For thousands of years now, dogs have been domestic animals. The bonding of dog and man has been mutually satisfying on many levels. However, since you’re the human, you’re going to have to be sure that you’re caring for the dog properly. Use the tips from this article to help you know understand how to have a healthy dog.

It is important to puppy-proof your home. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.

If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. Training a dog in a very populated area is never a good idea. People will only distract your dog, making it more difficult to train him.

The dog breed you choose should blend in well with your lifestyle. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.

Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. This also shows the dog that good behavior will earn praise.

Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Pieces can break off of the real bone, which may cause your dog to choke. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.

If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. Shelter dogs have likely been exposed to all kinds of viruses, such as parvo and distemper, which are deadly. You should also get your dog all of his shots before bringing him into your home.

Train your dog how to properly walk when on a leash. They should walk by your side, instead of behind or in front of you, and they must respond to “heel.” Your dog will be safer in this position, and you’ll both enjoy your walks more this way. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.

You can find many types of dogs at the pound, even pure breeds. A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound when they can’t look after their dog anymore. Contact the pound in your area to see what kinds of breeds they have at the time. This could help you save the life of a dog.

You have a duty to your dog, to make sure his needs are met and he is well taken care of. It is a simple task once you know what needs to be done, and this article will help you with that. The tips you have learned here should make you and your dog happy.

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