Important Facts People Must Know About Caring For Dogs And Keeping Them Safe And Healthy

Owning a dog can be very rewarding because of the unconditional loyalty and friendship it can bring into a person's life. Dogs however, are dependent on their masters to provide them with the care they require to meet their physical and emotional needs. If someone is considering adopting a dog, it is important that he or she first learn all that is involved in looking after these wonderful animals.

A dog will require a number of necessary items related to its care. It will need comfortable yet strong collar and leash for when it goes on walks; nylon is a better choice than leather since puppies may like to chew the latter. The dog will also need a suitable carrier for its safe transportation. Sturdy food and water bowls, grooming accessories, a cozy and washable dog bed, and an assortment of chew toys should also be purchased.

Dogs are known as animals that love to eat many types of foods, however some of these may be harmful to the dog so the owner must be aware of which foods are safe for their pet and which are not. A high-quality, nutritionally balanced dry dog food should be the main dietary staple; a veterinarian or breeder can recommend a suitable type. Inexpensive canned dog foods should not be given. To avoid begging, it is best to feed the dog before the family sits down to eat, and then reward him or her occasionally with an appropriate table scrap.

A grown dog will need to be taken for a walk at least 4 times every day, and a puppy will need to go out every 2 hours or so because they lack full bladder control at that age. Walks are a great way for the dog to get needed exercise and socialization with other dogs and be able to explore its surroundings. It is best to not crate a dog unless necessary because it can negatively affects its emotions.

Proper training will be necessary for the dog to learn which behaviors are good and which are not. When training a dog, it is important to remember the "Four P's"; praise, prevention, patience, and practice. Dogs are very smart creatures who are eager to please, with some consistent training they learn quickly. Punishing the animal should never be used in training.

Keeping one's dog healthy is very important, so it will be necessary to find an excellent veterinarian. Dogs need regular check-ups and must be kept up to date on their vaccinations. Unless the animal is going to be bred, it is advisable to get it spayed or neutered to prevent the arrival of unplanned puppies and to protect the dog against various types of reproductive cancers.

Much like new parents who need to "child-proof" their home, dog owners will need to check each room for potential hazards that may harm their pets. Poisonous house plants, electrical cords, small objects that could cause choking, and cleaning products are just some of the items which must be kept out of the dog's reach. A young puppy should not be left alone unsupervised in the home.

Making sure dogs are properly identifiable in the event they get lost is also of high importance. This can be accomplished with name tags which are clearly marked with the name of the animal, owner, and contact number. Microchip implants which make the dog's whereabouts traceable are another way to go about ensuring the animal can be located.