It's never going to be easy all of the time when you own a dog. Dogs, just like children, need to be fed the right foods, exercised, groomed and cleaned, and taken to the doctor. How can you learn all the steps you need to take? This article will teach you everything that is needed to be a great dog owner.

Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog's body parts. Many people believe that the human mouth has more germs than that of a dog - this isn't true. Definitely do not believe that!

When bringing dogs on vacation, it pays to take a photo of them to keep on your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our "lost" flyers.

Take your dog to the vet at least one time a year for checkups. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. An annual vet visit can help you find problems early.

If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. You want to reinforce your dog's good behaviors. It also teaches your dog that when he does the things you want, he will get praised.

Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. They may be carrying some sort of illness that they picked up at the shelter. That is why it's important to have a full checkup and a course of vaccinations before you bring your puppy home.

Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Real bones can break into pieces that can then become dangerous due to how sharp and small they can be. Rawhide is healthy and good for their teeth, so don't share that T-bone no matter what faces they make.

If you buy a new dog, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible. This should be one of the first things that you attend to when you're bringing home a new pet. A vet will make sure the dog is healthy and also set up a future schedule of vaccinations. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don't need to add to.

Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. You can even teach your dog useful tricks such as fetching the newspaper for you. Many dogs were originally bred to work, and will get frustrated if you do not give them a job to do.

Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it's leashed. Your pet shouldn't be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn't by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say "heel". Following this tip can make walking safer for your pet, and it can also make walks more enjoyable for both of you. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.

A dog can be a great source of happiness in any family. That said, you need to be educated about what it takes to have a happy, healthy dog. With some luck, this article will give you some great information on how to care for your dog.