Content written by-Mitchell Devine

There are a lot of breeds of dogs, and lots of different families. Knowing what type you prefer and the best way to take good care of this kind of dog is important. Keep reading to find out more about making sure your pet is in good hands.

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

You need to take your older pet to the vet at lease once a day. It can be difficult to know what could be causing your dog pain since they cant talk to you. You need to go to the vet every year to get a check up.

When you have a dog, make sure that you give him enough water. Water should be made available to your dog at all times of the day, particularly in the summertime. Put his water bowl somewhere where no one will trip over it, otherwise you'll be cleaning your floors all day!

If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.

Brushing your dog's teeth is important, but it is not easy. If your dog is resisting, once a day simply lift their lips and use your finger to rub their teeth lightly. Do it quickly at first, and then begin to draw out the time you spend performing this action. This will help them get use to the process. After that, you can begin using an actual brush and toothpaste.

When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.





If you've been considering adopting a dog but still aren't sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. Not only will you be helping a dog in need, but it will help you figure out if you would like to become a dog owner.

Know the basics of pet first-aid if you have a dog in your family. Being able to react quickly in an emergency, such as your pooch being bitten by a snake, can mean the difference between life and death. Read a good book on the subject or ask your vet to brief you on the basics.

Really show your dog some love. It is easy to overlook the good behavior your dog shows while you concentrate on eliminating the bad. This can cause issues later. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.

Your canine friend needs to be cleaned regularly. They don't need to be bathed frequently, but they do need to be brushed daily. This can fight off fleas, prevent dermatitis and keep your house smelling fresher too.

House-training your dog will be much easier if you adopt a routine. You should go for walks regularly throughout the day and come home during your lunch break if necessary. If your dog has to be home alone for long hours, do not leave a bowl full of water unless it is very hot.

If you want to take good care of your dog, you need to learn to think like a dog. Does your pet seem distressed? Think about what you might want if you were a dog. Is your pet having trouble sleeping? Consider where you'd want to sleep if you'd been born with a tail. Taking yorkshire terrier into account can make it easy to solve any problem.

If your dog makes messes in the house or chews when you are away, consider crate training. Crate training involves providing your pet with an appropriate sized crate to,stay in while you're out of the house. It can keep your pet and belongings safe. Just make sure to never leave him in the crate for a very lengthly period of time.

The kind of leash you use when walking your dog is very important. go right here that would fit a small dog, like a chihuahua, is not going to fit a Rottweiler or pit bull. Get a leash that will fit your dog comfortably but also provided them with safety.

If you are in the market for purchasing a dog that has been breed you need to make sure that you have every stipulation in writting. For example, if the breeder promises to spay or nueter the pet, you must get that in your contract. Doing this will protect you from any conflict later on.

Dogs love to interact with people, so do not get one if you do not have time in your day to spend with a pet. A bored or agitated dog can do unbelievable damage to your home and furnishings while you are away. Make sure you allow your dog to expend excess energy every day.

When you first start training, experiment with several types of rewards. You need to figure out what motivates your particular animal. Many dogs are motivated by food, so make sure to have their favorite treats on hand while training. If he likes to play, engage him in a game when he successfully performs the action you are looking for. Some dogs just like to get petted and rubbed when they're good.

As you can see, it's not terribly difficult to deal with caring for a dog. It does take a some time and patience, but it is possible to do well at it. Just take in everything you've read here and you should be able to help your dog live a happy and healthy life.