The Basics of Dog Care

Aren’t dogs amazing? They are smart, loving, loyal, and all-around fantastic. They have an incredible amount of health benefits for the owners and can even help children learn responsibility.  There is no denying that dogs are an essential part of life. But it is incredibly important that you know how to take care of a dog before you decide to buy one. And you need to know which method is going to be best for you.  Some people prefer to have a puppy, while others prefer to adopt. That is a personal decision, and you should take some time to get it right.

There are a couple of fundamental steps to taking care of your dog correctly. Most of them are logical, but it always pays to be aware of exactly what you can do to make sure your dog has a beautiful life.

Medical care

One of the most important things that you can do for your dog is to make sure that you are registered with a vet. You will need to register with a veterinarian quite early on in your dog’s life. They do require a number of vaccinations to enable them to actually go outside. Your vet will be able to give you a schedule for your vaccinations, to take care of fleas and worms, as well as any other healthcare requirements.  Something else that is great is to look into dental care. It is very important that you take care of your dog’s teeth. Sedation free dog dental care is one of the best ways to give your dog great dental care that doesn’t leave them feeling groggy.

Diet

Much like any other type of animal, dogs require a very specific and well-balanced diet. Dogs do have an ideal weight, and they do require a specific amount of nutrients per day.  You can discuss this with your vet or the home or breeder that you purchased your dog from. It is very important that you look into all of the aspects of a dog’s diet. For example, what separates one food from another.  The nutritional needs of your pooch will also change based on their breed, size, age, and level of activities. And when it comes to treats, you must buy dog-friendly treats only. Well, you might think That those few table scraps are just tasty treats. They can play havoc on your dog’s stomach.

Grooming

Long-haired dogs usually need to have regular grooming appointments. This will make sure that they don’t get any mats or nasty infections in their skin. And when your dog gets a little bit older and isn’t able to walk for as long as they used to, you might find that their nails start to overgrow as well.  Dog grooming is not only for aesthetic purposes. It can play a huge role in keeping your dog well maintained.

Water

Your dog will drink a surprising amount of water per day, and it is up to you to make sure that your dog has the option to have the optimal hydration for them. Make sure that you have fresh water down all day.  This might mean that you will need to check back regularly every few hours and replace the water that is in there or keep the water topped up. This is essential for all of your dog’s organs, hair, and general health.

Cleanliness

Just like you, your dog deserves to live somewhere clean and well-kept. Having your dog have somewhere that only they can go to relax is also very important. Make sure that you clean up the dog bed regularly.  Depending on the material, it might need to have a different kind of a wash. If you use hard plastic beds with cushions inside, make sure that you disinfect the hard plastic dog bed regularly too.

Learn

Dogs are very social creatures, and they do like to learn and be challenged. When possible, try to attend a class with your dog. You can both learn new skills and spend quality time together.  Another reason why this is a great thing to do is it means that you and your dog have begun to understand each other a little bit more. As dogs can’t tell us what is wrong with them, we have to be able to learn to read their body language and look for signs that they are unhappy or not feeling well.  And a further reason for making sure that you attend training with your dog is that it will help to stop any undesirable behavior patterns before they become cemented and begin to cause an issue.

Active

Regardless of the breed of dog, you choose, you are going to need to make sure that your dog has enough exercise each and every day. Although some breeds are slightly more on the lazy side than others, you’re still going to have to have that in your routine. Making sure that your dog has plenty of regular exercises can also help them to reduce any hyperactive behavior or destructive behavior within the home. As well as the daily or twice daily walks for your pooch, try to fit in an extra-long walk at least once a week. This gives them a chance to explore new places, and we all know how much dogs love to explore.

When you take the time to learn about the breed of dog that you are choosing, as well as how to take care of them correctly, you are much more likely to have a long and healthy relationship with your dog. Dogs respond well to training, and routine, which means that you should be able to provide these things for them as well as a warm space that they have of their own. Although dogs are not the most complicated creatures, these basics will make sure that your dog has the very best life leaving you free to enjoy all of those warm fuzzy cuddles.

“If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.” – Roger A. Caras