A Dog’s Tail

So, you want a new puppy? Welcome to the wonderful life of owning a dog.

So, the first step to owning a dog, is to know what to expect when they come home. Whether your new dog is a puppy or adult, there is going to be an adjustment period between the owner and the dog. Dogs are often scared when they go to a new home. But fear not! They can adjust quickly. Adult dogs may need more time toadfish, but puppies are fairly quickly. I got both my dogs when they were puppies, and both adjusted within the hour.

Puppies are cute, but they aren’t easy. There is a lot to learn about puppies. Socialization, training, and vaccinations are just some of. The learn you will need to research more on depending on your dog’s breed and how they react to other dogs and other people.

Not that you are a proud dog owner, you must master the basics. Every dog needs a proper nutrition, shelter, physical care, and social interaction. Once you master the basics, you are on your way to giving your dog the best life.

Step one, find a veterinarian. Every dog needs a good vet. One of the first places you should take your dog is the vet. Your vet will look out for your dog’s health, educate you about your dog, and guide you through ownership of your dog.

Next step is to stock up on supplies. Your dog needs all kinds of stuff in its new home. A bed, leash, collar, name tag, crate, and so much more. There are many great dog supply websites or stores, such as Petco, PetSmart, and chewy.com.

Your dog needs a proper diet. It is the foundation of its health. Do your research on many dog foods. There is no right answer when it comes to choosing the right food for your dog, as long as its complete and balanced. I will tell you this though, I didn’t do my research and I actually found out through social media that the food I was feeding my dogs, had been recalled for having pieces of plastic in the food. Some of the foods that have been recalled include IAMS, Purina, Gravy Train, Cesar, Diamond, Kibbles N’ Bits, and Pedigree. Now, you may be asking why are these food bad? Well, your have to read the ingredients. One of the first ingredients should always be a protein. If its not, your dog isn’t getting the nutrients it needs. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, they require at least 18 percent of protein in dog food. That is the bare minimum for its protein. If the kibble is multi-colored, DO NOT BUY IT! It has something called animal by-products, which are the scraps of the animal, the parts of an animal that aren’t fit for human consumption, and the feces of the animal. Also, when it says animal by-product or meat by-product, the manufacturer doesn’t know what animal or meat they are putting in the food. You want to look for an identifiable meat, such as chicken, salmon, or beef. Do not buy the 50 lb bags of food, its just full of fillers and won’t benefit your dog. Some fillers include corn, wheat, and soy. These are notorious for causing health issues. They are used in dg food mainly to beef up the food a bit and increase the calorie count. While they will keep your dog full, it doesn’t benefit your dog’s health in any way. Fillers are primarily used to keep the cost of the food low. Look for BHA. It is listed as a preservative but it is the leading cause of cancer in dogs. Some other ways you can find your dogs its necessary nutrients is either feeding them a raw diet or adding in food toppers such as powdered nutrients for there skin and coat, digestive system, and physical health overall. I know its a lot to take in but do your research and find what food is best for your dogs.

Next,training. Every dog needs training. Training helps you keep control of your dog and gives him/her some structure. In the long run, the right training can make both of us happier, as well as enhance the bond between the both of you. Take a little time each day training and eventually they will listen. Some things I did for my dog’s were putting them in their crates at night and in the morning we bring them outside and the run around the backyard and they go to the bathroom outside. Putting them in crates at night or putting them in their crates when you have to go to work or run some errands also reduces the risk of excessive chewing, destructive behavior, going to the bathroom in the house, and separation anxiety.

No dog is perfect. Most dog owners have to deal with some kind of behavioral issues with their dog at some point. It may be something as simple as excessive barking or destructive chewing,or something more serious like separation anxiety or aggression. You might even see your dog urinating inappropriately, which could be a health issue or behavioral issue.

Be ready for health problems. Throughout a dog’s life, there will be a few health problems are bound to happen. If you are lucky, you’ll only see some of the common health issues that are easier to deal with.

Be a responsible dog owner. One of the most important things you will need to know as a dog owner is being responsible for your dog. Being respnsible for you and your dog is about committing to your dog for life and accepting responsibility for your dog’s actions. It means taking proper care of your dog while respecting others. If you can do this, then you and your dog will be best friends.