Brush your dog's teeth every week. Use a child's toothbrush that is soft, some nylon pantyhose over your finger, or a gauze pad. Don't use regular toothpaste. Instead, try using a baking soda and water paste or toothpaste made for dogs. Clean their teeth one to two times a week.

You shouldn't make your dog do something it doesn't want to do. If you got them a treat and they aren't interested in it, don't make them eat it. When you have a new dog, take time to learn what they do and don't like.

Timing is key when bringing your dog home. Try to introduce him to his new home over the weekend or when you have a couple of days off. Take the time to get to know one other - this will make him feel much more comfortable when he has to spend time in the home alone. Also, if you have children, Puppies Topic make sure that they don't overwhelm him at first. If you have other pets in the house, be extra cautious when introducing the new arrival.

Take your grown dog to the vet at least once a year. The vet will check to see if the dog's vaccines up to date. In addition, the vet will check the dog's teeth and vital signs. If any major health or behavioral issues come up between annual checkups, you should see the vet earlier.

Be prepared for natural disasters that also impact your dog. Have an emergency supply of water and food for him and know in advance if your local shelter for people will allow pets inside. Too many pets are injured or lost following storms, Doing Funny Things floods and other situations that cause chaos in a community.

Were you aware of how harmful vitamins can be to your pet? Don't give your dog extra vitamins if he's eating a well-balanced diet. Too much of certain vitamins could cause damage to the blood vessels, bones and joints. Before giving your dog vitamins, get your vet's OK.

Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medication. The dog may hate that cone on its head, but it's there for a very good reason! Vet recommendations are for the health and well-being of your dog and failure to adhere to them could result in serious problems.

Refrain from making the training sessions with your dogs too long. Extended sessions can make a dog tire out and become bored easily when you are trying to teach them new things. Limit your training sessions to 20-30 minutes, as this will help to keep the full attention of your dog.

With all of this great information in hand, prepare to use it to better your dog's life. There is nothing like making your canine companion happy! In return for what you do for your dog, you will get their love back as well as feel great about making them a happy, healthy pup.

If you are not allowed to place a fence in your yard but want your dog to run freely there, consider an electric fence. Electric fences are easy and inexpensive to install, and they can help to keep your free roaming pet safely contained. Using them will require a little training, but they are quite effective if you put the work in.

Accept the aging process in your dog and know how to meet his changing needs. Your older dog may require dietary changes, more rest and not be as playful as he once was. This doesn't mean he should be left to grow old in a corner. Adapt to his needs and make his golden years enjoyable!

When selecting a brand of dog food for your pet, read the labels carefully and avoid the cheapest brands. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.

Trim hair around a dog's paws so that hair mats don't form. Straighten hair with a comb a bit before you trim it. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.

Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. This is vital to the care of a happy dog. Many people don't bother to exercise their dog, thinking that walks are enough. Dogs are active creatures and need to play. Talk to your veterinarian about how much activity your dog needs, and make sure he gets it.

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, Doing Funny Things and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

If you are planning on getting a new puppy, plan on investing in some training classes. These classes offer a great opportunity for your puppy to socialize with other dogs and learn basic commands. These classes will provide your new puppy with a great foundation for future training and will help them get a great start in life.

Your dog loves you unconditionally, and you want to make sure you provide the most for him. Therefore, it's imperative that you utilize the information you've been given so that you can work towards taking good care of your pet. Your pet deserves proper care, and you can now provide that to him.