Dogs are great companions. They’re by your side for all of life’s little moments -- their head buried in your lap while you watch tv, their excited yelp from the back seat of the car when they realize you’re almost at the dog park. But dogs are only able to share their lives with us for a short time. That’s why the health of your pet is an important consideration. Like a human, a dog needs to follow a healthy diet, get regular visits to the veterinarian, go for the occasional run, and even have health insurance. While this will help you make your dog's life a little happier, maybe a little longer, it's not the fountain of youth. You are still likely to outlive your furry friend.

In many ways, bringing a pet into your home is like bringing home a baby. New pet parents should take precautions to assure their dog, cat or other pet won’t harm themselves or ruin furniture and appliances around the home. From special room designs and gadgets to organic cleaning products, there are many ways one can pet-proof their place. 

Going back to basics, there are many training options for your pet available to you at the click of a button. For instance, websites like PetFinder provide online tutorials on how to train your dog. One useful command is “leave it,” which will teach your dog to essentially stop eating and chewing on everything from your dining room table to something potentially hazardous to them such as a bar of soap in the bathroom.