Be strong when the time comes to say goodby to your beloved dog. Many owners keep the animal suffering to keep them in their lives and that's not fair to the dog. Consult with your vet, then talk it over with family. If it's time to part ways with your dog, do what's best for him.

Because non-verbal communication is vital to dogs, you should devote yourself to learning how to read your dog's signals. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don't force interaction. This might lead to a bite to another dog or even to a person. Keep an eye out for your dog's hints, and do what he needs you to do.

When taking your senior dog to the vet for an annual visit, make sure to request senior blood work. A blood panel can help your vet to identify any kidney, heart or vascular concerns. If caught early, treatment is often minimally invasive and less costly. This is a great way to keep your pet healthy for years to come.

Dogs need a great deal of attention on a daily basis. If you have a hard time making time for your dog you will soon notice that there are behavioral problems that were not there before. In the least, you should try to set aside an hour each day just to love your dog.

If you've got the most well-behaved and lovable dog around, share his good nature with those less fortunate. You could bring him to visit the elderly in nursing homes or sick children in hospitals. Not only will you be improving the quality of life for those people, but your dog will love being a super-star wherever he goes!

Try to always be aware of how your dog is feeling. If your dog seems to be nervous, fearful, or scared of certain things, you should take note of this and try to avoid putting your dog in a stressful situation. When a dog is stressed or afraid, you could traumatize your dog if you insist that it stays in the stressful situation.

Giving your dog a bath is essential to his health. Depending on his size and activity level, toss him in the tub weekly or monthly and always use a shampoo that is made for dogs and is pH balanced. Pets have different pH levels than humans and a good dog shampoo will leave your canine clean with a beautiful shiny coat.

When you are trimming your dog's nails, keep a close eye on the tips of the nails. Once you see a pale oval on the tip, stop clipping. This is a sign that you are close to the vein. If you go too far, apply a little bit of styptic powder to it to help stop the bleeding.

Practice training your dog around your home, where you and your pup can be alone. Avoid training your dog in heavily occupied areas. They may get distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands.

Owning a new puppy is very similar to having a new baby. Puppies Topic need a lot of attention and have to be taken care of constantly. They are not ready to be left alone for long periods of time and need to have a fair amount of attention devoted to them.

If you have a snack, you might think that it's okay for your dog to take a bite. You can do this with some foods, but not all. Do not give dogs any chocolate or caffeine, as these foods are detrimental to their health. These food can have harmful effects on your pup's health.

Sometimes our dogs can get a little fat. This usually happens do to dietary reasons and due to a lack of exercise. The excess weight isn't Doing Funny Things much for your dog's physical appearance or it's health. You can help your dog lose that weight by using the tips included below.

Do you have a "wrinkly" dog, like a bulldog? If so, you have to be conscientious about the grooming process in order to help keep your pet clean. After you brush, take a baby wipe and use it to get in between the folds on their body. Make sure, though, to get them fully dry after doing so.

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. You should congratulate your dog when it displays a good behavior, for instance by giving it a treat or petting it. Talk to your dog in a soft voice and make sure you praise it every time the good behavior is displayed.

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. It's smart to ensure your dog has all shots necessary before you take him home.

It is important for you to take your dog in to see the vet on a fairly regular basis. Just like humans, dogs can develop health problems like toothaches, arthritis and weight gain. Do not wait until you think your dog is sick before taking him in to be seen.

Leaving a radio playing while you are gone will help your dog stay calm and may alleviate separation anxiety. The music will calm the dog down, and they'll feel like someone else is there. It may just be the fix needed for the dog's anxiety problems until you get back to the house.

Take your grown dog to the vet at least once a year. The vet will check to see if the dog's vaccines up to date. In addition, the vet will check the dog's teeth and vital signs. If any major health or Puppies Topic #2 behavioral issues come up between annual checkups, you should see the vet earlier.