Designate a family member or close friend to be responsible for your dog, should something happen to you. If you are in an accident and unable to get home, your dog will need someone to feed him and address other needs. Perhaps you trust a neighbor with your house keys and they could act for you in a time of need.

Let your dog know who is boss! Unless shown otherwise, Puppies Topic a dog will naturally assume that he is the leader of the pack – once this has been established it is quite difficult to persuade him otherwise! When disciplining your dog, Puppies Topic be firm in tone, but calm. Never punish a dog in a physical manner, as this will lead to lifelong mistrust. Also, when he behaves, remember to praise him!

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. A vet will advise you based on his size, age and lifestyle.

Even if you don’t have a dog yet, you likely know what a big responsibility dog ownership is. It’s not something to be taken lightly. Review the information below to learn how to take great care of your dogs.

It isn’t enough to feed your dog; you need to make sure that you give him a full life that he can enjoy. The tips in this article are meant to help you to think more about how you can be there for your dog. After all, isn’t he there for you?

Be careful when choosing what to feed your dog. You’ll find a wide variety of food to buy, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Choose the food that fits both your dog’s age and size. Though just giving your dog your own leftovers is cheaper, it is not good for their health.

To protect your dog in the event he is lost or stolen, have a microchip surgically implanted by your vet. These handy chips store data that can be retrieved by a shelter or animal officer and used to contact you. They are painless to put in and offer peace of mind for the pet lover!

If you have a snack, you might think that it’s okay for your dog to take a bite. Certain foods are fine, but other are not very good for dogs. Your should not give your dog grapes, caffeine, or chocolate, for instance. These kinds of foods may have detrimental effects on the animal’s health.

If you have a lone dog think about getting another if he is feeling lonely. Dogs come from packs, so it’s in their nature to prefer spending time with a member of their own species. Match them on energy and temperament for the best selection.

Never leave your dog home alone for more than a few hours each day. For example, if you are planning on being away from home for a few days, you should find a place to house them where they can get regular care. Dogs can become anxious when left alone for extended times, so consider their feelings and provide them with the care that they need.

Have your pet checked out by your vet on a regular basis. Your pet will need to go to the vet so it can get tested for heart worms, get a general check up, Doing Funny Things and to see if the shots are still up to date. With a puppy, you will need to visit your vet a little more often. This will help your vet diagnose any physical issues with your dog.

Dogs need a great deal of attention on a daily basis. If you have a hard time making time for your dog you will soon notice that there are behavioral problems that were not there before. In the least, you should try to set aside an hour each day just to love your dog.

Always be sure that your dog understands that you are the master if you want to have a well behaved pet. This is important because if your dog believes that he is dominant over you, then you have a much smaller chance of getting it to obey your commands and behave according to your wishes.

If your dog has fleas, and they fall off his coat onto your floor, vacuum them up. However, remember that fleas are pretty good escape artists, so you need to throw out the bag immediately after you are finished. To be on the safe side, tape the bag completely shut before you take it out to your trash can.

Although some dogs do well on the recommended amount of food to be given each day, some dogs need more or less. Instead of just going by what your food says to feed your dog, try to keep an eye on your dog’s body. If you notice that your dog is gaining a bit of weight, cut the food intake back a bit.

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.

If you’re adopting your pet from a shelter, it’s important that you take it to see a vet immediately. Dogs are more likely to be sick or have exposure to viruses in the shelter. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.