Dogs are love incarnate. Having a healthy and happy dog depends on your ability to meet their needs. Keep reading for some valuable tips on how to develop a wonderful relationship with your canine companion.

Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog’s body parts. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This statement is most definitely not true.

Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for use around small kids.

You should talk to your vet about the foods you give your dog. In some cases, your pet may not be able to consume certain food brands without becoming nauseous. Never give your dog any food you are not sure of.

Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your dog develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!

The daily brushing of your dog’s coat is beneficial, in more ways that just stopping constant shedding. Brushing them daily can help them keep a shiny and beautiful coat. The reason for this is that brushing distributes a dog’s oils from its skin so it looks soft and shiny.

Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. Dogs in shelters could be sick or may have already been exposed to some viruses. Have your dog checked over and given vaccinations as soon as possible.

Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. Make him walk at your side, and do not let him pull far in front of you or stay far behind. Use the command “heel” to prompt him. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.

Becoming a foster home is a good way to work with dogs without committing to one on a long term basis. A lot of shelters that take in homeless or abused animals have a way to let you adopt them for a while. Not only will you be helping a dog in need, but it will help you figure out if you would like to become a dog owner.

Dogs bring great joy to the lives of many. As a dog owner, you need to be responsible and learn how you can properly care for your pet. Hopefully this article gave you lots of excellent information about looking after “man’s best friend.”

Great information. Wouldn’t you agree? For more great dog information, follow this link.

Check out the Mother of all Dog Sites.