To many people – especially those who have grown up with dogs and who have been accompanying their quadrupeds in everyday life for years – this topic will seem trivial. Freshly baked dog owners, however, may not know what the daily care of a pet should look like and what principles should be followed in it. Are you also just starting your adventure with a pet under one roof? Relax – it’s easy! You will quickly learn everything that matters most.
This is obvious, but it is worth remembering at the beginning – every dog owner must be aware that caring for a dog is a great responsibility and a lot of duties, in which regularity is extremely important. On a daily basis, you need to provide your pet not only with a lot of love, fun and caresses, but also meet all his most important needs. So before you take your dog home, carefully consider all the aspects that will be covered in this article and decide if you will be able to care for your pooch every day.
The basic duties of the dog owner are, of course, regular walks, during which the dog can take care of its needs (not only physiological, but also, for example, the need to sniff), take some fresh air and the necessary dose of exercise. Three walks a day seem to be the absolute minimum – in the morning after waking up, in the afternoon and in the evening before going to bed – but whenever possible (e.g. on weekends and holidays), try to go out with your dog even more often. Also take into account that some breeds, such as the Border Collie, need a lot more exercise than others and must have plenty of exercise to be happy. Also, remember to clean up after your dog – get some pouches and a small dustpan. Always check that you have them with you before going for a walk.
Balanced diet
Responsible dog care also means thoughtful and tailored feeding. There are different schools related to feeding your dog
“What should the best dog food contain?”.
It is worth remembering not to overfeed the dog, because it leads to overweight and obesity, which – just like in humans – are difficult to get rid of later and which cause serious diseases (such as diabetes, arthrosis, etc. ). Adult dogs should eat an average of two meals a day, and puppies should receive at least 3-4 portions of food a day. Guidance on serving size (based on your dog’s weight and sometimes activity level) is on the food packaging. Of course, this rule applies to healthy dogs. If your dog is ill, your veterinarian may recommend that you give him, for example, 5-6 meals in smaller portions.
Health under the microscope
In addition, proper care of your dog requires regular visits to the vet. For a dog to stay healthy and immune, it should be vaccinated and dewormed regularly. Vet supervision and periodic examinations will allow you to quickly detect any ailments and diseases of your dog, thanks to which it will be possible to react quickly and implement treatment.
Love and a sense of security
Also, be mindful of your pet’s emotional needs. He will be happy and fulfilled if you give him time and attention. However, it is not only about going for a walk with the dog, but also about playing at home and training in the basics of obedience (with positive methods!), Thanks to which he will acquire new skills and increase self-confidence.
Dogs like constancy and rules because that’s when they feel safe. Therefore, always be consistent. Everyone in the household should treat the dog in the same way. Otherwise, when the dog receives conflicting signals (e.g. one of the members of the household will let the dog sleep in the bed, and another will chase him away), he will feel frustrated, and this is a straightforward way to parenting problems.
The dog should have its own place in the house where it can rest safely. Be sure to provide a comfortable dog bed – it should be in a quiet place where no one will disturb him.