TIP! Be sure your house is dog-proofed. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home.

Many people grow up with animals or currently have some. If you have a dog or you think you may want one in the near future, you have to think over some things first. This article will provide you with great tips on caring for your dog.

TIP! Your dog needs annual medical exams. Because your dog can’t speak with you, you may have trouble knowing when your dog is feeling pain like if it has arthritis.

It costs a lot to own a dog. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!

TIP! If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, take a pic of him on your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.

You must dog-proof your residence. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Make sure no toxic plants are in the vicinity of your dogs.

TIP! Store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in a safe place where your dog cannot get them. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog.

Since your dog cannot talk to you, you have to learn how to listen to your dog’s non-verbal language. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. This could cause your dog to get scared and to bite. You need to keep your eyes open for these signs.

TIP! Even if your dog is well-behaved, never leave home without putting him on a leash. A wild animal may get his attention and cause him to run off, or he may have a bad situation with others and their dogs.

Speak with your vet to see how much you’re going to have to feed your dog daily. Some people refer to the label on the package to determine the quantity of food to feed their dogs, but those guidelines are not always right and using them can cause your dog to become overweight. Your vet will know how much to feed your particular dog.

TIP! Talk to your vet about what you feed your dog. Depending on the type and age of dog, if you purchase the wrong kind of food it may upset their stomach.

Take your time to teach your dog what kind of behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.

TIP! When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you.

Brushing your dog on a daily basis has other benefits aside from the fact that he will shed less fur on your furniture clothing. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. Brushing helps evenly distribute the oils in the fur and skin, which keeps things looking shiny, healthy and soft.

TIP! Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. If his feet get wet, being exposed to extreme weather can cause health issues and stress.

Plenty of physical activity is one of your dog’s necessities. Exercise keeps your dog healthy, both physically and mentally. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.

TIP! Try not to force your dog to eat things. If you offer him a treat he doesn’t seem to like, do not make him eat it.

Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. Make sure he can get the paper and help you around the house. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.

TIP! Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. This should be one of the first things that you attend to when you’re bringing home a new pet.

You need to ensure your dog will come back if he runs away; that is why you need to have a collar with his information on it. Keep identification on your dog’s collar. The tag needs to have your name and phone number on it. A micro-chip can also be installed on your dog.

TIP! Your dog has to be leash trained. Your dog should learn to walk by the side of you, teach them to ‘heel’.

Armed with the information provided here, you can take care of your dog well. If you implement this advice into your life, there should be no issues in the future. Take time to re-read this advice if anything remains unclear.