Taking care of an animal is a big responsibility, and if you choose to get a dog, you need to be ready for getting a new soul into your family. A dog has many needs, and when you bring one at home, it’s important to take into consideration several things. You might not know what life with a dog is – it can be beautiful as the dog can be your best friend, but it can also have some disadvantages, at least until you get a routine set in place.
The Vet
First of all, you need to take the dog to the vet. The vet is the only one who can tell you if your dog has health problems and what it needs for treatment. When the dog is five weeks old, the vet needs to give him individual shots to protect both you and the dog. The vaccines are for protection against different diseases that the man can also receive through a dog-bite, so they are imperative.
There are several shots that the vet needs to administrate to the dog when it is small, until six months. When the dog turns one year, they will receive a multi-purpose vaccine that protects them against different illnesses. Apart from the vaccines, the vet will also give you health supplements for your pet, and you will also get a recommendation for food.
First of all, you need to take the dog to the vet. The vet is the only one who can tell you if your dog has health problems and what it needs for treatment. When the dog is five weeks old, the vet needs to give him individual shots to protect both you and the dog. The vaccines are for protection against different diseases that the man can also receive through a dog-bite, so they are imperative.
There are several shots that the vet needs to administrate to the dog when it is small, until six months. When the dog turns one year, they will receive a multi-purpose vaccine that protects them against different illnesses. Apart from the vaccines, the vet will also give you health supplements for your pet, and you will also get a recommendation for food.
The Food
Speaking of food, you need to know that the dogs need to eat only particular food, as they are not allowed to eat what you eat. You can’t give them treats like chocolate or sweets – it’s not good for them, and it is not for eating.
When the dog is small, there are unique types of foods that contain all the nutrients that they need for helping them grow, have a healthy body and a beautiful fur.
Speaking of food, you need to know that the dogs need to eat only particular food, as they are not allowed to eat what you eat. You can’t give them treats like chocolate or sweets – it’s not good for them, and it is not for eating.
When the dog is small, there are unique types of foods that contain all the nutrients that they need for helping them grow, have a healthy body and a beautiful fur.
The Place
When you get a dog at your house, you need to teach him the rules of the place. The dog needs to learn where it can enter and where it’s forbidden to go, where the food is and where the door is. You need to set strict rules because otherwise, the dog will try to become the master of the house and order everything like a pack. They are pack animals and start behaving like this if you can’t impose your will on them.
You don’t have to be violent, but keep an even level in speaking and addressing to your dog.
When you get a dog at your house, you need to teach him the rules of the place. The dog needs to learn where it can enter and where it’s forbidden to go, where the food is and where the door is. You need to set strict rules because otherwise, the dog will try to become the master of the house and order everything like a pack. They are pack animals and start behaving like this if you can’t impose your will on them.
You don’t have to be violent, but keep an even level in speaking and addressing to your dog.
Playing with Your Dog
Don’t imagine that if you have a dog, it will stay still and quiet all day long. Every dog needs exercise and play, and you need to spend at least two hours per day doing this. You can take your dog to training, but you will still need to spend some quality time with him. It creates the bond that becomes stronger and stronger as time goes by because it’s the only way that you get to know each other.
If you take the dog to a specialized trainer, he will teach him different tricks like “sit” or “come”, but depending on the breed, you can have your dog trained for security services. You will gain a further protection if your dog is part of a big race and can protect your property.
However, before you get to that stage, you need to spend time with your puppy and cuddle it as much as you can. The time goes by so fast that when it grows up, you won’t be able to take it in your arms, especially if it’s big.
Don’t imagine that if you have a dog, it will stay still and quiet all day long. Every dog needs exercise and play, and you need to spend at least two hours per day doing this. You can take your dog to training, but you will still need to spend some quality time with him. It creates the bond that becomes stronger and stronger as time goes by because it’s the only way that you get to know each other.
If you take the dog to a specialized trainer, he will teach him different tricks like “sit” or “come”, but depending on the breed, you can have your dog trained for security services. You will gain a further protection if your dog is part of a big race and can protect your property.
However, before you get to that stage, you need to spend time with your puppy and cuddle it as much as you can. The time goes by so fast that when it grows up, you won’t be able to take it in your arms, especially if it’s big.
Ten Tips for Taking Care of Your Dog
1.PROVIDE A PROTECTED AND CLEAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR DOG. Shelter from the elements and hazards, as well as good hygiene, are basic to a quality life.
2.ALWAYS KEEP FRESH WATER AVAILABLE. Maintaining optimal hydration is important for health and energy.
3.FEED A QUALITY DIET AND PREVENT OBESITY. Overweight humans and animals can adversely affect health in many ways. Follow the dietary recommendations that your veterinarian will make according to the nutritional needs of your dog, based on size, age, level of activity and breed. Remember to provide healthy treats rather than table scraps, as rewards.
4.HAVE YOUR PET EXAMINED BY A VETERINARIAN ON A REGULAR BASIS. Your veterinarian will provide you with the information on vaccination schedules, deworming and external parasite control. Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination records in your home or with you when you travel. Contact your veterinarian if you believe that your pet may be ill, injured, or if something just doesn’t seem right. Your veterinarian is the expert on keeping your dog healthy. Work as a team with him or her.
5.PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE. Make sure your dog gets the regular exercise needed to enable it to be fit. By being in shape, your dog will be more capable of participating in the activities that it enjoys.
6.COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR DOG AND DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP. Dogs are social creatures and they need to interact with their owner. Quality time will help you get to know your dog and understand particular needs that it might have, as well enhance your ability to recognize early signs of an illness that could be developing. In addition, time spent in developing a relationship will help prevent many undesirable behavioral patterns.
7.TRAIN YOUR DOG TO FOLLOW THE SIMPLE COMMANDS. Puppy and dog training classes can be very helpful. The better your dog is at following basic and necessary commands, the greater the chances are that your dog will live a safe and long life.
8.PRACTICE REPRODUCTIVE CONTROL. If you do not intend to create puppies, spaying or neutering is a certain option. If you plan to breed your dog or are opposed to spaying and neutering for other reasons, take appropriate measures to prevent mismatings. Consult with your veterinarian in regard to other options that are available.
9.DENTAL CARE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Many breeds are prone to gum disease, which can have serious implications. Infection resulting from this condition leads to premature tooth loss, and can commonly cause infections in major organs, including the heart valves.
10.DON’T OVERLOOK GROOMING AND NAIL TRIMMING. Long coated dogs are prone to developing matts and ice balls in their hair. Overgrown nails are common in elderly dogs and can make it more difficult for them to walk. In addition, such nails are much more prone to breaking, which can be quite painful.
IN CONCLUSION, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. READ UP AND LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT YOUR DOG’S BREED SPECIFICALLY, AND ABOUT RAISING, TRAINING AND LIVING WITH DOGS, IN GENERAL. THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE CONFIDENT YOU’LL BE IN PROVIDING A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOME FOR YOUR DOG.
1.PROVIDE A PROTECTED AND CLEAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR DOG. Shelter from the elements and hazards, as well as good hygiene, are basic to a quality life.
2.ALWAYS KEEP FRESH WATER AVAILABLE. Maintaining optimal hydration is important for health and energy.
3.FEED A QUALITY DIET AND PREVENT OBESITY. Overweight humans and animals can adversely affect health in many ways. Follow the dietary recommendations that your veterinarian will make according to the nutritional needs of your dog, based on size, age, level of activity and breed. Remember to provide healthy treats rather than table scraps, as rewards.
4.HAVE YOUR PET EXAMINED BY A VETERINARIAN ON A REGULAR BASIS. Your veterinarian will provide you with the information on vaccination schedules, deworming and external parasite control. Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination records in your home or with you when you travel. Contact your veterinarian if you believe that your pet may be ill, injured, or if something just doesn’t seem right. Your veterinarian is the expert on keeping your dog healthy. Work as a team with him or her.
5.PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE. Make sure your dog gets the regular exercise needed to enable it to be fit. By being in shape, your dog will be more capable of participating in the activities that it enjoys.
6.COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR DOG AND DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP. Dogs are social creatures and they need to interact with their owner. Quality time will help you get to know your dog and understand particular needs that it might have, as well enhance your ability to recognize early signs of an illness that could be developing. In addition, time spent in developing a relationship will help prevent many undesirable behavioral patterns.
7.TRAIN YOUR DOG TO FOLLOW THE SIMPLE COMMANDS. Puppy and dog training classes can be very helpful. The better your dog is at following basic and necessary commands, the greater the chances are that your dog will live a safe and long life.
8.PRACTICE REPRODUCTIVE CONTROL. If you do not intend to create puppies, spaying or neutering is a certain option. If you plan to breed your dog or are opposed to spaying and neutering for other reasons, take appropriate measures to prevent mismatings. Consult with your veterinarian in regard to other options that are available.
9.DENTAL CARE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Many breeds are prone to gum disease, which can have serious implications. Infection resulting from this condition leads to premature tooth loss, and can commonly cause infections in major organs, including the heart valves.
10.DON’T OVERLOOK GROOMING AND NAIL TRIMMING. Long coated dogs are prone to developing matts and ice balls in their hair. Overgrown nails are common in elderly dogs and can make it more difficult for them to walk. In addition, such nails are much more prone to breaking, which can be quite painful.
IN CONCLUSION, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. READ UP AND LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT YOUR DOG’S BREED SPECIFICALLY, AND ABOUT RAISING, TRAINING AND LIVING WITH DOGS, IN GENERAL. THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE CONFIDENT YOU’LL BE IN PROVIDING A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOME FOR YOUR DOG.