When you decide that you want to bring a new puppy into your home, it’s important that you make a plan to properly care for them. Being a dog owner can improve your life in many ways, but you should also exert effort to ensure that your pet benefits from the relationship as well.
If you’re looking for some useful tips on how to take care of your new dog, then this article is definitely the one for you. Many people tend to get overwhelmed when they’re adopting a dog for the first time that they don’t even know where to begin. If you feel the same way, the following tips can come in handy:
1. Have Time To Train
If you decide to get a dog, you need to be sure to give them some basic obedience training. This will help them become well-behaved, and ensure that they grow sociable. Obedience training will help your dog to behave properly when surrounded with other pets and people.
Depending on your preferences, you can opt to use reliable resources, such as Petsumer, to gain informative tips so you can train your dog by yourself or hire professionals to do the job for you. As long as done consistently, any of these strategies will enable your dog to know how to act and react properly, and curb unwanted behaviors, such as excessive barking and biting.
2. Provide Space For Them
Another thing that you must do in order to take care of your new dog properly is to make sure that you have plenty of space for them in your home. Dogs are naturally playful, which means that you have to provide sufficient space for them to roam around and develop their senses.
Ideally, you should provide a space solely for your dog at home. This space should contain their water and food bowls, a comfortable bed, and their favorite toys. Letting your dog know that they have their own space will make it easier for them to adjust to their new environment.
You should also provide a space for your dog outdoors. If you have a lawn or backyard, this should be properly fenced so your dog won’t wander too far. Allowing your dog to spend time outdoors will also encourage them to socialize with other pets and people around your neighborhood.
3. Make Sure They Get Enough Exercise
Another important tip for caring for your new dog is making sure that they get plenty of exercise. As a pet owner, you should allot time to take your dog for walks every day. Experts recommend taking your dog for walks for about 30 minutes to two hours, depending on their breed and age.
Aside from taking your dog for walks, you can also let them exercise by playing fetch or tug-of-war with them. Letting your dog swim once in a while is also a great exercise for your pet as this can also help in managing their weight and improving their cardiovascular fitness.
Making sure that your dog receives enough exercise can also prevent them from chewing on everything they see in your home because exercise is a great way to tire them off and prevent unwanted behavior.
And if your dog gets hurt, that doesn’t mean he cannot walk or play anymore. Whenever it happens, there’s a simple solution to provide them the stability they need to continue their lives as usual. It’s about braces, dog braces, of course, adapted to your pet’s unique way of walking. For example braces from Go Hero Braces apply the corrective forces needed to support proper joint function so that your friend will continue going for a walk, chasing a frisbee or jump around you.
4. Pay Attention To Their Diet
It’s important that you feed your dog a balanced diet that includes both meat and vegetables. Your dog will need sufficient amounts of protein, so make sure that they get plenty of fish and poultry. Avoid fatty foods and sugary treats because these can be very unhealthy for your dog.
If this is your first time to care for a dog, make sure that you ask recommendations from your vet to know which foods to give to your furry friend. There are countless dog foods available in the market today, which is why it’s best to ask help from a professional to know the do’s and don’ts in feeding your pet.
5. Regularly Groom Them
One of the basic grooming tips you should follow as a pet owner is to brush your pet regularly. Regular brushing is vital for dogs as this can effectively remove loose hair and debris from their skin and fur, and encourage proper blood circulation. Brushing can also help distribute natural oils throughout your pet’s body, making their fur shinier and healthier.
Aside from regular brushing, you should also bathe your dog regularly. Shampooing your dog twice a week will keep them clean and healthy, especially when they’re fond of spending time outdoors.
It’s also important to brush your puppy’s teeth in between shampooing sessions. Your dog can also develop oral problems, which is why it’s important to clean their teeth with a toothbrush made for dogs or give them dental chews.
It Can Be Done
Taking care of your new dog is challenging, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t accomplish this task. Even if this is your first time to adopt a dog, as long as you know what to do, it won’t be long before you can become one of the most responsible pet owners out there!
