When you invite a dog into your home, you are getting more than a pet. This animal will quickly become your best friend and a member of your family. Knowing the best methods of caring for him will help both of you learn to live together in peace. Keep reading to learn some tips about caring for your new friend.

Make sure that your home is safe for your dog. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. All cleaning supplies and medications should be moved out of reach of your dog. You should also find a way of securing your trash somewhere that your dog cannot get to, such as in a cabinet. Some indoor plants are poisonous, so put them high up.

Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Your dog can’t speak to you, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. A veterinary checkup can speak when your dog cannot, and it might help you to detect health problems before they become severe.

Much like people in the United States, many dogs are overweight. Having a few extra pounds on their frame can lead to a number of health problems, like cancer or diabetes. Many owners simply overfeed their pets. Talk to your veterinarian about how many calories your dog needs each day so you can adjust their meals accordingly.

Never bring your dog with you while flying during the hot summer months, unless the airline provides a climate-controlled cabin for him. Most of the major carriers use the same area for pets as they do for cargo, meaning your dog will have to endure some pretty high temperatures as you travel to your destination, jeopardizing his safety.

Never allow your dog to be alone with small children, no matter how much you trust his temperament. Many little kids have been attacked by family dogs who have otherwise never demonstrated a tendency towards violence. Sleeping dogs may be woken by a toddler and react negatively or some other offense is committed against the animal that sets him off.

Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. In some cases, your pet may not be able to consume certain food brands without becoming nauseous. Always be cautious when you’re thinking of feeding your dog.

Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. A good example would be if you are a runner. A dog that can keep up with you while you run would be a good choice. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.

Dogs love to eat grass and other plants. When you’re outside, this may not be much of a problem, but if you maintain houseplants indoors, chances are they are poisonous to dogs. Before bringing a dog into the home, make sure all your houseplants are well out of reach of a dog who may be tempted by a green tasty treat.

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.

Make sure that you trim your dog’s nails on a fairly regular basis. You do not want them to get too long since it will make it uncomfortable for them to walk and they may develop health issues. They should be at a length that just about touches the ground.

Avoid leaving your pup outside all day. While this is what many people do, dogs require socialization with people and/or other animals. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. Plan on bringing your dog inside when the weather is rainy, snowy, very hot, or very cold.

It is very common for objects to get lodged in the pads of your dogs paws. Check them regularly to make sure that nothing is in there. If you see something, be very careful about taking it out, or it may become lodged even deeper. It is a wise to use tweezers for this.

Keep a close eye on a female dog when she’s in heat to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. A male will be able to smell her from a far distance. As well as possibly causing a fight amongst male dogs in the area, she might actually get pregnant.

Always be sure that your dog understands that you are the master if you want to have a well behaved pet. This is important because if your dog believes that he is dominant over you, then you have a much smaller chance of getting it to obey your commands and behave according to your wishes.

Always make sure your dog has fresh water available. Water is essential for the health of a dog. He can easily become dehydrated without it or look for unsafe water sources, such as puddles or contaminated ponds. Making sure your dog always has water is an easy way to keep him happy and safe.

You need to consider your own life when you are thinking about getting a dog. Wanting a dog is the easy part, but is your lifestyle ready to handle a full time commitment like a canine?

Outdoor doghouses are not enough to keep your furry friend comfortable in cold weather. You must also provide some sort of bedding for him. Choose from straw, hay, cedar bedding or even blankets. Make sure that you change the bedding often no matter what you choose to ensure that there no bugs move in and mold doesn’t grow.

You should now have a better understanding of what is necessary for the proper care of your furry friend. Keep these tips in mind as you live your day to day life. Soon, you will not have problems of any kind and will have a healthy companion to enjoy and love.