Owning a dog may bring joy into your life, but it isn’t always a simple job. You will need to give them the right foods, take them out and care for them daily. Do you know everything there is to know about dog care? Reading this article can help you become a great dog owner.

Make your home doggie-proof. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. All cleaning materials and drugs must be put away, and put your trash receptacle inside a cabinet. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.

TIP! Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about.

Neuter or spay the dog. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.

If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. Your dog could be seriously injured or killed by ingesting a couple of small pills. Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog swallows any pills.

Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. Many of them contain ingredients that can put children at risk for cancer at a rate that is 1000 times more than what the EPA considers safe! Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you’re applying any flea treatment.

TIP! In the same way that a yearly physical is helpful to you, a yearly trip to the veterinarian is a must for your dog. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues.

Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. Overfeeding him will lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, too. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.

Take some time to schedule dog training sessions in your own home and backyard. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. This may distract your pet which will make it a lot harder to teach it even basic things.

Don’t let your dog out of your property without wearing a leash, regardless of how well he behaves. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.

TIP! Be sure to keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. Your dog could have a heart attack or a seizure if it swallows some pills.

You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. You should be careful when you are feeding your dog.

As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. You need to make sure your dog is happy to keep them in control and so he does not hurt anyone.

This expert advice is something that you will remember so that you may use it with your dog every day. You now know what it takes to be a responsible, caring master. Using these suggestions, treat your dog right!