You have probably heard that dogs are man’s best friend. This statement really is true. As long as you know what you’re doing, you can get full enjoyment from owning a dog. This article delves into the techniques to get the most love out of your dog.

Consider the situation before allowing a dog to kiss your face. Kisses seem nice, but dogs have very dirty mouths. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. Many people believe that the human mouth has more germs than that of a dog – this isn’t true. It simply is not true.

Dog training should take place on your property. Training in busy areas with lots of people around should be avoided. They might feel distracted and not learn a thing.

The dog breed you choose should blend in well with your lifestyle. For instance, if you love to run, get a dog that loves to run too, and leave the miniature breed for someone who is less active. If you spend more time in the home, a more sedate, indoor dog will fit your lifestyle best. You should find a dog that fits well with your personality.

If you buy a new dog, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. 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.

You need to make sure your dog can walk on a leash. Your dog should know how to heel and not behind you or ahead of you. Walking in this manner keeps your dog safe, and you are bound to enjoy walks more as well. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, teaching your dog to heel remains an important task as a pet owner.

If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren’t totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. Animals are overcrowded in shelters, and the resources available for them are not abundant. Fostering will help you become adapted to the life of a pet owner, and you will be making a difference in the life of a dog at the same time!

If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. Your dog likely will not enjoy wearing a cone, but the vet prescribed it for good reason. If your veterinarian recommends something, it’s because it’s what’s best for your dog. If you ignore recommendations, your dog could have some major health issues.

Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. Many pet owners abandon their dogs at the pound when they no longer want to, or are able to, keep them. Call the pound to see what breeds they’ve got. You can save the life of a dog this way.

Get your dog spayed, and if you have a female in heat, take extra care that she does not become pregnant. A male dog is able to smell her from up to five miles away. Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.

Be politically active when it comes to your dog. Legislation aimed at dog owners is proposed every now and then, and you need to know if this affects you. Many times new, overly-restrictive ordinances have incredibly broad impacts when they’re only intended to affect a tiny minority of pet owners. Get in touch with administrators and legislators to exercise your rights as a responsible citizen and reliable dog owner.

You need to train the dog by yourself; more than one person might confuse him. Everyone has their own methods, and experiencing a number of them can leave your pooch confused. Therefore, ensure that only one person is doing the training. The other people should only reinforce the person’s rules and stick by them.

If you already have a dog at home, take your existing dog to meet the potential new one. Dogs are quite social, though not all get along well. If you can find compatible dogs, it will save you a lot of trouble and anguish.

You need to think everything through before you bring a dog home. Falling in love with a puppy is easy, but there is more to taking care of a dog than that. Take everything into consideration first to make sure you can provide your puppy with everything that he needs and to be able to manage it successfully.

You can tell about your dog’s health by feeling is nose, but there are other factors, too. Your dog’s nose could be wet and cold for many other reasons. Judge health by looking at your dog’s demeanor, appetite, and energy. These are the best ways to know how the dog is. Dogs can have their temperature taken rectally.

Use different reward systems to find out what your dog prefers. You will quickly notice that some rewards are more appreciated than others. Dogs will always respond to food as a treat, so see what types works best. If your dog is more motivated by toys, offer up a short game of fetch or tug-of-war when your puppy obeys properly. Petting can be the best reward too.

Dogs are fantastic animals to have around the house. Dogs can enrich your life in so many ways. Now you know much more about having a happy, healthy dog. You really can have the perfect furry friend.