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Owning a pooch is a huge responsibility. Being a dog owner is almost like being a parent. Just replace barks for cries. While it is a tough job, it is possible to succeed by using smarts and patience. Continue reading to find out some great tips for caring for your dog.

Make your home safe for your dog. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Medicine and cleaners should be stored, and indoor trash should be placed in a cabinet. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.

When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Hand signals can really help your dog. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.

Get your dog neutered. Your pet stands to enjoy a significantly better (and longer) life. It's been verified through research that this simple procedure reduces cancer risks and provides other benefits, too. Furthermore, altered dogs do not have the tendency to wander off, so they will stay safer.

It's a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you're traveling with him. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make “lost” posters.

If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. This may distract your pet which will make it a lot harder to teach it even basic things.

Don't buy cheap dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren't the best for your dog. Check with an animal advocacy group for a list of foods you should be feeding your dog. Higher quality dog food will offer your dog many health benefits.

If you want to keep your dog outside, build him or her a small shelter. If his feet are wet, extreme temperatures can be stressful and bad for his health. Give your dog a shelter that is spacious and dry, and your dog will be protected from the hard winds and dampness.

You should take dog care seriously. Owning a dog is almost like having a child in that you're the one responsible for keeping your dog alive. Taking care of a dog requires consistency and responsibility, and you can do it if you apply yourself. Use what you learned here and incorporate it into taking care of your own dog. about chiguagua