The dog is known to be man's best friend and is happiest when healthy. Ensuring his physical and mental well-being means keeping him stimulated, even when you are not at home; spending time with your puppy and ensuring a healthy lifestyle is key to making him feel fulfilled.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Stimulating the Dog's Mind
Step 1. Give him something to do when you are away and the dog is alone
Dogs are bred for specific purposes - be it herding or hunting - and can misbehave when their natural instincts are repressed.
- Create an obstacle course in which he has to follow the scent of his favorite sweets;
- Give him a food puzzle, like Kong, to stimulate his mind;
- Leave him a lot of chewable toys; not only strengthen the teeth and jaw, but prevent the dog from starting to chew your shoes;
- Assign a dog sitter or someone to play with him while you are away.
Step 2. Get him to socialize
Keeping him isolated or indoors all day can be detrimental to his psychological well-being, and when he eventually comes into contact with other people or animals, he may feel fear. Always remember to take his personality into consideration, so that you know his limits in socializing.
- Take him for a walk, to the park or organize moments for him to play with other dogs or people;
- Find a friend that the dog already knows and trusts, who takes care of him once a week to get him used to being with other people;
- If the animal is cautious, expose it to contact with only one dog at a time and only if the other dog is calm and does not scare the puppy.
Step 3. Train your wagging friend
This not only mentally stimulates him, but also strengthens your bond by clarifying your expectations of him. If you don't know what type of training is best for him, contact a licensed dog trainer.
Step 4. Impose your role as pack leader and never give it up
It is important to show affection and love to him, but you also need to let him know that you are in charge. The puppy can get confused if there is no constancy and structure in his life; you must therefore make sure you keep this role.
- The moment of the game must take place only when the animal is calm and receptive;
- Reward him with special treats when he follows your directions;
- The dog should be next to or behind you when walking.
Step 5. Keep a calm and determined attitude when you are with the puppy
Never act agitated or anxious; since you are the pack leader, you may be able to convey these emotions to him.
Nervous animals are typically more aggressive
Step 6. Make him have confidence in himself
Believe it or not, the puppy has his own self-esteem and there are things you, as the owner, can do to confirm this opinion; praise him when he learns a new exercise or other commands.
Remember that your tone of voice is key when you talk to him; praise should sound different from command
Part 2 of 3: Keeping the Dog Physically Healthy
Step 1. Keep it active
He needs to be physically active, just like people, especially if he is alone all day; take him for a walk around the block or distract him by playing a fun and interactive game with him.
- Playing "hide and seek" stimulates the body and mind;
- If your dog is a very energetic breed, you may want to take him to agility courses, which are often offered at animal shelters;
- If he is a particularly intelligent puppy for his age, dynamic games such as tug-of-war and retrieval allow him to burn a lot of energy and help him socialize;
- If it is an older specimen that suffers from joint stiffness, it can do some activities in the water - they are considered safe and have a low impact on the body;
- If he is small in size, take him to a dog park with specific areas where he can socialize with other puppies of his own size and character so you don't have to worry about his safety.
Step 2. Make sure he is eating a balanced and nutritious diet
An animal is happiest when it can exercise and in order to do so it must eat healthy foods. The foods suitable for your wagging friend depend on his age, energy level and possible allergies. If you opt for commercial products, the best choice is organic grain-free kibble; however, some veterinarians claim to feed them the same food as humans. Some foods for people but suitable for dogs are:
- Raw, unsalted peanut butter;
- Baby carrots;
- Pumpkin;
- Green beans;
- Sliced apples;
- Oatmeal.
Step 3. Schedule regular vet visits
The doctor performs a general health check of the dog and gives him all the necessary vaccines. If it is a puppy or an elderly dog, it is better to have it examined every six months, while it is enough once a year if it is an adult dog that has not yet reached ten years of age.
During the visit it is possible to define methods to keep his ears and teeth clean, as well as all other hygienic issues
Step 4. Make sure your faithful friend is always safe
This means equipping it with an identification plate, installing a fence around the garden so that it is protected from any predators, guaranteeing it all the shade and water it needs during the summer season.
- Make sure he is locked up in a safety crate and well confined when traveling and never let him keep his head out of the window, as he could be hit by objects outside or thrown from vehicles.
- Unless he is absolutely well trained, it is important to keep him on a leash when he is not on your property, especially if you are in a busy area.
- Always monitor children when they approach the dog; if it is a small child, you should never allow it to hold the animal, as it could accidentally drop it or injure it.
Step 5. Give your puppy regular massages
By doing this, you allow him to reduce stress and soothe any joint pain he may be suffering from.
- A slow massage that affects the muscles, fatty tissue and bones works wonders to calm a nervous dog;
- A daily massage can extend the duration and quality of life of your four-legged friend;
- Rubbing his joints can prepare him for physical activity and help him relax soon after;
- Great dane and mastiff are particularly susceptible to arthritis, so you should, in addition to your daily massage, give them food supplements to keep them healthy and prevent them from suffering.
Part 3 of 3: Breed Based Dog Care
Step 1. Make sure you brush, comb and trim your Golden Retriever's coat regularly
This breed is particularly prone to allergies and having a dull coat. By keeping his fur clean, you save him the sensation of itching and provide him with perfect thermal insulation in both summer and winter.
- Not to mention that this prevents it from leaving too much hair on the furniture.
- Pay particular attention to the fur in the tail and paw area, as it can become tangled easily, making your dog uncomfortable.
Step 2. Take at least two hours a day to pay attention to the Pit Bull
Although this breed is known for its loyalty and devotion, it needs to spend a lot of pleasant time with its owner in order not to get bored and not to engage in destructive behavior.
- He is a very energetic dog and you don't have to leave him alone or keep him outside all day;
- They are a dynamic breed and enjoy swimming, running, fetch or Frisbee, as well as most other sports;
- Since he belongs to a sociable breed, the Pit Bull when well trained appreciates interaction with people, loves spending time with your friends, family and even strangers; it is therefore important that you take it out of the house.
Step 3. Keep the Chihuahua warm during the cold or wet season
This is an aspect that must be taken seriously, because the specimens of this breed, like others of small size, have difficulty in regulating their body temperature and do not have a lot of hair capable of isolating them.
- Usually, he is happy when he is cuddled in his master's lap, to receive affection, but also warmth.
- Get him a dog sweater to protect him from the cold and prevent him from shivering when he is outdoors.
Step 4. Make sure the Terrier has toys available to distract him, especially if he is left alone
Although it is a rather independent breed, it needs to do a lot of physical activity; as long as you grant him items to safely entertain, he doesn't need constant supervision all day.
- If you don't provide him with anything to distract himself and keep busy, he may end up digging or finding other destructive forms of entertainment.
- He really likes to stay in the company of other dogs and the moment of play can be beneficial to socialize with other specimens of his own breed.
Advice
- Be firm and firm, but not aggressive when you punish him; the dog wants to please you, so feedback from you is important; obviously, though, you don't have to scold or beat him.
- Understand the temperament of your faithful friend; if you know he tends to be aggressive, keep him away from small children or other dogs.
- Dogs love to learn, so take the time to teach them new games and commands.
- Don't keep him in the cage, unless he's having a tantrum.
