Basic Dog Care

Before acquiring your first dog, it is important to understand the basics of pet care. The information provided is a good first step, but we recommend consulting a trained veterinarian in your area. A veterinarian can give you good tips specific to the type of dog you wish to purchase.

When selecting a dog for your family there are several things to keep in mind including how big you want the dog to be when fully grown, what sex you want, how much shedding you can endure, how much grooming you are prepared to do, and whether you are prepared to house train your dog or whether you wish to adopt a pet once they are more mature. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect dog and you must realize that there are always risks. Owning a dog is a big commitment.

For those who have children, it is important to make them part of the decision making process when choosing a dog. Discussing the breed options and potential responsibilities will help them adapt to the new addition to the family.

Once you have purchased your new dog and brought it home, it is important to ensure that it receives the proper vaccinations. It is required by law that your dog is vaccinated for rabies, so that they do not pass on the harmful disease to the rest of your family. Pets acquire rabies from contact with wild animals and the result can be deadly. Your dog will need to have a rabies shot every 1-3 years; however some veterinarians will vaccinate more than the required time allotment for extra precaution. Puppies should receive their first rabies vaccination when they are between 3-6 months old.

Your dog will also need to receive various other vaccinations including the booster shot annually (which will prevent a number of different diseases), the bordetella vaccine annually (which prevents “kennel cough”), and the lyme vaccine annually (to prevent lyme disease which can be passed to humans). Be sure to speak to your veterinarian to determine which vaccinations your dog requires, and how often they should be having these vaccinations.

Training the dog is one of the most important responsibilities of the owner. Training will not happen over night. Ample time and dedication must be given to the dog to ensure that they are adequately trained. There are three different training methods to consider. .

Group training is one of the most preferred training options, as it is inexpensive and teaches your dog how to respond to commands even when surrounded by other people and dogs.

Private training is more expensive, but you can fit the classes around your own schedule and your entire family can attend. Your dog may learn even faster with one on one training as opposed to in a group.

Self training generally involves a great deal of crating. When selecting a crate be sure that the crate is large enough for the dog to lie down in, but not large enough for them to urinate in one corner and sleep in the other. The dog should be put in the crate anytime that they are left unattended (while you sleep, while you are away from the house, and even when you are simply busy and not in the room). Crating your dog teaches them to “hold it”, as they begin to realize that the problem won’t be remedied until they are let out of the crate. This method could have your dog trained in as little as one month.

When bathing your dog it is important to use a dog shampoo as opposed to your own. Using a human shampoo could make your dog’s hair dry. It is usually unnecessary to bathe your dog more than once a month. Some dogs may even be able to go longer than one month! Cotton balls should be placed in their ears to prevent water from entering (this will prevent unwanted ear infections). Also, make sure the dog is thoroughly dried off so that they do not pick up anything new directly after the bath.

Feeding your dog is relatively simple; however, with so many options available it could seem confusing. It is best to stick with well known brands that only make pet foods as opposed to the ones that make a number of different products. When deciding between dry and canned pet foods it is best to go with dry. Dry dog foods can strengthen your dog’s teeth.

As you can see, there is much to know about dog care. It is important to understand exactly what is involved in caring for a pet before purchasing one.

For more information on dog care, contact a veterinarian in your area.