When it comes to owning a dog, it is never a piece of cake. You must care for a dog as you would a child with proper care, feeding and grooming, socializing, education and medical care. How do you learn about everything you have to know? This article is a great place to get started acquiring dog ownership know-how.

If you have over-the-counter medication or prescription medication in your home, keep it in a place the dog can’t access it. Just a few of your pills can be disastrous for the dog, inducing a heart attack or seizure. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In addition to verbal commands, employ a variety of hand signals when training your dog. Dogs tend to respond better with these additional types of signals instead of always relying on voice commands. Give both methods a shot, and see what your pet prefers.

Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be careful when it comes to what you feed your pet.

If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. This will show your dog that the behavior he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. This shows your pup that when things are done right, he will be rewarded.

If separation anxiety plagues your dog, or you want your dog to feel less lonely, play some music while you are at work. The noise make them feel more secure and keeps them company. This may help ease the dog’s fears and calm him down just enough so he isn’t going crazy while he awaits your arrival.

These tips can be used in your daily life with your dog. If you want to become the benevolent, caring master your dog deserves, you should be well on your way. Your dog will be much happier and healthier if you put some effort into being a good dog owner.