Content writer-Andrews Thorpe
Are you a current or former pet owner, or are you considering becoming one? If you are, then you're already aware of how great dog ownership can be. But, just like everything else, owning a dog can be better if you're educated on the matter. The following information offers you just that, great dog advice.
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.
How Much Raw Food To Feed Dog
When you have a dog, make sure that you give him enough water. Water should be made available to your dog at all times of the day, particularly in the summertime. Put his water bowl somewhere where no one will trip over it, otherwise you'll be cleaning your floors all day!
If your dog gets lost, it is very unlikely that you will see him again unless he has proper identification. Tags can come off, so the best option is a microchip. It is quick to put in your dog, and it causes minimal discomfort. Simply register the chip ID after it is put in, and your pet will always have his identification with him.
How Much Food To Feed A Dog
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, 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.
You may be tempted to use your favorite hair shampoo on your dog, but this should not be done. Human shampoo can cause dog skin to dry out. Instead, find a quality shampoo that is made for dogs. When you bath your dog, make sure to rinse all of the residue out of his fur.
Who Makes Wholehearted Dog Food
Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Plenty of dogs are overweight, and just like humans, this can lead to health issues. People tend to overfeed their dogs, and many also feed them table scraps. A dog doesn't need as many calories as most people think; talk to your vet about how much you should feed him each day, and what food is most suitable. A vet will advise you based on his size, age and lifestyle.
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  
click for more  about how much activity your dog needs, and make sure he gets it.
Keep your dog mentally active along with providing him plenty of opportunity to get physical exercise. Make sure he can get the paper and help you around the house. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.
Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. The noise can help him feel more secure. That might work to appease his anxiety during the time you aren't home.
Your dog needs both physical and mental exercise. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog's mind, keeping him alert and attentive. Doing this will help your pet to feel like a loved and needed family member, and teaching your dog these skills will give it some much needed mental exercise.
It is very important for you to keep your dog's ears clean. Keeping the inside of the ears clean will help prevent infections of the ear. This is also a good time for you to inspect the ear for fleas, ticks and any other pests that could have made your dog's ear home.
Before you have your dog fitted with a microchip, be sure and check the database of the company that will store his information. Not all of them are created equal and you want to know that you'll get a fast response if your dog is lost. Look for a large database that connects to shelters and vets near you.
Clean up after your dog when they go to the bathroom in public. Many dog owners let their dog do their business wherever they please whether its on a sidewalk, neighbor's lawn, etc. They can do their business in public, but you must take a bag with you to clean it up when they're done so that it doesn't cause an unsightly and smelly mess for someone else.
Don't be hasty when deciding if you will get a dog or not.  
Read Significantly more  at the heartstrings, but you're not thinking about all the responsibilities caring for it will involve. Make sure that you understand all of the care dogs need so that you will know if you'll be able to do it all.
Be thoughtful about breeding your dog. Repeated breeding of a female can evetually lead to severe health problems for both the dog and the puppies that is born from her. If you plan to breed be sure to do your research first so that you can be sure that you are doing the right thing for your animals.
Never allow a puppy to climb up or down steps in order to prevent joint problems in the future. This is extremely important, especially with breeds that are at high risk for hip dysplasia. Any sort of high impact shock such as jumping or stair climbing should be avoided due to the fact that their growth plates are still developing.
The bowls your dog eats and drinks from need to be washed regularly. Just like you do not want to continuously eat and drink from bowls that are not very clean, your dog doesn't either. You need to wash the bowls on a daily basis.
When your dog is whining resist the temptation to comfort him. Although the temptation will be great to calm the dog down, you don't want to give him the impression that whining is OK. It is best to play a game your dog is familiar with so your pup forgets about its anxieties.
Whatever type of dog you have, and whether or not you are a novice owner or a pro, the advice you have read here should be able to help you out. When you take the time to learn, as you have today, you really are working hard to make your dog as happy as possible. Great job!