, and multiple trainers can confuse the dog. You should have one person take charge of the training procedure, and then ask everyone else to follow their lead once the dog has learned a few simple commands. This allows for consistency that is least likely to confuse your pet.

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If you bathe your dog often, watch out for signs of painful earaches that can be problematic for canines. They can happen when too much water gets into the ears. Use cotton balls dabbed in baby oil while giving him a bath, and that should keep water from getting in, even if he splashes around.

Timing is key when bringing your dog home. Try to introduce him to his new home over the weekend or when you have a couple of days off. Take the time to get to know one other - this will make him feel much more comfortable when he has to spend time in the home alone. Also, if check out here have children, make sure that they don't overwhelm him at first. If you have other pets in the house, be extra cautious when introducing the new arrival.

Before you head out for a day of fun in the sun with your dog, dab a little sunblock on him! Dogs can get very serious burns on their noses and the inside of their ears, so include him in your sun-protection regimen. Just make sure there's no zinc or PABA in the product you use.

If you are looking to get a dog but do not know where to look, turn to your local ASPCA or animal shelter. Getting a dog from one of these establishments is ideal because not only are they in need of a good home, but they have probably also been well taken care of. Most dogs are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and checked for illnesses at these places.

In order to potty train a puppy, it is of utmost importance to take the dog outside frequently. Doing this will familiarize your puppy with the association between outside and going to the bathroom. Failure to do this will result in a harder time breaking your new family member of his/ her bad habits.

Bigger is not better when selecting a dog house. Allow for room for growth, but do not go much bigger than what you will need for him to be comfortable as an adult. This will allow the entire house to heat from his body heat during the cold winter months.

Pick up your dog's messes when you're out in public. There are still some dog owners who take their dogs on walks and don't bother to "poop scoop". This is not a wise thing to do for a number of reasons. Be a responsible dog owner and carry a little bag and scooper if necessary, so that you can properly dispose of the waste. Non-owners will thank you.

Never punish your dog for their negative behaviors. This will only lead to confusion and possibly resentment as well. If you want a well behaved dog it is best to instead focus on the behaviors that you like and work from there to train them to add more positive behaviors to the list.

Do your homework before getting a new dog. Take your time to research the different breeds and what their needs are. You might find that a dog you like the looks of, would be a terrible fit for your family. Too many dogs end up in shelters because people didn't take the time to learn about their newest family member before getting them.

Dogs and the people they belong to often develop a very special bond. You owe it to your pet to do everything you can to make sure they are safe and happy while they are in your care. The advice included in this article will give you a head start on making sure you give your dog the life that it deserves.