Growing up with a pet is not the same thing as being the adult responsible for it. There are many things that you will need to learn though. Read on to find some great tips from experts and owners alike.

While it’s great to show your dog affection, you shouldn’t kiss them. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. You don’t know where your dog’s tongue has been, and you’re better off not knowing. It is folk wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a humans. It simply is not true.

Make sure to keep prescription drugs out of the reach of your dogs. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.

If you have a dog that does something right, like sitting when you’re getting out the leash, you should give the animal lots of praise and affection. After all, your goal is for your dog to know when it is doing something good. It teaches the dog that he gets praised when he does what you’d like him to do.

Don’t force your dog to eat something. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.

As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. When you let it go, he thinks it is okay to do. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.

Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. Brushing helps evenly distribute the oils in the fur and skin, which keeps things looking shiny, healthy and soft.

If you’re adopting a dog through a local shelter, try scheduling a vet appointment right away. Shelter dogs have numerous opportunities to be exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses; these can result in dangerous illnesses. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.

Pure Bred

If you’re thinking about getting a dog that is pure bred, keep the local pound in mind. Many pure bred dogs are abandoned at dog pounds or shelters when owners aren’t able to care for them. Make a phone call to local pounds and shelters and see what kinds of dogs are there. You can save the life of a dog this way.

If you have a dog that can’t function properly when they aren’t around you and develops separation anxiety, try putting on some soft music when you go out. The noise can help him feel more secure. It may help them conquer their anxiety while waiting for you to return.

Your dog needs both physical and mental exercise. Make sure he can get the paper and help you around the house. He will always feel useful and a part of the family, while the constant reinforcement of training will keep his thinking skills sharp.

Be cautious with female dogs in the heat. If you aren’t, you may have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. A male dog is able to smell her from up to five miles away. As well as possibly causing a fight amongst male dogs in the area, she might actually get pregnant.

Know any canine laws that might affect your ownership. Legislation aimed at dog owners is proposed every now and then, and you need to know if this affects you. These pieces of legislation are typically motivated by a single incident, one particular breed or a limited number of misbehaved dogs. Be sure you speak up and let your voice be heard by getting in touch with your local officials. Don’t allow bad apples to interfere with your rights.

If your dog happens to have an accident in the house, make sure you remove all traces of it. Use a cleaner that gets rid of smells. If the scent from his excrement remains behind, your dog may be inclined to soil in the same area again and again.

When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. What does your dog like best? If find that your dog is motivated by food, a hot dog, cut into small pieces, is a great reward. If your canine likes playing with toys, tug of war might be a good game for them. A lot of dogs love to be petted and loved on.

Watch your dog’s diet carefully. Young puppies need foods rich in calories to grow. If a high calorie food is fed to an adult dog, it could result in weight gain.

Be a firm person towards your pet. Sometimes people think it’s alright to give a dog table scraps or allow destruction of an item. This happens a lot with dogs that are considered to be very cute. Nonetheless, it is best to establish rules and maintain them firmly to avoid problems. You may be okay with giving your pet some scraps once you’ve finished your meal, but if you’re not firm, your pet may decide it’s fine to snatch food right off your plate.

Bowls Daily

Change your dog’s bowls daily. Just like you won’t eat or drink from dirty bowls, your dog won’t either. Wash bowls daily and put in fresh water and food afterwards.

There is a lot that goes into owning a dog as evidenced by this article. If you simply apply the techniques in a thoughtful way, you are bound to succeed. Simply go slowly and review the piece as needed.