Are you considering getting a dog? Dogs are loyal, loving friends and usually reciprocate all the affection and attention given to them. However, know that they need a lot of care to stay healthy and happy. If you plan on bringing a dog home, there are many things you need to consider in order to ensure a long and healthy friendship.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare Before Welcoming the Dog
Step 1. Prepare the dog-proof house
Although many objects may seem harmless to the dog or you believe that they do not arouse curiosity in the animal, it is still better to keep small objects and human toys out of their reach, or in any case avoid that they are in the areas where the dog will spend most of the time. weather.
- There are many items in the home and yard that are dangerous to dogs, which must be kept out of their reach and should be stored in an area that the dog does not have access to. Among these, some of the most common are household cleaners, insecticides, fertilizers, and rat poisons.
- Plants, both houseplants and garden plants, can also be toxic, including rhododendrons, chrysanthemums and oleanders. Identify the plants you have in your home and garden, and then contact your vet or search online animal advocacy sites for the complete list of substances in plants that are toxic to pets.
- Keep in mind that even drugs, for human and animal use, are harmful to the dog, especially if he were to ingest them in large quantities. Additionally, some foods we eat, such as chocolate, onions, raisins, grapes, and sugar-free chewing gum can prove toxic and should be kept out of their reach.
Step 2. Prepare a specific area for the dog
Before taking him home, one of the most important things to consider is to identify where he will spend most of his time. Think and identify which areas of the house he will be authorized to access and which ones will be forbidden. These rules should be applied right from the start, to avoid confusing him.
- The animal will need certain areas to eat, sleep and plenty of space to play and exercise. You should initially limit the surfaces to which he has access, so that you can closely monitor him, until you get to know him better and become familiar with his behavior.
- The kitchen or other easy-to-clean area is a good place to place food and water bowls. Once you've found the right spot, make sure you always keep that one.
- Next you have to decide where he will sleep. Some people like the dog to sleep in bed with them, while others set up a kennel or crate so that the animal has a specific space of its own. Keep in mind that if you get used to sleeping in your bed then it will be much more difficult to convince him to go to sleep elsewhere.
- The size of the dog and its activity level will determine the space needed to play and exercise. Generally, the larger the dog, the more space it needs.
Step 3. Purchase all the necessary equipment
You could take your dog home already stocked with some accessories, but be aware that you will need a collar and leash appropriate for the pet's size and a toy or two to get started. You will also need a bowl for food and water, as well as the food itself.
If you know what foods your new friend has been fed so far, it's best to keep feeding him the same food, at least for the first time. Joining a new family is stressful for any dog, and changing their diet could add further anxiety. If you later decide to give him a different food, it will be possible, but be sure to do it gradually over 5-7 days. This way you avoid creating problems such as diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset, which can arise with a sudden change in diet
Part 2 of 4: Satisfying the Dog's Basic Needs
Step 1. Buy a food brand that guarantees high quality ingredients
If you want, you can also prepare food for him at home. The important thing is not to give them too much sugar, fried foods or other goodies for people, because they are harmful and can damage the health of your furry friend over time. Above all, never give him chocolate.
- Large dogs generally need to be fed the food formulated for large breed puppies until they reach one year of age. At that point they have to switch to a diet for adult specimens, to end up with one designed for senior dogs when they are around six years of age. Small and medium-sized dogs should be fed specific puppy food until they are about one year of age, after which it is time to replace it with an adult dog diet.
- If a puppy gets too fat, it's okay to switch to adult dog food
Step 2. Feed him on a regular schedule
Dogs of different breeds have different dietary needs. If your new friend is under a year old, he may need several meals a day. when he reaches about 6 months you can reduce his meals to twice a day. It is common for some dogs to be less active as they get older and only want to eat once a day.
Try to feed your pet at the same time every day. This helps him know when to eat and helps you know how much he is eating. This can be important when trying to train your dog if you find that his appetite is reduced, and it also allows you to prevent possible obesity
Step 3. Monitor his appetite and eating habits
It would be important to measure the right amount of food in order to understand how much he is eating. Let him eat for about 10-15 minutes and then take the bowl back until it's time for the next meal. If he doesn't eat all of the food within this time, he will be hungrier and will likely empty the whole bowl the next time you feed him.
- A good way to tell if your dog is eating enough or too much is to keep track of their weight and silhouette. While seeing ribs may be normal for some more active breeds with certain builds, in most dogs, it is actually a sign that they are not getting enough nutrients. Conversely, in other surrounding and for other breeds, not feeling the ribs can mean overeating. Always check with your vet if you have any doubts about the portions that the dog should consume and its ideal weight.
- Leaving him with food available so he can eat freely is an easy way to feed him, but be aware that some dogs overeat and therefore need to follow a regular diet with meal plans.
- Puppies who tend to be overweight may need to adjust their food quantities and set up an exercise routine. It is best to consult your vet before making any changes.
- Dogs should switch to a senior diet when they are 8 years of age. In this way it is possible to avoid the excessive caloric intake and weight gain that can occur in older and less active animals. Make sure you always leave the water bowl constantly filled with fresh water.
Step 4. Make sure he always has water available
It is essential to keep the water bowl full at all times. Dogs need to be able to drink when they are thirsty and there is no harm in drinking as much water as they want. If you want, you can add some ice cubes to keep it cool when the weather is hot or scorching.
Step 5. Make sure your furry friend gets plenty of exercise
Dogs need to be able to run and play to stay healthy and happy. Try to take him for a walk of at least half an hour every day, even if this is not enough to satisfy his need for activity if he is a very active and energetic dog.
- Just taking him outside because he lets himself out a little isn't enough exercise for him, you need to make sure he gets tired every day.
- The amount of exercise you need depends on your age, race, health and general energy level. The younger the breed, the more energetic the breed and the greater its need for movement than older, less active dogs. Keep in mind that some breeds don't need to get as much exercise as others.
- If you can, find a place to let him off the leash so he can run and play.
- To prevent damage to developing bones and joints in puppies, they should not usually be run or allowed to do other types of high impact repetitive exercise, such as jumping from high places. As always, ask your vet for more details on training.
- You should interact with your dog by having him play with different activities to keep him stimulated both physically and mentally, not to mention that by doing so you can build a strong bond between you.
- Also, depending on your pet's activity level and your daily schedule, playing with your puppy on a daily basis can be a great way to give him the exercise he needs, while also allowing him to interact with other dogs and people.
- If he does not do enough physical activity, the dog can get bored, resulting in significant behavioral problems, even destructive. Furthermore, he can become obese and suffer from related health problems; therefore avoid at all costs to get to this situation.
- Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Consider playing games with him on a daily basis to keep him from getting bored.
Part 3 of 4: Keeping the Dog Healthy
Step 1. Get him proper grooming
Depending on the breed, different operations are required to take care of its fur. Dogs usually need to be brushed about once a week to help get rid of dead hair. Long-haired breeds need more frequent brushing to prevent knots, and you probably need to trim the hair regularly as well. Some breeds suffer a lot from the heat in the summer and feel better if they are shaved when temperatures start to rise. Determine which grooming habits are best for your dog's fur and nails.
As you brush it, also check it for fleas and ticks, and remove them with a special comb. Sometimes it is necessary to give him a drug prescribed by the vet to prevent a flea infestation
Step 2. Bathe him every two weeks
Dogs don't need to be bathed as often as humans do, but when they start to smell, play in the mud and get dirty in other ways, they need to be bathed. Use lukewarm water and a mild, natural and non-irritating canine shampoo.
- Dogs love to run after a bath, so you should wash your dog at appropriate times so that your wagging friend can run around freely afterwards.
- Bathing and grooming are also a great way to check your dog for cuts or wounds that require medical attention.
Step 3. Take him to the vet regularly for routine checkups
Regular check-ups can prevent or detect any health problems early. The routine visit to the vet includes a physical exam, stool analysis, and a heartworm test. Your doctor may also recommend routine blood tests to check for underlying underlying problems, which should be treated as soon as possible.
- Common medications your vet may recommend include heartworm prevention, intestinal pesticides, and flea and tick preventative treatments, depending on the season and region you live in.
- Make sure he gets all the necessary vaccinations. This will help make him happy and healthy. Standard vaccinations include rabies vaccinations, which are given at 12 weeks of age or later and every 1-3 years thereafter, depending on local laws and doctor's recommendations. Vaccines for distemper, parvo, and hepatitis are usually given together. Puppies should be given a series of four injections every three weeks starting at 6 weeks of age and then annually, like adults, always according to the veterinarian's recommendations.
Step 4. Consider having your dog spayed or neutered
These are procedures that prevent unwanted pregnancies and can help eliminate many health and behavior problems. Castration can prevent testicular cancers, prostate problems, the urge to mark territory with urine, and some aggressive behaviors of males. In spayed females there is a significant reduction in the incidence of mammary tumors and possible infections or cancer of the uterus are avoided.
It would be best to have your puppy undergo this procedure when he is around six months of age. Talk to your vet during regular checkups or when you bring your dog for the first visit after adopting it if it's an adult
Step 5. Monitor your faithful friend's overall health
Knowing your normal eating habits, activity levels and weight, you may notice abnormalities - this is an easy way to check your health. By checking the appearance of his stool and bowel regularity you can catch the onset of veterinary problems. Also check their mouth, teeth, eyes, and ears regularly, so you can spot any problems as soon as possible. Also check his skin often if you notice any bumps or cuts. Also see if the way you walk or move changes.
Always consult your vet if you notice any changes in his normal state
Part 4 of 4: Train the Dog
Step 1. Teach your dog to do his business outside
When you bring a new puppy or adult dog home, one of the first things to teach him is to do his own business outside the home. Dogs can be trained for this at any age.
- Until he learns, there are a few rules to follow that will help you train. Limit the areas he has access to so you can observe him closely and catch the signs that indicate his need to defecate, so you can take him out immediately. Establish a specific schedule of taking him out first thing in the morning, after meals, every time you come home, and just before bed.
- Puppies need to go out more often when they are still young, and generally keep in mind that they can hold urine for an hour for every month of life.
- Keep your dog on a leash even when he is indoors, to monitor him more closely until he has learned to relieve himself outside. Also, keep him tied up when you go out, so you can teach him to go to a specific spot and to make sure you understand that he really needed to meet his needs.
- You can use a word like "let's go" to teach him to go to a specific place. If you notice that he is starting to unload in the house, say "no" and immediately take him out and say "let's go". Always praise him when he behaves as he should.
- If there is an "accident" in the house, be sure to clean the area thoroughly to prevent him from wanting to go back to the same place again.
- Never spank or scold him if he mistakenly defecates in the house. That way he would only learn to be afraid of you.
Step 2. Train him to the cage
This provides him with a place to feel safe and secure when you are not at home, as well as being another popular solution for preventing possible accidents.
Try to make the cage a fun place where he feels comfortable and comfortable by putting in some treats or toys and limiting the time he spends inside to no more than 4 hours each time - even less if he's a puppy. When you get him out of the cage, be sure to take him straight out to the usual place where he can defecate and don't forget to praise him when he behaves well
Step 3. Teach your pet to play politely
Dogs usually have good natures and most of them play politely with children. However, some may bite and scratch a little too hard while playing, so it's important to teach them how to behave kindly. Reward him when he behaves gently and ignore him when he starts biting instead. Eventually he will learn that it is more fun to be nice.
Step 4. Teach him not to bark too much
For dogs, this is normal behavior and their way of communicating, but barking too much is a widespread and annoying action that many dog owners need to correct. There are different types of barking and some require very specific interventions to try to reduce them. This is usually slow and gradual training which also requires a lot of patience.
- There are some general guidelines to teach your furry friend not to bark at every little thing. You have to identify the factors that encourage him to do this and then eliminate them; for example closing the curtains or putting the animal in an area where it cannot see what causes it to bark is already a good start If it does not stop barking, put it in a quiet room or in the cage, without any stimulation, wait for it to calm down and reward him as soon as he stops.
- It is often a natural instinct to yell at the barking dog, but doing so may lead him to think that you are also barking with him.
- If he continues to bark compulsively, try increasing exercise and play time.
- If he barks for attention, you should ignore him and never reward him until he stops.
- This can be a difficult problem to correct and sometimes requires the intervention of a qualified behaviorist trainer. The anti-bark collar should never be used because it is one of the instruments of animal abuse and its use constitutes a criminal offense.
Step 5. Teach your dog to obey certain commands
Basic ones, such as sitting, standing, and getting closer are useful ways to make your pet feel safe, preventing them from straying too far and getting lost when off the leash outdoors. These commands also help him understand his role in your relationship and allow him to bond more strongly with you.
