When you get a dog, it becomes part of the family. It is a living, breathing, thinking being with needs that have to be nurtured.
It is your responsibility as a conscientious dog owner to take care of these needs. You cannot expect miracles without some hard work. Also, as time progresses, your dog’s needs will change, just like the rest of us, and you need to be attuned to these changes. Anyway, let’s have a look at a few ways you can take care of your dog.
Nutritional Needs
Let’s start with something pretty obvious. Your dog needs a healthy diet in order to be in the best shape. Dogs are actually omnivores, so a mixed diet of meat and vegetables is the best diet.
It is always worth buying the best food you can. Take the time to read the label on that tin of dog food to ensure the first couple are meat products and not meat substitutes. This way, your dog will definitely be getting the required level of protein.
Also, think about discussing your dog breed with the vet. Maybe there are special considerations you need to make for your dog. In addition, do not overfeed your dog, give them too many treats, or give them too much food for human consumption. This is not the best for your dog’s health.
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Understanding Your Dog
As part of your family, you should become very attached to your dog and begin to understand them and the way they communicate with you.
By becoming aware of what the dog is telling you, you will be far better to cater to their needs, especially as they grow up and age.
Keep your senses attuned to the way your dog behaves. Are they doing something different? What could this mean? Listen to the way they create sounds. Dogs use a variety of different methods to get attention, such as growling, whimpering, barking, whining and howling.
You need to understand the combination of these. If you can get to grips with how your dog communicates and what all this means, you will be far better equipped to cater to their health and wellbeing.
A lot of dogs actually suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone for too long. This could mean you need to work out some form of rota to look after the dog.
Products
Young dogs love toys, so make sure you are keeping them entertained. Older dogs need a little more TLC. So, make sure you are attuned to this. Perhaps take a look at the best dog beds to make sure they are comfortable.
Adequate Training
One of the most important factors to looking after your dog is training them properly. So many dogs are ill-trained, and this causes their owners a lot of stress.
In some cases, this can be very dangerous for the dog and other people. The last thing you want is your dog to be put down! Fortunately, you can invest in training classes even when the dog has developed bad habits.
