Owning a dog is a major responsibility; for starters you have to figure out exactly what type of food to feed him. Many people have concerns over the quality of dog food that is mass produced. This is why many of them do things themselves. Follow the tips presented here to learn how to provide your dog with the kind of responsible care needed for a long and happy canine life.

Because non-verbal communication is vital to dogs, you should devote yourself to learning how to read your dog’s signals. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. That could lead to another person or dog being bitten. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.

If you bring your pet on vacation with you, keep a picture of him with you, particularly on your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.

When it comes to dog flea treatments, you should proceed with caution. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to a vet about safe alternatives and keep little kids away when applying any flea treatment.

Hand signals are great when they are paired with verbal commands. Hand signals can really help your dog. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.

Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Never give your dog any food you are not sure of.

Let your dog chew some rawhide rather than meat bones. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. If his feet are wet during very cold weather, it will stress him and lead to health problems. Your dog needs a space that is dry and provides him with adequate shelter.

Make sure the hair located on your dog’s paws is trimmed in order to prevent matting. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.

Give your dog plenty of love. In life, it is far too common to give bad behavior more attention than good. With dogs, this can lead to trouble. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.

If you’ve got just one dog and he doesn’t seem all that happy or is left alone a lot, think about getting him a friend. Dogs come from packs, so it’s in their nature to prefer spending time with a member of their own species. Choose a friend for your dog that has the same energy level and temperament and you will make your dog very happy.

Be sure your dog sees the vet once a year. Your dog should see a vet at least twice a year to make sure they are in good health and that they do not need new shots. Having a puppy means regular visits to the vet. You need to go to the vet as soon as your dog seems sick or hurt.

If you are starting to train, start by rewarding them in different ways. Take the time to learn what will motivate your pet the most. Pieces of sausage or tasty dog treats will work for a dog that is motivated by food. Maybe your dog will respond better to a game of tug-of-war with a favorite toy. Some dogs are even driven by being rubbed and petted.

Don’t go overboard with what you allow your dog to do. Most dog owners think that letting it slide “this time” is okay, even for a major rules infraction. Don’t let that cute face fool you. If you’re firm, you won’t have these accidents. For instance, giving scraps to a dog may seem harmless, but if you keep doing it, the dog may think it is fine to jump on a table and take a whole course.

Don’t try to make your dog too many things at once. Remember that your dog’s attention span is rather short, and watch for signs that he is ready for a break from training. Limit your training periods to five minutes at a time and be sure to exercise a high level of patience.

Crate training puppies is ideal if nobody is around to watch them several times throughout the day. This will help keep your house undamaged.

Walk your dog daily, regardless of your hectic schedule. You and your dog both need exercise, and a walk is a nice break in routine for man and beast. This will help your dog grow and mature.

Owning a dog is both a privilege and a pleasure, especially when you make yourself a well-educated owner. There are other options. Keep the information you’ve read here in mind as you work towards providing the right care for your dog.