Raising a dog is a big undertaking and long term commitment. The responsibilities that come along with owning a pet are numerous, however so are the rewards. This article aims to provide you with a few useful tips to help you with the different aspects of owning and caring for a dog.

If the cost of your dog's high-quality food is a burden for your family, team up with another one and buy in bulk. The big-name pet store chains offer top rated names in pet cuisine at a significant discount when bought in the larger quantities. You can minimize the cost for you and puppies - topic some friends while still providing your dogs with fresh and wholesome meals.

Taking in a dog is not a small task, but the information you have learned from this article should make it that much easier. Keep learning all you can about your canine friend. By Doing Funny Things this, you will enjoy an incredible furry companion for years to come.

Keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy with regular brushing. Most canines don't mind you brushing their teeth, provided you introduce them to the process slowly and gently. Use a specially designed dog brush, along with other products made just for him. Remember to provide him with toys and biscuits that will also clean and protect his teeth.

Never give your dog milk! It's not necessary for his body and he doesn't have the proper enzymes to digest it anyway. Feeding your dog cow's milk can lead to chronic diarrhea and leave him with an upset stomach, among other health problems. Stick with plain old water for a healthy and hydrated dog.

If your vet gives you medication to take home and administer to your dog, be sure and ask for ideas on getting him to swallow it. Dogs differ in their tolerance of pills and badly-flavored liquids, so have a few tricks up your sleeve in case he resists. Getting a dog to take medicine is important, but often challenging.

Never hit your dog. There are better ways to train a dog without having to resort to violence. The best way to train a dog is to reinforce positive behaviors with treats and attention. Negative behavior should be handled with a stern and disapproving voice as opposed to striking the animal.

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, 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.

Attention exercises must be practiced daily. These exercises will help you gain your dog's attention when they are barking or being disruptive or destructive. Once you can gain your dog's attention, you will have less to worry about when you have him out of the house or when there is company over.

There are few greater joys in life than the love you can share with your loyal companion. It won't always be a walk in the park but the rewards are more than worth it. Enjoy your pup and continue to learn more to help keep your lives happy and healthy.

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!

Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, Puppies Topic #2 take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. They may be carrying some sort of illness that they picked up at the shelter. It's smart to ensure your dog has all shots necessary before you take him home.

When giving your dog a bath, make sure that you only put on shampoo that is intended for canines. Using lukewarm water, get the entire body wet and then begin applying the shampoo to their face, working your way down their body. Wait a few minutes and then take a washcloth and wipe off the suds from your pet's face. Wash off the rest of the shampoo as well.

Are you interested in rescuing a dog from the local pound? Do you want to add a purebred pup to your family? Getting a dog will give you endless amounts of love, whether it be mutt or show dog. But, you have to be responsible as well, which is why you should read the whole article that follows.

It's a good idea to have your regular dog training sessions in your own yard or at home. It's a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. This can cause your dog to get distracted, which can make training them simple commands almost impossible.

Your dog should not be left outside in the yard by himself for the entire day. This is common for people to do, but dogs should interact with others. A dog by himself tends to be lonely and not motivated to do anything. It's especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.

It is important for you to take your dog in to see the vet on a fairly regular basis. Just like humans, dogs can develop health problems like toothaches, arthritis and weight gain. Do not wait until you think your dog is sick before taking him in to be seen.