Dog’s are truly our best friend. There is so much truth in that saying. If you understand how to properly take care of your pet, you will find that the two of you can have a fantastic relationship. If you’d like to forge a closer bond with your canine companion, just take a look at the great suggestions provided here.

Since you’re not able to speak with your dog like a person, you should pay close attention to the dog’s non-verbal speech. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. One of the animals could become aggressive. Watch out for those non-verbal clues and let your dog guide any actions you perform.

Know about what could go wrong with flea treatments if you have a dog. Lots of treatments contain things that can be harmful to kids. Talk to your vet about safer options, especially when there are kids around.

Associate some hand signals to verbal commands when training your dog. Your dog might learn commands more easily using this approach. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.

Rawhide bones are the best options for your dog. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your dog develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!

If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. A shelter is often a haven for kennel cough and other diseases. Have your dog checked over and given vaccinations as soon as possible.

Never leave a dog outside for long periods of time. It is important that your dog has interaction. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. Plus, bad weather can be health and even life threatening to your pet.

Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. Many owners inadvertently spend more time focusing on their pet’s negative behaviors than on all the good things they do. You might have a hard time later on. Instead, make sure you pet or praise your dog five times more often than you scold him. Dogs stand a much better chance of displaying good behavior if that is the case.

If your dog isn’t happy or is lonely, consider buying a second dog. Dogs love to be social and hate to be alone. Choose a friend for your dog that has the same energy level and temperament and you will make your dog very happy.

Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. He can feel useful and like a family member, and continuing to train him will keep his mind sharp.

When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. Folks all do things differently, and it is important not to confuse the animal. Only allow one person to teach the dog things and then everyone else should learn what that person has taught the dog and stick with that.

Bring your dog to the vet for an annual check-up. Your vet can notice health ailments long before you can, and many of the tests he can perform will help to detect or prevent things like diabetes, kidney or thyroid problems. Annual exams can prevent lots of unneeded expenses later on.

If your dog poops or pees in the house, you need to clean it up. You must make use of an effective cleaner and a strong odor remover. If you leave the scent of his excrement behind, the dog may repeatedly soil the same exact area.

You need to think everything through before you bring a dog home. It’s a great deal of responsibility, after all. Consider everything beforehand so that you know whether or not you can confidently manage it all.

Vitamins are not necessarily a good thing for your dog. If your dog eats commercial foods, he doesn’t need vitamin supplements unless your vet advises you to give them to him. An excess of some vitamins can cause blood vessel damage, as well as damage to his joints and bones. Speak to your vet about your dog’s requirements.

Avoid high expectations with your dog. Your dog is not going to have the same attention span. Try training your pet little by little. Don’t try to teach it too many things all at once, and be patient. This will help you to be sure that your dog doesn’t associate training with being punished.

If you’ve just got a dog, look into taking a training course together. Your life, and the life of your new dog, will be much happier and rewarding if he is well-trained, and knows how to obey your commands. Training is simpler with puppies, but older dogs can also learn.

Think carefully about what your dog eats. Some foods are better than others, and the cost shouldn’t be your deciding factor. Speak with your vet to see what you should be feeding your dog. Make sure that the breed, health status and age are taken into consideration. This can help your dog live a longer, healthier life.

If your dog is constantly chewing on things, buy rawhide bones or other chewable toys. They are made just for dogs and can alleviate the desire to chew in a non-destructive way. You can find a variety of these toys at pet stores or big box franchises.

Dogs are great companions. A great relationship starts with a good education. You have learned quite a bit from this article, and hopefully you can use it and have a life full of happiness with your dog. There’s no reason you can’t have exactly the dog/human relationship you’re looking for.