When you bring a dog home you are making a commitment to that dog for the rest of his life. There are some essential things that you should do if you want your dog to live a long happy life. These essentials cover many things with love and companionship right at the top of the list. Then there are the basic needs that every dog should have. Here are a few suggestions of how to care for a dog.
Identification
Identification is very important for your dog. Where there is a door there is the potential for your dog to get out and run the neighborhood. You can help this situation by taking him to a vet and having an ID microchip placed under his skin. These are essential in having your dog returned if he is lost and increases the chances. In addition to the micro chip, place an identification tag on your dog's collar stating that he has a microchip along with information of where you live and your phone number. These two types of identification go a long way with your dog being lost for a few hours versus a life time. Inform all the dog shelters and dog pounds around your area of the microchip along with your personal information of where you can be found if they find your dog.
Spay or neuter
Spaying or neutering your dog is probably one of the best gifts you can ever give your dog. It will ensure that they stay healthy especially with females. Many things can happen with females such as other diseases that derive from not being spayed like as urine infections or major problems with labor. It ensures your dog will not stress from going into heat or for a male dog wanting to roam when males smell another female's scent. These are only a few of the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet.
Vaccination
Vaccinations are extremely important from the time you bring your dog home until his life is over. Bring your dog to your vet for all vaccinations he needs to prevent any possible disease that he may come in contact with. Take him for regular checkups to keep tabs on how his general health is. This may save you a lot of worry and expense in the future.
Leashing
When you're going off your own property always keep your dog on a leash. There are many dangers beyond the gate of your home and things can happen very quickly. It doesn't take a lot of time for a dog to run out in traffic whether he is trained or not. If they see something that interest them more than walking with you they are bouncing towards it without looking.
For example, if you have a bird dog breed and they happen to see a bird on their walk it is their nature to go after them, instinct will over take any walk they may have with you, by having them leashed this can be avoided. You need to keep your dog under control at all times and a leash is the answer to this unless you are in a place where off leash is permitted but even this with some dogs can be exposed to potential hazard.
Obedience classes
By taking your dog to obedience classes you will find you are investing in long term lessons that will never be forgotten by your dog. It will give you the pleasure of owning a dog that will come when called, a dog that will obey, a dog that will be better socialized when in public and in your home. It is the ideal situation for any dog and owner, for your dog to know you and only you are the leader of the pack.
Housing
Most people today keep their dogs inside but there are some that have their dogs stay outside. If your dog is an outside dog there are essentials that you need to provide such as a warm, dry house for them to sleep in, plenty of fresh water and food at all times, shade to protect your dog from the weather and something soft to sleep on. Even outside dogs need companionship so try and spend some quality time with your dog on a daily bases and ensure that he gets enough exercise. Outside dogs need to feel like they are a part of the family so bring your outside dog inside at least once a day to spend some time with the family.
Exercise
Exercise is so important for dogs. It can avoid many other problems around the home such as chewing, digging, stress, over excitement and the list goes on. By walking your dog on a daily bases you are helping to keep him healthy as well as giving him the ideal way to let that pent up energy out. By exercising your dog you will find that he is much calmer for the rest of the day not to mention the quality time you and your dog can share on the walk.
Diet
A dog's diet is very important to his well being. Try to choose a dog food that meets all your dogs' nutritional needs. There are many good dog foods on the market that can provide what your dog needs or you can make your own dog food at home. Don't feed your dog food from the table and make sure the treats that are given are appropriate for your dog.
Grooming
Grooming is another part of caring for your dog. Besides bathing and combing his coat you will have to pay attention to his nails, ears and teeth. By clipping your dog's nails it helps him stay comfortable. By checking his ears and cleaning those on regular bases will help to prevent ear infections. By brushing your dog's teeth you are helping to ensure his teeth will last longer without any problems.
These are all things you can do to help your dog live a long healthy life. Along with all of these things love is probably the best thing you can share with your dog. Having regular check up at the vets, exercising your dog, providing him with a healthy diet and providing your dog with the comforts of shelter that he deserves will all help to ensure he will be with you for a very long time. If you are taking the responsibility of owning a dog then your dog deserves that you also know how to care for a dog.