If You Want To Know About Dogs, We Know It All

Do you own a dog now, or have you ever had one before? If so, then you already know how wonderful being a dog owner is. A solid base of knowledge will prepare you to be an even better dog owner, just as is the case with so many other life skills. The information below can help you.

Make your home dog-proof. Don't take a dog into your home without being sure that it is safe from top to bottom. Make sure anything toxic is put up. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.

Watch out for dog flea treatments. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for use around small kids.

Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. This will show your dog that the behavior he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. It will show your dog that doing the right thing will earn him praise from you.

Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. The brands that are cheaper actually have lots of additives, preservatives and other harmful ingredients that can endanger the health of your dog. Try using animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness to get a list of great dog foods that have high professional recommendations. Your dog will benefit greatly from better food.

Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Real bones can chip and become lodged in harmful place such as the digestive tract. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.

If you want a dog but don't know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. Fostering a dog could help the cause as well as find you a new companion you cannot bring yourself to return.

Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medication. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. It is always best to follow the recommendations shared by your veterinarian.

You don't want to buy the bargain dog food. Cheaper brands have tons of additives, preservatives, and ingredients that can harm a dog's health. Check with animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods that are recommended by professionals. Your dog will appreciate your research.

Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. He'll feel helpful and like he is a member of the family. At the same time, the training is good for his mental and thinking skills.

You should have a better idea of how you can properly care for your dog. Though you may problems initially, using the tips of help will set things on the right path. Take what you've learned here to avoid having issues with your dog.