There are lots of colloquialisms about how men and dogs are great friends. This statement holds a lot of worth based on how dogs act. If you have the information you need, you can create a wonderful lifelong relationship. This article has some tips to follow if you want that great relationship.

Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. Emergency visits to the vet can cost thousands, so you may want to invest in health insurance for your dog.

TIP! Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. Dog kisses are cute, in theory, but understand a dog’s mouth is typically very dirty.

It’s very important to make sure that your home is safe for a dog. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. All cleaning supplies and medications should be moved out of reach of your dog. You should also find a way of securing your trash somewhere that your dog cannot get to, such as in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.

If you bring your pet on vacation with you, keep a picture of him with you, particularly on your phone. Therefore, if your animals get lost, there is a recent photo that can be used for the purpose of locating them.

If you have medication for you or a family member, be certain your dog cannot reach it. Just a few of your pills can be disastrous for the dog, inducing a heart attack or seizure. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

TIP! Have your dog spayed or neutered. A neutered dog will live longer and have less risks of developing cancer.

Practice your training regimen for your puppy near your home. You do not want to train your dog around a bunch of people. They may get distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands.

Don’t go for the cheap stuff when you buy dog food. Cheap brands are full of fillers, preservative and even chemicals. Check with an animal advocacy group for a list of foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.

Bad Behavior

TIP! If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Taking just a few such pills can have devastating consequences for a dog.

Be sure to address your dog’s bad behavior when you first notice it. If you ignore it, you are going to make the problem harder to contain, and you aren’t sure what the result of bad behavior will ultimately be. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.

Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. You’ll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.

Really show your dog some love. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. This could lead to trouble down the line. Remember to praise and be affectionate with your dog more frequently than you discipline him. Your dog will be better behaved.

TIP! Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Several have cancer causing ingredients, and they can be especially harmful to young children.

If your pup seems lonely by itself, consider getting another dog. Dog’s love the companionship of others and enjoy another partner to play with. By choosing another dog that matches your pup’s energy level and temperament, you’ll ensure that your dogs will be great companions for each other.

Your dog needs both physical and mental exercise. Teach him to get the newspaper and do other helpful things around the house. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.

Too many trainers spoil the process. Everyone has their own methods, and experiencing a number of them can leave your pooch confused. Have one person in charge of their training and let the others reinforce what they’ve learned by respecting their methods and using the same rules.

TIP! Practice training your dog in your house or yard. Don’t train in a park.

Dogs make for amazing companions. When you know how to care for your dog, the relationship will be long and happy. Take the tips you learned here to be the best dog owner possible. A good owner makes for a happy and healthy pet. You will gain a best friend.