You Thought It Was a Leggo but It Was Actually a Doggo Bamboozled Again

Before bringing a dog into your family it is important to know how to take care of it. You need to provide for its needs, both concrete and emotional. This ways providing nutritious food, make clean drinking h2o, shelter, and the opportunity to live in a safe home. It also means ensuring that the dog is happy by providing ample play fourth dimension, enough of exercise, and stimulation for its listen. Caring for a canis familiaris is a big responsibility, and canis familiaris ownership is not something to enter into lightly, however this piece of work volition aid you to successfully build a bond of dear and trust with an important new member of your family unit.^[1]

1. 1

   Feed your dog a high quality dog food. Read the label of a prospective food.^[2] The outset couple ingredients should be some kind of meat, non meat past-product or a grain. This volition aid you know that the nutrient is high in expert protein, non but filler.

   • Ask your veterinarian for food recommendations. Your vet may be able to steer you towards a food that is just correct for your pup and he or she may also have recommendations for how much to feed the dog.

2. ii

   Feed your dog on a regular schedule. Information technology is recommended that you feed your domestic dog twice a day.^[3] Figure out the proper amount you lot should be feeding your dog daily, which is usually on the dog food package, and separate that corporeality in two. Feed your domestic dog the beginning half in the morning and the 2nd one-half in the evening.

   • A stable routine of feeding can too assistance y'all with house training. Dogs usually have to go to the bath 20 - xxx minutes after eating.

3. 3

   Avert giving your dog an excessive amount of treats or people food. This tin can atomic number 82 to weight gain or wellness problems for your pet. Stick to the dominion of just giving your dog treats when you're grooming it. Call up, this tin be difficult to follow, especially if your pup is looking at you with puppy dog eyes. All the same, stick to your guns!

   • Don't feed your dog food that is bad for it. There are many foods that are not but bad for your canis familiaris but that can be hazardous to its health. Practice not give your dog whatever chocolate, avocado, breadstuff dough, raisins, grapes, onions, or xylitol, which is a non-caloric sweetener.^[iv]

4. iv

   Give your dog water. Food is not the simply thing your dog needs to survive. H2o is but equally, if non more than, important. Give your dog open access to water at all times. This doesn't mean that you accept to give it access to water when it is unfeasible, for instance when yous are in the car, simply if information technology is possible you should supply a bowl of clean drinking water.

1. 1

   Make sure yous have a good, reliable veterinarian. A good manner to choose a vet is to meet if he or she answers your questions promptly and knowledgeably and to see how they interact with your pet. You will need to bring your canis familiaris for regular check-ups, so if your vet is too booked up you may desire to look for a new one. Feel free to change veterinarians even after you take your domestic dog to 1.^[5]

   • Call up, yous should likewise know of an emergency vet that'south open up 24 hours a solar day and on weekends.

2. 2

   Become your canis familiaris vaccinated. Your veterinarian volition suggest you as to which diseases are common in the expanse so which diseases it is necessary to vaccinate against. Typically, vaccinations are kept upwardly to date with regular booster injections, which may either be yearly or three-yearly, depending on the disease.

   • Nearly U.South. states crave you to vaccinate the domestic dog confronting rabies. Even if this isn't a legal requirement, it is a good idea in guild to protect your pet (and you) from this deadly disease.

3. 3

   Consider fitting the dog with an ID chip. This is a small microchip that is injected nether the peel over the shoulder blades. Each chip has a unique number that is registered on a data base with your contact details. In the event of the pet being lost or stolen, the scrap is a means of matching you with the domestic dog and proving your buying.^[6]

4. 4

   Use regular parasite preventative treatments. Information technology important to treat regularly with bones worming against roundworms. Exactly how often depends on your pet's lifestyle. An indoor dog is at lower hazard than a hunting canis familiaris of picking up worms, and this volition influence your vet'south communication about how often to deworm. A low chance dog may but need a circular worming treatment two or three times a year, whereas a high risk canis familiaris may need monthly treatments.

   • Also consider other risks such equally heartworm.
   • Also use flea preventative treatments and, if you live in a tick area, use a product that also kills ticks.

5. 5

   Consider desexing your dog. This reduces the risk of certain wellness disorders, such as mammary cancer (if neutering performed before the 2nd flavour) and pyometra (pus in the womb) in females, and aggression and prostatic affliction in the male. It is also the responsible thing to do, as it reduces the problem of adventitious breeding and pet overpopulation.^[7]

   • Be aware that desexed dogs are actually at higher risk for some health problems. For instance, your desexed canis familiaris may be at more take a chance for sure types of cancers and thyroid bug, as well equally cardiac bug. Consider this advisedly.

6. 6

   Go pet health insurance. If you would struggle to come across the cost of veterinary treatment and so take out a pet insurance policy. In substitution for a monthly premium, if the pet is sick or injured the insurance company will cover the majority of the costs involved up to a certain limit. The exact nature of policies and the amount they comprehend varies widely.

   • Do your homework. Decide how much you lot can afford each month for a premium and investigate several companies to see what level of coverage they will provide.

1. 1

   Brush your canis familiaris. The frequency of brushing will vary widely, depending on what blazon of dog you have and how much it sheds. Brushing your dog regularly will help to reduce shedding and information technology gives you lot a chance to appraise the country of your domestic dog'due south body. Your aim is to keep the coat in expert condition and knot gratis. For this y'all may need a combination of comb and brush, to prevent knots and groom out tangles.

   • If your domestic dog sheds a lot, pet stores and Walmart sell shed-command shampoo. Breast-stroke shedding dogs once a week until shedding reduces.

2. ii

   Keep your dog's coat clean. Dirty coats can atomic number 82 to secondary skin infections, so be prepared to bathe your dog with a mild dog shampoo if information technology gets actually dirty. Almost dogs don't demand baths more than one time every calendar month or then, simply this varies widely depending on brood and activities.^[viii]

   • Know that your dog's coat may grow and information technology volition demand to exist trimmed by a dog groomer. If the fur grows too long it tin can irritate the dog betwixt the toes, or forbid information technology from seeing properly. In addition, the domestic dog is likely to sweep debris, such equally sticks and grass, up in the coat, which could cause it discomfort.

3. 3

   Proceed your dog's nails trimmed. It may be difficult to trim your domestic dog's nails simply it is important to keeping its paws healthy. Take it slow and steady, making sure to proceed your cuts away from the quick, the inner part of the nail that is still alive. Cut the quick could make your dog very, very resistant to blast trims in the hereafter.

   • Train your dog to acquaintance nail trims with practiced things. Give your pup a treat after trimming or have it on a trip to the park. Whatsoever you do, make sure to stay upbeat during the trim, no matter how hard information technology is to trim your pup'south nails.

1. 1

   Provide your dog with enough of exercise. Provide the right amount of practice for the type of dog you take. A small toy dog may be ameliorate playing games of fetch or ball to tire information technology out, while a Labrador needs to accept good long walks, for at to the lowest degree 30 - 45 minutes twice a mean solar day in society to burn its energy.^[9] You lot may have a dog that actually requires a ton of exercise and never tires out, for example terriers are often capable of running all day without tiring.^[10]

   • Lots of exercise helps burn off excess energy, which, if unattended, could cause behavioral issues, such every bit chewing, digging, or excess barking.
   • Brand sure y'all walk your dog. Your dog should proceed at to the lowest degree two minor walks or one BIG walk a day. The length of these walks varies depending on the type of domestic dog you have.
   • No one wants their domestic dog to run abroad. If yous have a yard and you allow your dog to be outside by itself make sure y'all accept a fence in your m so the dog can't run away. Make certain it'due south tall enough for your dog not to jump over the fence.

2. 2

   Stimulate your dog's heed with reward-based training. Just similar people, dogs tin go bored. To lead a happy life dogs need mental stimulation. This stimulation can be in the form of obedience training. Information technology is important to teach your dog to sit, stay, and come when called.

   • Most dogs enjoy the one-to-ane attention of a grooming session and these sessions help the canis familiaris to bail with you lot. If y'all utilize reward-based training, in which only correct behavior is rewarded and no punishment is used, the experience of grooming will be a very happy and positive i for your pup.^[11]
   • Train for around 10-twenty minutes twice a day, depending on the concentration span of your dog. Always try to finish each session on a positive note.
   • Give your dog a reward each time it obeys your control. Yous tin can use pocket-sized treats (remembering not to over feed your dog) or yous tin can merely shower the canis familiaris with love when it does something correctly. The choice of advantage depends on what motivates your specific dog.^[12]

3. 3

   Socialize your canis familiaris. Dogs need to be well socialized in order to become well-adapted adults.^[13] From merely a few weeks of historic period introduce the pup to as many unlike people, sights, sounds, and smells as you tin. What it encounters up through eighteen weeks of age (when the socialization window closes) information technology volition largely regard equally normal and non be fearful of in the future.^[14]

   • If you lot got the canis familiaris every bit an adult and so all the same introduce it to different experiences. Take care not to overwhelm the domestic dog and make it fearful if information technology is non comfy. This requires patient treatment whereby you innovate the dog to the fearful object, simply at sufficient distance that information technology does not alarm the domestic dog. Advantage calm behavior and, over time, motion the object closer, rewarding every bit y'all go, and then it starts to build a positive clan with the object.

4. iv

   Let the dog to play and display behaviors that are normal for the breed. For instance, odor hounds, such as Bassets and Bloodhounds, dear to follow scent. Make sure you requite your domestic dog time to sniff its surround. Yous may even wish to turn this into a game where you lay a odor trail and it gets to follow it.

1. ane

   Register your dog and put tags on its collar. This will help assure that your canis familiaris will make information technology domicile if information technology gets lost or separated from yous. Unlike states have different legislation regarding domestic dog buying. The local animal shelter or veterinarian is a adept place to inquire for a listing of what you demand to do to annals the pet and whether it is necessary the pet wears a collar and tag at all times. Be aware that certain cities have restrictions on owning so-called "dangerous" canis familiaris breeds such as pit bulls or sure guarding breeds.^[15]

2. 2

   Treat your dog with respect. Never punish with concrete force, or demean the domestic dog in any mode. This includes giving the dog a respectful proper name, rather than a name such as "Psycho" or "Killer," which could influence how other people act towards information technology.

   • If the dog misbehaves, always review what happened and ask how your actions or inactions may accept contributed to his misdemeanor.

3. 3

   Be aware that your dog has basic needs that need to be fulfilled. For example, your dog needs the run a risk to go to the toilet regularly without soiling the house or itself. It is inhumane to proceed a domestic dog cooped upward in a kennel for hours on finish without human contact or the gamble to salve itself.^[16]

4. four

   Make sure your domestic dog has access to a comfy place to sleep and is not left out in extreme temperatures. Leaving a dog outside on hot summertime days or common cold winter days without proper protection from the weather can injure, or impale, information technology. It is best to keep your dog inside during extreme weather but if you tin can't, make certain your dog has access to a adept domestic dog firm and lots of water.^[17]

5. 5

   Build a bond of common beloved and respect with your canis familiaris. Dogs will love y'all forever if you lot treat them correctly. Spend fourth dimension with your dog, getting to know its personality and what makes information technology tick. The more than y'all really hang out with your dog the more fulfilling your life together will be.^[18]

   • Any you do, never hit your dog or abuse your domestic dog in any manner. The worst punishment for a domestic dog is being yelled at after the deed is over and washed. They forget and don't understand what they are beingness yelled at for.

Add New Question

• Question

  What are the basic needs of a domestic dog?

  

  Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Preparation. With more than than xx years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for canis familiaris owners. She is a Certified Pet Domestic dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Social club Canine Practiced Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Clan of Canine Professionals and has been a featured practiced in national media including the New York Times, Woman'due south Day, Readers Assimilate, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.

  

  Canine Behavior Consultant

  Expert Answer

  Routine is very important! Dogs need to know what to look every 24-hour interval—that helps them experience comfortable and safe in their new surroundings.

• Question

  Do all crossbreeds make good pets?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of feel in veterinarian surgery and companion animal do. She graduated from the Academy of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the aforementioned animal dispensary in her hometown for over twenty years.

  

  Veterinarian

  Expert Reply

  Just as different people have different personalities, then exercise our pets. With a crossbred dog, the factors that influence his character not only include his parents simply his experiences every bit a puppy and what he is exposed to growing up. A well-socialized pup that is trained and raised with responsible owners will make a good pet no affair what his breed or parentage.

• Question

  I have a female German language shepherd. Is it okay to cross two dogs with the same parent?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinary with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same brute clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

  

  Veterinarian

  Expert Respond

  No, this is a bad idea. Two dogs with the same parent are genetically very similar to each other. For example, if both dogs have the hip dysplasia gene this profoundly increases the adventure of the puppies being born with bad hips. Ideally, you want to brood from dogs that are not related at all, which makes for a greater probability of salubrious puppies.

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• Regularly check the FDA'due south website for the canine food recalls.

• If your dog is very aggressive sometimes, approach it slowly and carefully. Exercise not approach your dog from backside as your dog may see this as sign of assailment and bite you.

• If your canis familiaris is moving more than slowly than usual, you should call your veterinarian. He might be injured or ill.

• To exist a good leader for your canis familiaris, yous should ready the boundaries of playtime. When playing a game like tug of war, you should stop the play so that the dog knows yous make the rules.

• Some dogs are a bit scared of people or naturally alert, so y'all may need a harness or cage. If you don't like regular muzzles, at that place are more open ones.

• Pay attention to your dog'southward beliefs. Dogs will frequently give signs when something isn't correct. If yous notice a change in the dog's behavior or deportment that is worrisome, have your canis familiaris to the vet to get checked out.

• Don't ever hitting a dog! Information technology's cruel and it will only make the canis familiaris fearful of you lot. Instead, you need to make your disapproval clear through withholding treats. Instead, utilize positive reinforcement to promote good beliefs.

Things Y'all'll Need

• Kennel
• Domestic dog bed or blanket
• Domestic dog nutrient
• H2o
• Bowls for food and water
• Veterinarian treatments, such as vaccinations
• Dog brush or comb
• Canis familiaris shampoo
• Dog training book or transmission
• Dog treats
• Ternion and neckband

About this article

Commodity Summary Ten

To take care of a domestic dog, make sure y'all're feeding information technology a high-quality canis familiaris food twice a day and giving information technology admission to water at all times. You should also give your dog plenty of exercise by taking it on at least 2 walks a day and playing games like fetch or brawl. If your canis familiaris always does something wrong, don't physically punish it. Instead, use positive reinforcement with treats and praise to teach your dog what behavior is acceptable, which is much more effective. Besides, don't forget to take your hirsuite friend to a vet so they can get a checkup and exist vaccinated. To acquire how to groom your dog, scroll down!

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