TIP! Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. Dog kisses are very unsanitary.

When seeking a new dog, you are sure to want a gentle companion who will keep your feet warm at night. You may get something quite different. Regardless, you are now tasked with caring for your dog, and this article will teach you the ropes.

TIP! Avoid trying to force things into your dog. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate.

Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Since dogs cannot talk, it’s difficult to know if your dog is in pain. Making an annual trip to the vet is the best way to discover and deal with these kinds of problems when they’re still manageable.

TIP! Schedule a vet appointment before adopting a shelter dog. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick.

Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Your pet stands to enjoy a significantly better (and longer) life. It’s been verified through research that this simple procedure reduces cancer risks and provides other benefits, too. Not only that, but neutered and spayed dogs feel less need to wander away from home, so they are not as likely to be hit by a vehicle or become lost.

TIP! Make sure that you’re giving your dog enough exercise. Dogs need game time and regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy and happy.

Since you’re not able to speak with your dog like a person, you should pay close attention to the dog’s non-verbal speech. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. This could cause the dog to bite. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.

TIP! Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. He needs to know to heel next to you, not behind you or in front of you.

Choose the correct flea medicine for your dog. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.

Table Scraps

TIP! You need to perform daily tick and flea inspections on your dog as spring and summer approaches. You can also use a comb to expel any fleas.

Try not to give a dog table scraps. This will make your dog beg all of the time and also will make it not want to eat its regular food as much. Table scraps can be bad for his health as well, leading to obesity and digestive disorders. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.

TIP! You might be tempted to share your food with your dog. It might be alright to give your dog some foods, but not all foods are good for dogs.

Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Anything can happen, causing your dog to run away or get in a fight with other dogs or even people. Your dog’s safety and behavior are your responsibility.

TIP! You need to really consider adding a dog to your home. Sometimes, it is hard to resist the adorable face of a puppy or dog, but remember how much is involved in the proper care of a pet.

You shouldn’t make your dog do something it doesn’t want to do. If you’re trying to get your dog to eat a new treat and it’s not showing any interest, don’t force them to eat it. Not all dogs like the same things.

TIP! When you train your dog, you will always want to use positive reinforcement. Your dog will learn faster when you employ rewards and praise rather than negative reinforcement.

Now that you have gone over this fantastic advice, you should make sure you don’t ignore any of it. Use the tips in your life, and you are going to find your dog more closely resembles the dream you had. A dog that is happy will love you unconditionally.