How to be the Best Dog Owner
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How to be the Best Dog Owner
Bringing home your dog for the first time is an overwhelming experience. You’re hit with a big wave of love for your new pup! Along with the love bomb brought by a new dog, you’re aware the quality of life for your lovable new pet is in your hands, and you want to ensure they are happy and healthy for the rest of their life. Right?
Being a good dog owner takes time, patience, and dedication. But none of this is difficult to master when you love your pup.
Here are the ten things you can do to make you the best dog owner you can be - and how you can become the best dog parent in your pups’ eyes.
Train your dog.
A well-trained dog has a much better quality of life than one that is not trained. Dogs don’t immediately understand the rules of the human world and need to be taught that they are accepted with welcome arms when interacting with other people and dogs.
Pick up after your pup.
Cleaning up after your dog isn’t just for your own good. It ensures they don’t gain the ill-will of the neighbors or visitors in your home.
Provide proper nutrition.
Like us, dogs feel better when they eat healthily. Providing quality dog food and portioning out meals to prevent excess weight gain can help your dog lead an active lifestyle and prevent disease.
Exercise your dog.
Exercise is essential for all animals and will keep your dog happy and healthy throughout their life. However, exercise needs vary by dog, so be mindful of when they seem overly anxious to play (meaning they need more exercise) and when they seem worn out (signaling they need more rest).
Keep up with vet visits.
Your dog may hate going to the vet, but it is essential to ensure you don’t miss major medical problems that can cause pain and emotional stress. Dogs can’t tell us when they’re in pain, so keeping up with vet appointments ensures we catch health problems early and prevent disease.
Take them on adventures.
Like children, dogs crave our attention. Making memories with your dog increases the bond you share and helps them feel like a part of the family. A trip to the dog park or swim in the lake will mean more to them than you’ll ever know.
Keep up with their grooming needs.
All dogs need bathing and brushing to maintain a healthy coat, but some will need more grooming than others. A boxer, for example, will need frequent baths to prevent skin irritation, while a long-haired Yorkie will need daily brushing to maintain a soft coat. Ask your vet or breeder about breed-specific grooming requirements to ensure they get the pampering they deserve.
Play with them often.
Dogs need to play just as much as they need food, water, and shelter. It helps them connect and feel loved and brings them closer to your family. Plus, playtime is half the fun of having a puppy in the first place!
Try not to get frustrated.
No matter how well-behaved, your dog will inevitably break house rules. They’ll bark, jump on visitors, escape the fence, or pee on your new carpet, and that’s just part of living with them. So while your dog needs proper training, remember to show them compassion and avoid losing your temper, as this can cause them to trust you (and therefore listen to you) less.
Love them as they love you!
Dogs and humans are considered the ultimate companions because of the love they share between them. The best way to become your dog’s favorte person is by readily showing affection to them because you know they deserve it!
