Basic dog care (tips and advice)

As a responsible dog owner, it’s up to you to provide the basic dog care your pet needs. A pet dog relies on its human “pack”. So if you get a dog, it’s then down to you to fulfil those needs. This includes:

  • Providing proper care.
  • Providing food and water.
  • Giving them the love and affection they need.
  • Providing shelter.
  • Ensuring their safety.
  • Training them.
  • Getting them regular veterinary care.
  • Making sure they get enough exercise and attention.

As a responsible dog owner, it's up to you to provide the basic dog care your pet needs.

Basic dog care

Identification

You should provide your dog with a collar. The collar should have an ID tag engraved with the dog’s name. It should also have your name, address, and contact telephone number on it. You should also think about getting your dog micro-chipped.

Grooming

You should groom your dog each day. It doesn’t have to take long. A quick daily run through the coat with a brush or comb to remove any tangles is fine. Do a more thorough grooming session once a week. This should include checking the paws, nails, ears, eyes as well as oral health.

You should also give your dog a bath about once a month. You don’t want to bathe them too often or their skin and coat may dry out.

Veterinary care

Basic dog care includes caring for your dog’s health. Make sure you search out a good vet in your local area. You should take your dog for an examination at least once a year. You should also get your dog vaccinated against all the most common dog diseases.

Another good tip is to find a 24-hour emergency pet clinic near you and keep the number to hand. You don’t want to be running around and panicking looking for the number in an emergency.

Feeding your dog

Good nutrition is just as important for your dog as for humans. Make sure they get a balanced diet, and have constant access to fresh water. You should feed them the best quality dog food you can afford. And if possible, supplement it with fresh meat and vegetables.

Be responsible when it comes to giving your dog treats. You don’t want your dog to become overweight or obese. When buying treats, try and get the healthiest ones you can.

Exercise and attention

Some dogs need more exercise than others, with smaller breeds often needing less. All dogs need at least some daily exercise though. You should give your dog a walk at least once a day. Twice a day is even better if you have the time.

There’s no point owning a beautiful dog if you don’t spend time with them. So make sure you find the time to play with your dog. Exercise and play are essential for your dog’s physical and mental health. And as well as this, it helps to prevent any behavioral problems. And of course it’s a great way to bond with your dog.

Training your dog

If your dog is well-behaved you’ll have a much better relationship with them. You’ll bond with them not only as you train them but also afterwards as you won’t get frustrated and annoyed at their behavior. You should start obedience training with your dog as early as possible.

A secure environment

If your going to allow your dog to go outside, first make sure your perimeter fence is secure. It’s important that there’s no possibility of escape at all. You should also remove any potential hazards from the area. Finally, make sure your dog has somewhere to shelter from the elements.

Dogs are social animals that crave companionship. For this reason, you should only leave your dog alone outside for short periods of time. And you should never chain your dog up.

Neutering

Unless you’re planning on breeding your dog, getting it neutered is a good idea. It’s a fact that neutered dogs have fewer health and behavioral problems. Plus they don’t suffer the stress that’s comes with the heat cycle.

A neutered male dog is far less likely to try and escape from your property. And neutering also avoids the possibility of unwanted litters.

Following these basic dog care guidelines will help ensure you have a safe and healthy dog. Not only that, they’ll be happy, well-adjusted and well-behaved too.

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