Isn’t it great to have a dog? Everyone seems to love dogs. They are affectionate, active and love to have a good time. This makes for a great companion. But it works both ways – you also need to be a great companion to your dog, ensuring that he is well cared for. Read this article for some useful tips every dog owner should know about.

When you have medications of any sort, keep them where your dog cannot get to it. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans. If your dog does ingest some of your medication, get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.

Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. Different breeds and stages of development might mean that certain brands and types of food cause an upset stomach. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.

When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. For instance, if you like to go running, you’re not going to want a little dog that can’t keep up with you. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. You will be much happier when you make a choice that is complementary to your lifestyle.

Talk to the veterinarian about the proper amount of food for your dog. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.

Try not to force your dog to do new things. If your dog doesn’t want it, don’t force him to eat it. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.

Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. Your dog will benefit from eating healthy, quality food. This may mean higher costs for a better brand, but your dog will get great nutrition from proper sources.

Teach your dog the proper way to walk while on a leash. Your dog has to understand the “heel” command and respond to it by walking beside you, not ahead of or in back of you. This will keep him safe, and it’ll make walks more enjoyable. Regardless of how you intend to take your walks, this is a good command for your dog to know.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, but aren’t sure you want to make the commitment, try serving as a foster home. Dogs who have been abused or left without a home stay in shelters until someone adopts them. Since there are so many dogs in shelters, there are little resources. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!

Do not allow your dog to remain outdoors all day long. Even though a lot of people tend to do this, a dog requires human interaction to feel good. If there is only one dog in your household, he may feel lonely outdoors. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.

Trimming around the paws of your dog will ensure your dog’s fur doesn’t get matted. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. If this scares you, have a professional do it.

If your dog seems lonely because you’re not home all the time, get him a little friend. Dogs naturally travel in packs and like to have fellow canines around. Match them carefully by energy levels and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.

Dogs can often get cuts by stepping on glass and other debris. Small cuts can be treated by washing, flushing with hydrogen peroxide and bandaging. If the cut seems very deep, take him to the vet.

Be very careful when choosing your dog’s food. There are many to choose from, so focus on those that are for your dog’s age and size. You certainly can save some money by serving your dog leftovers, but it is difficult to achieve a balanced diet and include all of the right nutrients.

When you are finding out what kind of dog you want to get, you might want to introduce the prospective pet to your current pet. Most dogs enjoy another dog’s company, but some dogs do not get along. Finding the right dog for you will save you lots of trouble in the end.

Rely on positive reinforcement when you train your dog. Rewards and praise will help speed things along, and they work better than being violent. Treating your dog well is good for your pet’s emotional health, but it’s also the most effective training method. Be kind to your dog and you’ll see some great results.

Remember, your dog isn’t a human. Your dog’s attentions span is not going to be long when training it. Train for a couple of minutes at a time to ensure you don’t turn him off training.

Your dog should be as clean as you are. Although your dog doesn’t need to be cleaned as frequently as you would, you should try to bathe your pup every week. This prevents skin issues and helps your home stay clean.

Just as your dog is a wonderful companion, you need to return the favor. The information in this article will help you to be an even better dog owner. Your dog should have a great life, and after reading this, you both will.