Article by-Medeiros Moreno

Dogs are love incarnate. Knowing what your dog needs is the first step. Keep reading for some valuable tips on how to develop a wonderful relationship with your canine companion.

Start training your dog as soon as you bring them home. Create a vocabulary list that all your family members will use to command the dog and stick to it. Dogs can become confused if the same words are not used to give them directions. The dog will see "get over here"� and "come"� as two different commands.

Buy or build a home for the dog if they need to stay outside when it's cold. If his feet get wet, being exposed to extreme weather can cause health issues and stress. Make sure that your dog has a spacious home that they can go into to get out of the weather.





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.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Plenty of dogs are overweight, and just like humans, this can lead to health issues. People tend to overfeed their dogs, and many also feed them table scraps. A dog doesn't need as many calories as most people think; talk to your vet about how much you should feed him each day, and what food is most suitable. read what he said will advise you based on his size, age and lifestyle.

Make sure that you trim your dog's nails on a fairly regular basis. You do not want them to get too long since it will make it uncomfortable for them to walk and they may develop health issues. can dogs eat turkey should be at a length that just about touches the ground.

Dogs, like humans, can develop health problems, and because of this they should be taken to see their vet at least once eat year. This can help to diagnosis any health issues early on, reducing both the extremity of the illness and the cost to fix it. Do whatever you can to follow this rule of thumb strictly.

Know your dog's behavior and body rhythms well, to keep him at his healthiest. Medical issues often present themselves in slight nuances early on and if you know your dog, you'll see them. Pay attention to input and output, sleep duration, energy levels and so forth to keep on top of important issues that affect his health.

Your dog needs to exercise regularly. Like humans, dogs must exercise to burn calories, remain healthy, and help their minds stay sharp. Exercising also helps them avoid boredom that can cause destructive behaviors. Keeping your dog active can curb chewing, biting, digging, and chasing urges. It can even help them avoid depression.

What types of health problems are typical for your dog? Check out their heritage and try to prevent problems that you know they're prone to. Be sure to ask the vet if there is anything you can do in order to avoid health problems that run in the breed.

Keep your dog in comfortable housing. They should be able to rest off the floor and away from drafts. A training crate is a good choice or any covered shelter outside. Try placing a dog bed inside that has a warm blanket or a pillow inside. Wash the dog's bedding frequently.

You must learn how to introduce your dog to other dogs. Keep him on his leash during introductions so you have better control. Start with a walk by while keeping his attention on you. Then, on the next walk by, allow the dogs to sniff each other a bit. This will allow them to get to know each other without the dangers of attacks.

It is very common for objects to get lodged in the pads of your dogs paws. Check them regularly to make sure that nothing is in there. If you see something, be very careful about taking it out, or it may become lodged even deeper. It is a wise to use tweezers for this.

Before you decide to go get a dog you should think about the individual needs of different breeds of dogs. Some dogs can get enough exercise in the home, while others may need a few hours outside each day. These factors can mean a lot when it comes to meeting the needs of your new family member.

The temperature of your dog's nose is not a good indicator of its health. Even a sick dog can have a cold, wet nose. Judge your dog's health by energy levels, appetite and demeanor. These are all good ways to gauge how well your pet is doing. A dog's temperature is checked using a rectal thermometer.

In order to potty train a puppy, it is of utmost importance to take the dog outside frequently. Doing this will familiarize your puppy with the association between outside and going to the bathroom. Failure to do this will result in a harder time breaking your new family member of his/ her bad habits.

Buy a good quality leash. Make sure that the leash is the proper size and strength for your dog. For example, a lightweight nylon leash would be suitable for a smaller dog but not strong enough for a larger breed such as a labrador. If your dog has a tendency to pull, a harness is a great way of correcting this instinct.

Try to avoid leaving your dog on its own for extended time periods. Your dog should be able to spend an entire day alone while you are at work, but leaving your dog alone for longer periods of time could be dangerous. Your dog may feel less lonely if you leave the TV or radio on. You may consider hiring a local pet sitter to ensure that they're not lonely too.

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.

A dog can be a great source of happiness in any family. However, you need the right information that tells you what keeps a dog energetic and happy. Hopefully this article gave you lots of excellent information about looking after "man's best friend."