Priority number one after getting a new dog, whether puppy or rescue, should be making sure they can find their way back home if he or she ever gets lost. Over 10 million pets are lost every year and it happens to even the most responsible dog owners! The best way to protect your pup is to get it microchipped, says Aimee Gilbreath. Find out more!

Some dogs are immediately comfortable with other animals but many are not, and throwing your dog into a situation with another dog to ‘make friends’ is a recipe for disaster, Gilbreath says. Start by making a careful introduction, looking for signs of distress in both animals.

Introducing a new dog to your existing pets requires planning and patience, Gilbreath says. Make the first introduction on neutral ground (as in, not your home), keep both dogs leashed at first to maintain control, and have plenty of treats on hand to reinforce good behavior, she recommends.

It can be hard to resist Fido’s pleading eyes at the dinner table, but letting him eat human food is a risky endeavor, Gilbreath says. ‘While most fruits and veggies are good for dogs, many aren’t,’ she says. ‘The biggest no-nos are grapes, nuts, onions, and garlic.’

Lilies, chrysanthemums, and tulips are all beautiful blooms but they are also toxic to dogs, Gilbreath says. ‘Many of nature’s beauties have ugly side effects that range from stomach issues to death,’ she says. ‘You’d think your pup would be smart enough to not eat your floral arrangement but vets see plenty of these cases every year.’

Just because someone is a loving pet owner doesn’t mean they’re qualified to be a pet sitter, says Beth Stultz-Hairston, vice president of Pet Sitters International. People see it as an easy way to earn some quick cash but there’s a lot more that goes into taking care of a pet than just feeding and walking them, she says.