12 Tips for You and Your New Puppy

You Can Welcome A Dog Into Your Home

Dogs are truly the greatest creatures on Earth. Whether or not you agree, you must love them as you have arrived at this article which gives you many tips and tricks regarding caring for a dog. Dog ownership may not be easy, but it IS very rewarding: Read on to find out more…

1. Your dog has teeth just like you, so it makes sense that he needs proper dental care. Invest in a dog toothbrush and brush his teeth often. Simply allowing the vet to do it at his regular checkups is not enough. You can also purchase treats that are specifically meant to help with your pet’s teeth.
2. Keep your dog’s teeth in tip top condition. Just like humans, a dog can suffer from toothache, gum disease and even tooth loss. Regular brushing will ensure that that his teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. Without regular brushing, it is estimated that dental disease will affect up to 80% of dogs by the age of three. As well as dental cleaning by a vet, make sure that you brush your dog’s teeth regularly.

3. Your dog needs to be secured when in a car. Not only will it make the journey safer, as it will lead to fewer distractions for the person driving the car, but in the event of an accident, it could also save your dog’s life. Look for a seat belt harness, often sold at pet stores, that you can put in your car for your pet.

4. Take your dog to the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you don’t need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the road.

5. When you train your dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. It’s never good to try and train your pet when there are quite a few people around. They will probably get distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands. Also, it’s good to train at the same time every day, perhaps just after suppertime, or after playtime.

6. Before deciding on what type of dog to get for your family, consider space. Even though you may love the bigger dogs that you can really wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for a large breed. Take your home and yard size into consideration, as well as your chosen breeds’ temperament, before bringing home a new pooch.

7. If you do not have any ear cleaner solution on hand, you can use a baby wipe instead. Simply wrap it around the tip of your finger and wipe the inside of the ear’s surface. Only go as far as your finger can easily fit. Do not use Q-tips as they can injure the ear.

8. Always allow your dog to have access to clean water at all times during the day. Just like with all living beings, water is one of the most important components. The only exception is that you want to keep water from a puppy for three hours before bedtime, to minimize the wake-up calls in the night. By the time she’s about 6 months old, you shouldn’t have to bother with this.

9. Try to provide your dog with plenty of opportunities to socialize. Take him on walks to the park or beach where he will be around people and other dogs. Encourage his interactions with others and praise him for good manners. He’ll be much more comfortable in any setting and generally happier too.

10. If you are a very enthusiastic owner of a pure-bred dog, join your local AKC. They are an active social group where you can share your love for your dog, learn a lot and make new friends too. The experience can also help prepare you and your dog for entering contests and winning shows!

11. If you’ve got the most well-behaved and lovable dog around, share his good nature with those less fortunate. You could bring him to visit the elderly in nursing homes or sick children in hospitals. Not only will you be improving the quality of life for those people, but your dog will love being a super-star wherever he goes!

12. When it comes to feeding your dog, make sure that you are using a reputable brand that contains proper nutrition. This is important because there are dog foods that contain “filler” like wheat or corn in the food. You want to be sure that your dog is getting the correct amount of nutrients that he needs in order for him to be healthy, and some dogs may be allergic to these filler ingredients.

Now that you have these tips and tricks in mind, you are ready to make your dog’s life better. It is up to you to use each tip one by one, changing your dog’s lifestyle bit by bit. The more you do for your dog, the more he’ll love you in return!