You may already have a preconceived notion of what you look in a pet store or pound. What actually get could be very different. No matter what, and the following article will show you how to go about doing that.

You should take your dog to the vet at least once a day. Since your dog does not speak the human language, you may have difficulty figuring out if a tooth starts hurting or where arthritis is developing. A yearly checkup once a year will help diagnose any problems before they become huge issues.

If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure your dog cannot access it. Call your vet immediately if you suspect that the dog swallows any pills.

Be wary of the ingredients in many flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of the ones on the market have chemicals that might be bad for children. Talk to the vet about safer alternatives.

This communicates to your dog that he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. It teaches your pup that they will receive attention if they behave as you want them to.

Speak to your vet about your dog’s eating each day.While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, they are sometimes incorrect and may make your dog overweight. Ask your vet what the right meal plan is for the proper amount based on your dog.

Take time to correct bad behavior when you first sign of it. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so keep him under control.

You need to trim your nails.If they get too long and start to curl, you dog could experience quite a bit of pain. You can do your own trimming with clippers from the pet store. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a local pet groomer.

If you are going to get a dog from the shelter, take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Dogs are exposed to more likely to be sick or have exposure to viruses in the shelter. You need to ensure your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.

Trim the hair around your pup’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. A comb is a good tool to straighten the dog’s fur before you do any cutting. If you’re uncomfortable trimming hair, enlist the services of a groomer.

Follow instructions from the vet if your dog needs special or has medication. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but he needs to keep wearing it!

A lot of dog owners leave their dogs to the city pound because they can no longer keep their pet for whatever reason. Just call your local humane society to see what breeds they have available. You may be saving a dog’s life in the process.

Take your dog to the veterinarian regularly. Puppies tend to need to go to the vet more than adults. You will also should see a vet right away if your dog seems ill or gets injured.

Are you aware that some vitamins can actually harm dogs? Your dog should not need a vitamin supplement if he is eating a well-balanced diet.Too many of some vitamins can damage joints, bones, joints and blood vessels. Speak with the vet before you give your dog any vitamins.

You need to establish a healthy diet for your dog eats. Puppies can eat lots of calorie filled foods because they are still growing. If an adult eats this food, it could result in weight gain.

Don’t have high expectations with your dog that are too high. Your dog’s attentions span is relatively short.

With all of this great advice available to you, you would be a fool to ignore it. Use it in all that you do and watch the difference in the behavior of your dog. A happy, healthy dog is a dream come true for a family.