How to Look After a Dog- the Basics

Your dog is a part of the family, and like any other member of your family, you want to make sure they’re taken care of properly. Taking care of a puppy or dog can be daunting, especially if you are a first time dog owner. Where do you start? This guide will help you get to grips with the basics. It covers the non-negotiables, from feeding them, caring for them, to keeping them healthy. So read on for all the information you need to take great care of your furry friend!

Be prepared:

This may sound obvious, but first and foremost make sure that bringing a dog into your family is the right thing to do. Dogs are wonderful, but they do cost money and time, they may make mess, and they will be a responsibility. If you have made the decision to go ahead, get all of the kit you need ahead of their arrival and read up on how you will establish your ‘house rules’ before they join the family. Perhaps your dog will be crated? Perhaps they will be working dogs with a outdoor kennel? This will set you off to a positive start.

Health and nutrition:

Firstly, consider researching to find really good quality dog food. This really is the first place to start. Decide if you want to feed dry food, cooked or raw and look for the best you can afford. There are many great food comparison sites you can use to check that the food you use if good quality and nutritious. If your dog has a specific health need, you may consider adding supplements with advice from your vet. You may wish to discuss with them , for example what are the best-rated dog probiotics or how to help a dog with arthritis.

Learn about the signs of good health, how to prevent common diseases, and what to do if your dog becomes sick or injured. Paws into Grace shares that carrying out weekly home health checks can be useful in keeping on top of any changes to your dogs overall health or behaviour. Also regular checks at the vet will give you peace of mind. It’s important to know what signs indicate that your dog is healthy, so you can catch any problems early on.

Physical Activity

Like humans, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Depending on your dog’s breed, age, and health condition, they may require different amounts of exercise – but all dogs need some form of physical activity every day. A good general rule of thumb is that your dog should be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, but this can vary depending on the individual dog, their age, breed, and lifestyle. There are a variety of ways to exercise your dog. Good old walking is always a favourite, and most dogs love a good game of fetch. You may also want to consider something like agility or flyball?

Spending Time With Your Pet

In addition to exercise, your dog also needs plenty of quality time with you. This is important for their mental well-being – dogs are social creatures and thrive when they have regular contact with their humans. Make sure to set aside some time each day to spend with your dog, whether it’s going for a walk, playing fetch, or just cuddling on the couch. Spending time with your dog is also great for your own mental health. Us humans can learn a lot from the behaviour of our beloved canine friends.

Training:

Investing some time in training is vital, and not just for a puppy but throughout your dogs life. Most dogs will display some type of undesirable behaviour at some point in their lives. Stay positive- there are ways to deal with behavioural issues so that both you and your dog can be happy. The key is to identify the root cause of the problem behaviour and then work on addressing that issue. For example, if your dog is barking excessively, it could be because they’re bored or anxious. In this case, you would work on providing them with more exercise and mental stimulation. If your dog is acting out due to separation anxiety, you would work on slowly acclimating them to being away from you for short periods. Ultimately, your dog wants to please you so give them the time, patience, and attention they deserve in helping them know what you want from them.

Looking after your dog:

Taking care of your pet is easy once you learn the basics. By providing them with the necessary physical and mental exercise, as well as spending quality time with them, you can ensure a happy and healthy pet. If behavioural do issues arise along the way? There are ways to address those so that everyone can live peacefully together. Enjoy your furry family!