You need to do more than pet and feed your dog. Taking care of a dog is a full-time job. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how to properly care for your dog. This article provides you with a plethora of advice from top experts in the field, including your dog owning peers, so keep reading to pick up some new information.

Neuter or spay your dog. Studies show that these operations help your dog live longer and can reduce cancer risks. Besides, a neutered dog will be less likely to run away or to get in fights with other animals.

It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.

If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. Let a dog know that their behavior is what you wish to see. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s food portions. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Ask your vet for the proper amount based on your dog’s needs.

Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual 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.

Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed weekly. If they start curling under, your dog may experience a lot of pain. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. If your dog does not respond well when you try to trim the nails, a groomer or even your veterinarian can handle the task.

Set up a vet check for a new dog. Do this as soon as your dog arrives at your doorstep. Your vet will administer the necessary shots and make sure your dog is in good health. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don’t need to add to.

Becoming a foster home is a good way to work with dogs without committing to one on a long term basis. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. You can give one a home for a while to help the cause and you can also keep it if you like it!

Learn what health problems are most typical for your breed of dog. Take the time to read up on your breed so that you don’t get any surprises down the road. Speak with your vet about the positive steps you can take to help your dog avoid these sorts of breed related problems.

You might find a pure breed dog at the pound. Some owners leave their dogs, which gives you an opportunity to give them a better life. Just call your local pound to find out what breeds they have available. You can save the life of an abandoned dog this way.

If your pup has an accident in your home, be sure to clean it up properly. You want to be using a professional grade cleaner along with an efficient odor remover. If you do not clean up the mess well enough, your dog might just go again in the same spot.

When choosing to introduce a new pooch to a home that already has one, it is best that you bring your current dog along to meet him. Dogs can be quite social, but some are more effective at socializing than others. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.

When you commence the training process, try different reward methods. Trying different techniques can help you find one that really clicks with your dog’s learning style. If your pet loves food, try giving it its favorite vet approved treat. If you have a dog that loves toys, play a game with them quickly after they do something you trained them to do. Some dogs will consider petting as a reward.

Don’t have expectations for your dog that are too high. His attention span might be limited, meaning you cannot fit everything in to one training session. Keep training sessions short and sweet (just a few minutes, if that’s all that works) so that your dog won’t get frustrated and form negative associations with the training process.

Your vet can give great advice about appropriate dog food for your canine friend. Certain dogs have health issues that point to a particular sort of diet. You want to ensure that whatever you feed your dog will not damage his health further. Your veterinarian can recommend the best diet plan.

Dogs and children need consistency and good scheduling to feel safe in life. You can put dogs in that same category since they tend to follow a similar routine. Pets tend to get crabby if they cannot predict or anticipate how their day will go. Their mood is visible in their behavior. Keep to a regular schedule of training, play time and feeding.

Take some time to learn about dog training and dogs in general so that you can master the subject. This will let you keep your dog happy and healthy for years to come. Doesn’t it stand to reason that your dog craves responsible care from you as well as love and affection?