Are you now a dog owner, or have you been in previous years? If so, you are already familiar with the joys of owning these fantastic pets. Still, as with anything in life, the more you know, the better. You will find plenty of excellent advice about owning a dog in this article.

Ask your vet what kinds of foods you should feed to your dog and what to stay away from. Certain brands may not be right for a small pup and could cause him to get a stomachache or become sick. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.

If your dog behaves properly, be sure it is praised and given affection. It’s important that you pooch is aware that they did something good. This will also give your dog incentive to be good.

Daily brushing brings great rewards – much more than just a reduction in shedding. Brushing daily will give them a shiny, beautiful coat. When you brush fur, you’re also spreading around the oils that help keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and healthy.

If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. Your dog may hate wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason. When a vet makes a recommendation, it is for the safety and health of your dog; if you ignore them, that can lead to trouble.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog that is pure bred, keep the local pound in mind. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Call the pound to see what they have. This action could also help to save the life of a dog!

Stimulate your dog mentally and physically with plenty of exercise. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. He will always feel useful and a part of the family, while the constant reinforcement of training will keep his thinking skills sharp.

Tag your dog with proper identification to make sure that you can bring him home if he is lost. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. You can also opt to have a micro-chip inserted into your dog.

As the beginning of this article discussed, owning a dog is very rewarding. When you know all you can about dogs, the rewards are even greater! Thanks to the advice above, you should know a lot more about dog care. Take advantage of what you have learned and enjoy a healthy, happy relationship with your dog!

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