So, now you have a new dog with whom you can share your life. It surely is an amazing experience and will be rewarding for both of you. It can also be difficult, especially if you don’t know the first thing about dog ownership. Don’t worry, caring for a dog isn’t as scary or overwhelming as it might seem. With a little bit of research and learning about the dog owners’ experiences, you’ll surely manage to create a healthy and happy environment for your new best friend.
Here are some tips that will be useful in the long run.
Your Dog’s Health Should Come First
One of the most common mistakes first-time dog owners often make is not prioritizing their dog’s health. According to the canine specialists over at K9Kare, you can avoid letting a dog’s health deteriorate by scheduling daily walks with your new four-legged friend and checking their diet on a regular basis. You should also consider including CBD oil to your furry friend’s diet, which has proven to boost a dog’s health. Don’t hesitate to consult a veterinarian. Based on your dog’s breed, age, weight, health condition, and needs, they’ll be able to recommend the types of food and nutrition that can work best for your furry companion.
Also, it is better to have regular checkups at the veterinarian’s office just to be sure that everything is in order. Frequently playing with your dog is essential too,as it is an excellent way to improve your furry friend’s physical health and will generally make him happy.
Learn Your Dog’s Body Language
Let’s face it, no dog can express what type of food they like, what scares them, or what stresses them out. It’s your job to find that out yourself. If you’re wondering how, simply watch your dog closely and see how they react. Usually, dogs learn to associate stress, fear, and insecurity with certain behaviors that you react negatively to but learning by association should not be misinterpreted as guilty feelings, so don’t let that cloud your understanding of your dog’s reactions.
Learn to separate between your dog’s actual feelings of joy, stress, and fear and feelings that have already been instilled in it due to prior training, or lack thereof. Understanding what your pet is trying to communicate isn’t really difficult, as dogs are more expressive than any other animal.
Start Training Your Dog as Soon as Possible
Unless you want your dog to munch on carpets and furniture, you should start training them right away. This a process that needs focus, time, and patience. Because you’ve just got a new dog, teaching them to steer away from bad habits will be way easier than teaching them to break them. If you don’t know how to train your dog or are too busy, then you can opt for options like professional training, basic obedience classes, or behavioral lessons which can also be given by a professional trainer. This is perhaps the most important step on this list, and it’s also the best thing to start with if you want to avoid any property damage or unfortunate incidents.
Get Pet Insurance
Sometimes, your dog’s bills will pile up and you’ll end up paying more than you thought you would, especially in emergency cases. The good thing is that the pet insurance industry has developed nearly three decades ago, and it offers a lot of perks that make getting pet insurance a wise choice. For example, you won’t have to worry about the medical expenses of treating your injured or sick pet, and you can choose your coverage according to your finances. You will also be able to pick your favorite veterinarian. In addition to this, pet insurance covers all breeds and ages of pets.
Show Affection
Dogs crave love and attention and that’s exactly what you should provide them with. Some trainers think it might not be a good idea to express warmth and affection for your pet. Instead, they believe your attitude should showcase that you’re superior, but this can affect how strong your bond with your new furry friend is. Rather than having a relationship built on signals and cues, your dog should know that he could seek affection from you. The more positive your friendship with your dog is, the more likely it will be eager to obey you.
The previous points should give you a good starting point in preparing all the things that your new furry friend will need. Now that you know that a mixture of affection and training is the key to having a loving, well-behaved dog. So, start with this first and remember, dogs are co-dependent creatures, which means that all your efforts should be focused on helping them navigate life as safely as possible.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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