All you have to do is take one quick look around the internet to see that everyone loves dogs. We coo over them, we pamper them, we cuddle them, we make memes about them, you name it. And, of course, we welcome our fuzzy friends and overlords into our home.
If you’ve recently brought a fur child into your life, you might be wondering how to take care of a dog. Don’t panic! We’ve got your back with our helpful guide.
How to Take Care of a Dog 101
Welcome to ‘How to Take Care of a Dog 101’, your one-stop class for dog ownership tips and tricks. Whether you’ve welcomed home a tiny lapdog or a massive outdoors dog who thinks it’s a lapdog, these dog care tips will get you started.
Indoors or Outdoors?
This is a big question many would-be pet owners find themselves stymied by, especially if they have a larger dog. One thing we can say for certain? Don’t chain your dog to a post. If you’re going to have your pup live outside, at least provide them a house and some dog fences to give them the chance to roam the backyard.
However, when the weather turns cold, all dogs will appreciate being welcomed indoors, so you should make sure your pup is trained for both locations. Canines are pack animals; don’t leave them out of the fun!
It’s All About Exercise
Every dog needs exercise, but larger breeds may require more of it if you don’t want to come home to a destroyed living room.
Many ‘bad behaviors’ that get punished by humans are the result of a bored fuzzy friend, not a bad one. So get out there and play fetch. Take your canine companion for walkies! They’ll love you for it, and you’ll reap the health benefits as well.
Is This Food?
Let’s face it: dogs will eat anything. Especially things that are bad for them.
If you want your furry friend to grow up healthy and strong, you need to invest in a meat-first food brand with easy to understand ingredients. Additionally, you should ensure that they don’t have any food allergies. And while they may give you puppy eyes until the break of dawn, you don’t want to spoil them on table scraps.
Training Your Pup
You can either train your dog yourself with careful use of training treats and gentle reinforcement or hire someone else to train your pet for you. It all depends on your patience level and how much you’re willing to spend.
Time for a Check-Up
Most humans don’t go to the doctor often enough. Don’t let that habit translate to your pup as well. Regular vet checkups are integral to owning a dog.
Lavish With Love
This should be a given, but if you’re getting a dog, make sure to give them plenty of love and attention. Those pets and scratches that bring them so much joy will also make you happier. It’s a feedback loop of happiness!
Back to Basics
Owning a dog is a huge responsibility, and it’s understandable to have questions about how to take care of a dog. However, if you follow the tips above, both you and your new canine companion will have a long, happy life.
If you enjoyed this article about caring for dogs and would like to learn more about caring for other animals, check out our blog daily for more content like this!