Smith 
Owning a dog isn’t easy. Similar to kids, dogs have to eat certain food, need physical activity, have to go to a vet, and require cleaning and grooming. There’s so much to do; how will you know where to start? The tips in the article that follows will give you a great start.
If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure that your dog does not have access to it. If your dog has access to these pills, there can be fatal consequences. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Always be cautious when you’re thinking of feeding your dog.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If you’ve bought a treat that your dog doesn’t seem to interested in, don’t try to make your dog eat it. When you get your dog you should spend some time with it to learn exactly what kinds of things it enjoys.
Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. When they start curling under, the dog runs the risk of experiencing pain. You can buy clippers in a pet store and do them yourself. If this idea makes you uneasy, a groomer can easily attend to them for you.
Bring your shelter dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible after you adopt him. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick. The best thing to do is to ensure that you new dog has all the necessary vaccinations before it comes home with you.
Always follow through with instructions from your vet if your dog has medication or needs special attention. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. The directions that you get from your vet are focused on the health of your pet and ignoring them can be detrimental to your pet.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The noise make them feel more secure and keeps them company. It may help them conquer their anxiety while waiting for you to return.
What new laws or regulations concerning pets will affect you? Keep track of local laws which affect dog owners. These pieces of legislation are typically motivated by a single incident, one particular breed or a limited number of misbehaved dogs. You should speak out as a good dog owner, and talk with officials in your area.
Never miss one of your pet’s annual check-ups. Vets can find problems such as kidney troubles, thyroid issues and diabetes well before symptoms appear to you. This saves you money on vet bills later on, or heartache from your pet’s suffering.
When selecting the ideal diet for your dog, investigate the options thoroughly. There are many options, but you should match your dog to food that was made for his age and size. Though just giving your dog your own leftovers is cheaper, it is not good for their health.
When you’re snacking, your dog may look at you with big, begging eyes, asking for a treat. This is true of some snacks, but not of others. Dogs are not able to tolerate grapes, chocolate and anything with caffeine, for instance. If your dog eats these foods, it could be detrimental to his health.
Are you aware of the fact that some vitamins might hurt your dog? Dog food usually meets your dog’s nutritional requirements by itself. An overabundance of vitamins may harm their joints, bones, and blood vessels. Speak with a vet before starting your dog’s vitamin regimen.
You should take the time to reflect about your lifestyle before getting a dog. Many people want dogs, but not everyone is able to handle all the hard work that comes with caring for a dog.
Positive Reinforcement
Your training techniques should only use positive reinforcement. Using praise and rewards helps your dog learn quicker than other ways, such as dominance or violence. Positive reinforcement is more efficient and will allow you to connect with your pet. Be kind to your dog and you’ll see some great results.
Outdoor dogs need the same amount of attention as indoor dogs. He is sure to acquire poor habits such as digging and chewing if without company for long periods. Also, he may develop aggressive tendencies. Lavish attention and love on him.
Watch what your dog is eating. Foods that are high in calories are great for growing puppies. As your dog ages, his caloric intake should be reduced to avoid obesity.
Take precautions for your dog during the hot summer months. Dogs get overheated quite easily. You should have a cool, shady place they for them to go in the summer. Also, be sure your dog has clean, cold water. Also, dogs can have problems with the sun’s rays, so see if the vet has any sunscreens for dogs.
Table Scraps
You should be firm with your dog. Dog owners sometimes think that it is alright to occasionally let their dog have table scraps or destroy a toy. This is often true with dogs that are particularly adorable. This will prevent accidents from occurring in the future. For instance, you may like to give your dog table scraps when you have finished your meal, but doing so may encourage your dog to abscond with your entire meal if you are not vigilant in the future.
You now know a thing or two about dogs. Take the time to do more research on how to care for your dog and on any specific issues you are encountering. If you just apply the tips above, you and your dog can be very happy together.