Are you all excited about bringing home your new four-legged, furry, best friend for life? Or are you the one who’s still undecided about whether you should entertain any ‘doggy adoption’ thoughts? Or oh! Did you just warm up to a puppy in the shelter yesterday, when he gave you that hopelessly, adorable puppy-eyes look and you just whisked him away without doing the numbers or the thinking the thoughts- about your life together- in partnership- through thick and thin- about whether your dinner would sit on the table and under – about potty business in the potty place which is not your favorite rug, by the way – about favorite furniture legs looking less worthy from happy puppy-teeth marks?
Well, no matter where you’re at with your situation about adopting a dog and bringing him home to your family, this blog will list out the most important steps about taking care of your dog.
First things first: Identify your dog
This is a very crucial step and goes beyond giving Toby his name and calling him Toby over and over again, so he knows it is HIS name.
Give your dog the security of an external identification by getting him to wear a collar and an ID tag that includes your name and telephone number. Make sure his collar is not too tight around his neck and allows for about two fingers to pass through between the collar and his neck.
Have your dog microchipped by your veterinarian. A microchip, about the size of a rice grain, is inserted beneath their furry coat. This chip contains contact details of the owner. So if ever, the dog gets lost, a vet would be able to scan the chip and return the dog to its owner(s).
Your dog is a child forever, no matter how big he grows
You probably already know this if you happen to have a dog. He’s no grown-up, boring adult. He’s a forever, happy child. That also means, he has feelings and emotions just like us- humans. He should be treated with lots of love and affection. Since dogs don’t understand human language, it is useful to train dogs and get them to learn and obey some simple commands.
It’s best to train them when they are puppies. How to train your dog, is a great blog on training needs and details out some very useful tips on potty training, obeying simple commands such as ‘stay’, and keeping off your favorite furniture.
Exercise your Dog
Dogs are lively creatures and are packed with unbridled energy. It’d be tragic if you adopted a dog and did not give him the freedom, choice or opportunity to play and run about (remember- he’s a child in a doggie’s body). Look for dog parks or dog beaches, near where you live and take him there to run about unleashed and mingle with other dogs.
Dogs love to ‘socialize’ with their kind, just like humans enjoy human company. Make sure you walk your dog in addition to some play time. However, note that some dogs walk fast and some slow. Match your pace with that of your dog’s, it should not be the other way around. Pay attention to your dog’s needs during a walk, if he’s panting hard, it means he’s tired and thirsty. Take frequent breaks and allow your dog to sit under a shelter or a tree, every now and then. Let walks for your dog be fun, not a chore.
Change up the route every now and then, dogs are explorers, they love new areas. Make sure they are always on a leash when you walk them.
Vet Visits
Make vet visits a routine. It is important to visit the vet regularly. Veterinarians (easier to say, vets), will be able to say if your puppy or dog is healthy. When you take your dog to the vet, be sure to carry along medical records of your dog, vaccination history, current medication.
Also be sure to answer the vets questions on any observed change in your dog’s behavior, appetite or energy. How to Know When Your Dog Needs an Appointment at the Vet , is a good place to start doing your research about vet visits.
Good Nutritious Food
Needless to say, food for dogs is just as necessary and important as it is to any living creature. It’s fuel for energy, and a basic necessity. However, food requirements and composition for dogs change according to the dog’s age and physical condition.
Check with your vet on the nutritional requirement for your dog. As for any healthy diet, your dog’s food should be balanced and a complete meal. As dogs age their dietary requirements change. For instance when they get older, their teeth may not be as sharp and would require more easily chewable and digestible food.
Along with nutritious food, there should always be enough fresh water for your dogs. It’s best to clean out their water bowl everyday and pour in clean water. Big dogs would empty out their bowls very quickly during summer, so it’s best to keep an eye on the bowl and keep it filled to the brim at all times.
Spay or Neuter your Dogs
It is never a bad idea to ‘alter’ your dog. Why? Several reasons. Unless you are sure you (or someone you know) can adopt the litter of your dog, it helps if you did your part to neuter or spay your dogs, so that you wouldn’t inadvertently contribute to the population of homeless dogs, who end up in shelter homes with only an iffy (if they are lucky) chance to be adopted and (if they are not as lucky) have an ‘if not, or else’ damocles sword hanging over their innocent heads.
Neutering or spaying your dog is also known to help them lead healthier lives. Spaying your female dogs helps prevent breast cancer and any infections in the uterus. Neutering for male dogs helps in preventing prostate or testicular problems.
Also, neutering male dogs makes them less aggressive and hence easier to handle.
Taking care of dog’s is not child’s play. It’s fun but a tonne of work. Get a dog or a puppy if you’re willing to invest time, energy, and love. It’s a relationship, that once built gives you back love like no other and a lifetime of happy life-moments and memories.
For a quick guide on how you should prepare yourself and your home for your new puppy, take a look at this video.
Taking care of dog’s is not child’s play. It’s fun but a tonne of work. Get a dog or a puppy if you’re willing to invest time, energy, and love. It’s a relationship, that once built gives you back love like no other and a lifetime of happy life-moments and memories.
