A Dog’s Baisic Needs

Adopting a dog is pretty much like taking on the responsibility of raising a child. It is a wonderful experience, but there are so many things you need to get right if you want your dog to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life.

In this article I’ll cover five of your most important responsibilities as a dog guardian. Get these right and you’ll be well on your way to giving your new friend the life he deserves.

The Best Nutrition

A good place to start is what you feed your dog. Broadly speaking, you can feed your dog a raw food diet, make your own dog food, or feed your dog a pre-packaged dog food. For the vast majority of dog owners, the third option is the one they will choose, simply because they don’t have time for the other two. This is a perfectly sound choice, provided the product you choose meets your dogs nutritional needs. Not all kibble brands are good, so you may want to discuss this with your veterinarian before deciding.

Veterinary Treatment

Your dog’s health is your responsibility, from the initial puppy shots to annual check-ups and booster vaccinations. You also need to consider whether you can afford to pay for intensive veterinary care should your dog suffer an injury or become seriously ill. The cost can be exorbitant, so it is strongly advised that you take out a pet health insurance policy.

Exercising Your Dog

Whether you have a hyperactive terrier or a laid-back mastiff, your dog needs exercise! Make sure that you have time in your busy schedule to walk the dog, and the fitness levels required to keep up.

Choose a breed that matches your own level of activity and time availability. Don’t, for example, choose a dog that needs hours of activity per day if all you can spare is 30 minutes. You’re just setting yourself up for a major problem.

TrainingTraining is not an “optional extra”, but a responsibility of dog guardianship. A dog that has been trained will generally be calmer, happier and easier to control. Dogs actually enjoy learning, and training provides the dog with mental and physical stimulation.

Never use punishment when training your dog, it simply doesn’t work. Use positive reinforcement instead.

Love and Affection

Dogs are pack animals used to living in a social structure. They are only happy when they can interact with others. Depriving your dog of companionship and affection is incredibly cruel. He needs to be close to his family, not locked outside on his own.

By taking care of these basic needs, you will be well on your way towards raising a happy, healthy dog. And as any dog owner will tell you, it’s a small price to pay for the love, loyalty and companionship you get in return.

If you want to find out more about dog training, dog care, dog grooming and other useful dog information drop by at www.dogsanddogtraining.com