Owning a Dog - Tips for First Time Owners

Although a great number of people own dogs, not all of them know how to do so correctly. If you intend to take the responsibility of dog ownership seriously, there are quite a few things you'll need to know. Here are a few useful tips for first time dog owners. 

Home 

It is vital that you provide your canine with a safe environment in which to live. Indoor dogs will be in proximity to all sorts of hazards such as electrical cords and objects that they can choke on. Dog-proof your home to the best of your ability, paying particular attention to chemicals that can cause poisoning like household cleaners, antifreeze, etc. 

You should also be aware of the various species of shrubs and plants that are poisonous to dogs. Having any of those around your home is a disaster waiting to happen. Some of the most poisonous plants include tulips, mistletoe, and lilies. 

Food 

It's obvious that you will need to feed your dog on a daily basis. The quality of the food he eats will have a direct impact on his health, both now and in the future. It's not always necessary or even best to pay for the most expensive brand of dog food. However, it is important to choose a high-quality brand. 

As a general rule of thumb, you don't want to give your dog too many types of human foods. Some of them can upset his digestive system considerably. Foods like grapes and chocolate can even be fatal for dogs, so you'll definitely want to avoid those. 

Exercise 

Your dog needs exercise on a daily basis. Exercise obviously helps prevent obesity. However, it also offers other benefits such as increasing blood circulation, promoting strong bones, and providing mental stimulation. Running and jogging with your dog are two of the most common ways to meet his daily exercise needs. 

If you like to hike, you should consider bringing your dog along. Dogs can also be adept at swimming. Classes designed for canines are also good for providing exercise. 

Grooming 

When owning a dog, you will also need to set aside time for grooming duties. To keep the hair coat in excellent condition, it will need to be brushed on a regular basis. Breeds with longer hair will need to be groomed much more often, especially if you want to keep hair from ending up all over your home. 

In addition to brushing your dog's hair coat, don't forget to brush his teeth daily as well. Canines can develop oral problems like gum disease and infections just like we can when we don't pay attention to our oral health. Buy toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs; don't use one made for humans. 

Pests 

Pests such as fleas and ticks can make your dog quite miserable due to constant itching. However, some pests can also lead to health concerns. Combat fleas and ticks using various methods such as collars, shampoo, powder, and monthly medication. Monthly heartworm medication is also a good idea since heartworm disease can be a fatal disease that's easily prevented. 

Vet 

First time dog owners will need to do research in order to find a quality veterinarian for their pet. Vet appointments should be made on an annual basis to ensure that your dog is in good health. Catching problems as early as possible increases that chances of dealing with them successfully. As dogs get older, it's best that they be seen twice a year. 

Owning a dog is a joyful experience. Keep these tips in mind to help your canine friend will live a long and healthy life.

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Raising a Puppy? 4 Tips for Healthy, Happy Dogs

In addition to being amazing additions to the family, dogs are also a lot of work. They need everything from leash training, to healthy diets, to daily walks. For example, did you know that many dogs kept as pets suffer from malnutrition and obesity? Also, behavior problems like aggression, barking, and chewing on or tearing up furniture are related to not getting enough exercise.

These problems go on to affect your pet's quality of life, their behavior, energy levels, and even longevity. If you want to ensure that your new family member is as healthy and happy as possible, you'll have to take extra steps to care for your dog.

Building good habits, socializing your dog, and being mindful about his or her diet will help you care for a healthy dog who is comfortable well into old age. We've compiled 4 keys to raising a puppy that all dog owners should be mindful of.

4 necessities for raising a puppy

Make Regular Visits to the Vet

No matter what breed or age your dog is, regular vet checkups can be life-saving. You probably already know that your dog has to go regularly, but how often depends on their age, medical history, and size.

Here's a general schedule based on age:

0-4 Months - Every 3 Weeks. Your puppy will get important vaccines for rabies, distemper, and parvo, alongside prevention for Lyme disease, kennel cough, and other health problems.

4-12 Months - Every 2-3 months. Here, your vet will ensure that your puppy is growing well and shows no signs of health problems. If it's recommended for your area, your vet will start a heartworm and flea prevention schedule, and your puppy will likely be spayed or neutered.

1-7 Years - At 1 year, most dog breeds are considered adult. If you have a large dog breed, you may have to wait 6-12 months longer to reach this stage. Your dog should go to the vet for a yearly checkup, even when not sick. They should get distemper-parvo and rabies booster shots during the first yearly checkup, and then every 1-3 years depending on your local laws. Your vet will also recommend changes to diet, additional checkups, and a heartworm and deworming schedule based on your dog and your area.

7+ Years - After 7 years, most dogs are seniors and will need extra care. You should take your dog to the vet at least twice yearly, and be extra conscious of any changes in behavior that may indicate health problems, such as a change in water consumption.

Prevention is better than a cure for both dogs and humans. Don't wait until your dog is sick to invest in preventive measures like vaccinations and deworming.

Tip: Ask your vet about natural treatments to prevent allergies and kennel cough while at the vet, and talk about nutritious treats and snacks to keep them healthy.

Invest in Behavioral Training

When you think of your dog's health, it's common to jump immediately to physical health. However, mental health is equally as important for your dog. A study from Animal Cognition showed that dogs can smell humans' emotions, and when exposed to sweat produced from a fearful human, dogs showed more signs of distress and sought out more comfort from their owners. Alternatively, when exposed to odor samples from happy humans, dogs were more willing to interact with strangers and were generally friendlier.

Training plays a large part in keeping your dog safe and social. A well-trained dog is typically more engaged and less bored with his or her surroundings. Training allows your dog to learn how to react in different situations and helps them stay calm and friendly despite any triggers such as a fearful human nearby.

A well-trained dog is also generally safer since you can tell him or her to sit instead of crossing the road, teach your dog not to go in dangerous areas, and build up good habits (like walking) that will benefit your dog's health for years to come.

Promote a Healthy Diet

Obesity and nutrient deficiency are among the most common health problems for domesticated dogs. These issues affect your dog's quality of life and longevity, but it's an easy fix. Combine quality food with portion control and the occasional snack, and you'll have a healthy dog.

Don't assume that cheap dog food provides the nutrition your dog needs. Most store-brand dog foods are primarily made up of flour and water with added nutrients and flavor. These can eventually lead to malnutrition, tooth decay, gastrointestinal problems, and obesity.

You don't have to choose all-organic or raw-meat based diets, as there isn't enough evidence to show that these are beneficial to your dog. Instead, you should invest in high-quality dog food with a high percentage of meat. For example, you can feed your dog a high-quality canned food supplemented by quality kibble, and have a healthy dog. Avoid human food, as many of the seasonings used aren't good for your dogs.

Don't leave food out all day. Puppies should be fed 3-4 times per day, but adult dogs only have to be fed twice per day. If you leave food out too long, some dogs tend to overeat, which will eventually lead to weight gain and obesity.

Tip: Be mindful about the snacks you give your dog. Most dog treats are about as healthy as human candy. Instead, opt for nutritious alternatives that your dogs will love just as much. For example, dogs 6 months and older can have raw honey for dogs, and not only do they love it, it's great for their overall health, digestion, and allergies.

Finally, clean water is an important part of a healthy diet. Clean your dog's water dish and replace his or her water daily, ensuring it's always full. To prevent bacteria and tooth decay, set your dog's water away from his or her food bowl.

Exercise (A Lot)

Dogs need a lot of exercise. No matter what the age or breed, your dog has a lot of energy. Most dogs, even small breeds, can benefit from approximately two hours of walking every day.

While it is crucial to pay attention to your environment (for example, no dog will benefit from being forced to run in the middle of the day in very hot weather), dogs need exercise. If you can plan four 30-minute walks each day, you are giving your dog the best chance of being healthy, happy, and well-adjusted to living inside a home.

Owning a dog is a lot of work, but after you and your dog build up good habits, it'll be much easier to live healthily for both of you. By taking small steps to keep your dog healthy, you will ensure that your new best friend lives as long and as well as possible.

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Obedience Training Is Great For Your Dog

Owning a dog is a great way to have a constant companion, but you need to realize your companion can easily get hurt if he does not listen to you. This is when you should know how important obedience training is for your dog. When you start to realize just how important this is, you will want to get your dog enrolled in the first training course that you can find and ensure he is properly trained.

Obedience training is the way to establish the master-dog relationship. It allows the dog to learn what is right, what is wrong, what you'll tolerate and what you won't tolerate. Quite often I hear people say I don't need obedience training because I don't want Fido to be a show dog he simply a pet. Obedience training is in for show dogs obedience training is for well-behaved pets.

Having a well-behaved pet will allow you to take your dog places that poorly behaved dogs can't go. Having a well-behaved dog will allow you to go for nice walks through the neighborhood without your dog acting like to Cujo and wanting to attack everybody and everything he sees.

So how does your dog get obedience trained, simple you're going to do it. There are several different ways to go about having your dog trained but the best and easiest is to use the help of a professional dog trainer. There are several options even when you use a trainer. You might consider group obedience classes, which I feel are probably the worst choice because of all the distractions. One of the better options is private lessons in your home because that's where you want your dog to be the most well-behaved. And then of course there's the board and train option that's where you send your dog off for four weeks have somebody else train it and they send you back a well-trained dog.

The board and train option is great if you simply don't have the time are the desire to do any training. You'll have a professional who will do the training for you and if you choose the right trainer you will actually guarantee that your dog will do a certain list of exercises. When your dog completes the training the trainer will teach you how to handle the trained dog. Does that sound simple, it is.

However if you asked me which method I prefer it will be private lessons every time. That allows you to do the training and for your dog to learn to recognize you as the master and the alpha of the pack. Remember a well-trained dog is something that you will enjoy all of its life and a poorly trained dog is something you will regret ever getting.

Happy training!

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Three Ways a Dog Can Enhance Your Life and Make You Happier

Most people spend their whole life searching for happiness, when all it takes to feel true joy is the love and faithful companionship of man's best friend. No other relationship is quite the same as the relationship that you have with your dog. Every time they see you, they are completely overcome with joy, delighted to spend even a few minutes in your presence. They are there for you when you are happy, and are also there to pick you up when you are feeling down.

If you have been feeling like something is missing from your life, getting a dog could be the perfect solution. Here are three ways a dog can enhance your life and make you happier:

1. Having a dog means that you will get more exercise. Taking your dog for a walk is not just good exercise for them; it is also good exercise for you. Regular exercise not only helps you get in shape, but can also help boost your mood. In fact, studies have found that exercise is every bit as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. Best of all, when you spend time with your dog enjoying the outdoors, it doesn't feel like exercise at all.

2. Dogs provide companionship when you need it. You never have to worry about your dog already having plans or not wanting to hang out with you. Instead, they are always happy to see you and love nothing more than spending time with you. Whether you lounge on the couch together and watch TV or head out to the park to play fetch, your dog is a wonderful friend to have around.

3. Dogs can help reduce stress. Numerous studies have shown that dogs have a significant impact on stress. In fact, one study even found that the mere presence of the dog in a room significantly lowered stress levels in participants even if they were not directly interacting with the dog. Getting a puppy is a great way to release tension and minimize the impact of life's everyday stress.

These are just a few of the many ways that owning a dog can enhance your life and make you happier. If you are ready to change your life for the better and have the time and energy to commit to owning a pet, getting a puppy or adopting an adult dog from a shelter is a great way to start living the happier, more rewarding life that you deserve.

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