This article was originally published on PetMD Editorial. Reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM and is republished for educational purpose.
It’s important that your pup gets everything they need to be happy and healthy.
If you’re a new pet parent or you’re about to adopt a new furry friend, you may be wondering, “How do I take care of a dog?” or “What do dogs need?”
Both are great questions—but where do you start?
First, understand that taking care of a dog is more than just making sure their bowl is full or that they’re walked. You’ll want to create a checklist of everything your furry friend needs in life.
Let’s look at all there is to know about taking care of a dog, and how you can be a reliable, loving, and responsible pet parent.
Train Your Dog
Being a good pet parent means taking responsibility for training your dog.
Dog training is important for pet parents when learning how to take care of a dog.
“Dogs don’t come already knowing how we would like them to behave, so we need to train them so they know what to do,” says Zazie Todd, PhD, a certified dog trainer and founder of Companion Animal Psychology.
Obedience training not only helps instill healthy doggy manners, but it also plays a big role in keeping your dog happy, healthy and safe.
“Teaching a dog to come when called is especially important and can prevent dogs from getting lost or running out into the road,” says Dr. Todd. “[You] can also train dogs to help them cope with things, like going to the vet, that they might otherwise find scary.”
Dog training also helps provide mental and physical stimulation for your pup.
Dr. Todd explains, “Training with positive reinforcement is also a fun enrichment activity for dogs and a way to engage their brain.”
With positive reinforcement training, you’ll praise and/or reward your pup with treats for performing the desired cue.
As a responsible pet parent, you should be including dog training in your daily routine.
Whether it is making your dog sit before feeding them or having them wait for you to walk through doorways instead of allowing them to bolt through, you can create habits that help keep your pup’s manners sharp.
Make Time For Play
Playtime is an essential part of building and strengthening the bond between you and your dog. It allows you to establish a fun and positive relationship with your dog while also providing them with a productive outlet for their energy.
“Play helps to stop pets from getting bored, [getting] frustrated and developing behavior problems,” says Shermaine Wilson Cox, DVM, an Atlanta-based veterinarian.
Set time aside each day to actively play with your pet.
Jim Carlson, DVM CVA CVTP, owner of Riverside Animal Clinic McHenry and Grove Animal Hospital & Holistic Center in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, says, “Dogs are companion animals so it’s good for their mental well-being to have positive interaction with their human.”
Not all pets enjoy the same types of play, so you will have to figure out what gets your pup up and moving. This means that you have to experiment with a variety of dog toys until you find what they like.
If your new pup is a big chewer, KONG® toys and Nylabones® are virtually indestructible.
Other dogs may prefer to play fetch or play with a furry stuffed animal friend.
Take Your Dog on Daily Walks
Dog walks are an important part of your dog’s exercise and socialization routine.
Every dog needs regular walks—but how often and how long depends on the dog.
There are dogs that may only enjoy short walks to do their business and then want to head back inside, and there are other dogs that may need to go for longer runs to burn off all their energy.
“For those dogs, it can be helpful to include games such as fetch in their daily routine, or other activities such as agility, dock diving or nose work,” says Todd.
One thing to keep in mind when planning outdoor walks with your dog is the importance of using a dog leash.
A dog leash not only keeps your dog safe and under control, but it also allows other pet parents who may have reactive dogs or fearful dogs to walk their pups without worrying about your dog approaching without consent.
Off-leash time is important too.
“It’s really good for dogs to get some off-leash time, both for the exercise and because it gives them the opportunity to choose what they’re doing for a while,” says Todd.
But you need to make sure that this off-leash time takes place in a secure and safe environment. Todd says that because leash rules are different everywhere, you will need to find a place that is suitable, safe, and legal for your dog to be running around.
This might mean taking them to a dog park or dog beach or on a hiking trail that allows dogs.
Be respectful of other pet parents—don’t assume that your dog can freely approach other dogs without permission.
You’ll also want to make sure your dog is trained to come back to you and follows cues when they’re off-leash.
Clean Up After Your Pet
As a pet parent, you’re responsible for the messes your pup makes.
When you’re walking your dog, always make sure to have dog poop bags on hand to pick up any mess he leaves behind on the sidewalk or in a neighbor’s lawn.
There are plenty of dog poop bag dispensers available that can be attached directly to your dog’s leash, so there is no excuse to not pick up after your pup.
Picking up after your dog is an important pet parent responsibility because it not only helps keep walkways clean, but it also prevents the spread of disease.
“When cleaning, use a detergent that’s safe for pets and does not have a strong smell,” says Todd.
You should also use house cleaners that are non-toxic to your furry family member.
Please read full original article on https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-to-take-care-of-dogs-pet-parent-checklist
Leave a Reply