Dogs are fantastic as pets because they give you loyalty and can be great company. However, they are not this way from birth. Training them, working on behavioral issues and caring for them properly all go a long way toward helping to ensure they are welcomed family members and companions. The below article will inform you on how to raise a dog properly.

Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Place any meds or household cleaning supplies out of reach, and place any trash cans in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.

Don’t let a dog go off property without their leash, even if they’re well behaved. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.

Ask your vet the amount of food your dog needs daily. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Speak with a vet about your dog’s needs and what they should have.

Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.

Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. This is caused by the motions since brushing distributes oils that keep skin, soft, shiny and healthy.

Your dog should not be left outside all the time. This is common for people to do, but dogs should interact with others. When your dog is the only one you have, leaving him alone will make him sad. Plus, bad weather can be health and even life threatening to your pet.

Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If you are not comfortable with this process, it would be a good idea for you to go and get it done by a professional groomer.

Some dog breeds are more prone to problems than others and you should know if your dog could have problems. Research the kind of dog you have and see if there are any preventative measures you can take. Also, see what advice the vet has in terms of helping your dog overcome breed liabilities.

You can find pure breeds at the dog shelter. 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. Taking this option may save the life of a dog.

Make sure that your female dog is contained well if she’s in heat. This will help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Males can smell her scent for miles. This can lead to aggression among other males, and you certainly don’t want to be left with an unexpected litter of pups.

If your pup has an accident in your home, be sure to clean it up properly. Special cleaners and deodorizers are available to do the job right. If you do not clean up the mess well enough, your dog might just go again in the same spot.

Choosing a dog food needs to be done with great consideration. There are plenty of options, and you should find what best matches your dog’s age, weight and other characteristics. Ask your vet for advice.

Sometimes we think it’s okay to feed our pups some of what we are eating. You can do this with some foods, but not all. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. These food items can seriously harm your dog.

When thinking about acquiring a dog, be sure to take your entire life (special events, weekends away, vacations) into account. Wanting a dog is a piece of cake, but actually taking care of one is harder.

Use a lot of positive reinforcements during dog training. Do not hit your dog as this will only make him fear you. In addition, kind and humane treatment during training periods is healthier for your dog. So, behave in a friendly manner when you train your dog for best results.

Always keep an eye on your dog’s diet. Puppies need to eat foods with lots of calories in order to grow. However, when these same foods are eaten during adulthood, they could cause extreme weight gain, which can cause damage to your dog’s health.

Walk your dog daily, even if you’re busy. A dog needs constant exercise, and walking provides it with a chance to interact with new animals and people. If you want your dog to grow up to be friendly and happy, you should ensure you walk it regularly.

Take some time to consider where you want your new dog to sleep. If you’d prefer that your dog sleeps in a crate, never allow it to sleep alongside you in your bed. If you do let your dog in your bed, you will want to assure it’s something you want to do each and every night.

Take your vet’s advice about which food is best for your dog. Dogs with medical issues will need special foods. If your dog has special needs, the wrong food may harm him. Your vet will be able to explain what your dog needs.

This article should have helped you understand that taking care of your dog isn’t too difficult. Although in the beginning it might make you frustrated, stick to the proven tips that will have you headed down the correct path. Take all of the things you learned here and put them to good use.