Care of Dogs

Owning a dog brings with it responsibility. Taking care of a dog is much like taking care of a child. You have to teach them how to do things. You have to make sure they are fed well. And you have to show them love and attention. Patience is key to owning a dog.

Getting your dog familiar with his new home

When a puppy or even an older dog is brought home for the first time, it might take a while for him to get used to the new environment. Walk him around the perimeter of the house before taking him inside. This will help him become acquainted with the area. Allow him to take his time looking (and sniffing) around. Then, slowly introduce him to the inside of the house. Provide your dog with several toys and a blanket of his own. Give him food and water, and then take him outside. Give him time to do his business. Then, immediately praise him.

Making sure your dog is healthy

Take your dog to a veterinarian on a regular basis to make sure he has all of his required shots and to be examined. Tell your veterinarian about any irregular eating habits or any other changes in your dog's behavior. Ask questions, and take notes if there is something in particular you are concerned about. You will need to give your dog heartworm medicine, which comes in pill form. You also might want to use medicine to keep fleas and ticks away.

Take your dog for plenty of walks, and play with him often to keep him physically and mentally healthy. It will benefit you and your dog to take him for walks so he can exert some energy. This will make training easier.

Training your dog

Use repetition and positive reinforcement to train your dog. There will be times when your dog will do things he shouldn't, such as chew up a favorite pair of shoes or go to the bathroom in your bed. These are things you will have to teach him not to do. When these things happen, be stern with your dog but never punish him out of anger. Yelling is not needed if you are firm and confident with what you are telling your dog. Take a deep breath and realize your dog has to be taught not to do certain things, and he wasn't born knowing that getting into the trash is a bad thing.

Taking care of a dog requires time and effort. It will not be easy, but it is essential to spend enough time with your dog so that he knows what to do in certain situations. You should stop any bad behavior before it happens. Watch your dog, and stop him as soon as you see any warning signs that he is about to do something he shouldn't.

References

• ASPCA
• The Humane Society of the United States
• healthy dogs

Resources

• Purina dog care
• caring for dogs
• dog obedience