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5 Essential Tips for First-time Dog Owners

3 Tips for Giving Your Dog a Good Life

Deciding to become a dog owner is an exciting time and will change your life for the better in many ways, but far too many people are unprepared for the reality of caring for a dog long-term. Adorable, tiny puppies grow into dogs who could be in your family for up to 14 years (or even longer), and they rely on their owners for everything. Of course, the commitment and work are more than repaid in companionship, unconditional love, and plenty of joy and fun. Whether you are bringing your first puppy home or adopting an adult dog, here are five tips for first-time dog owners:

Buying your supplies

Before you bring your dog home, you need to ensure that you have everything they need. There is a lot of conflicting information out there about what your dog needs, and plenty of companies out there who will try to convince you that you need to buy their products. You will see plenty of toys and cute outfits that are hard to resist but try not to go overboard. Dogs are unique individuals, and over time you will get to know your dog and find out their preferences when it comes to toys. The important pieces of kit that you need are a collar and leash, food and water bowls, bedding, crate, poop bags, and some dog shampoo.

Choose the right food

You will also need to choose food for your puppy or dog that gives them all the nutrition they need to stay healthy. It is usually best to stick with what they have been eating at their previous home and phase any new food in gradually to prevent digestive upsets. The amount of food they should eat and how regularly will vary depending on their size and activity level.

Preparing for the first few days

The first few days after your puppy or dog arrives will be confusing and possibly frightening for them, so their true personality may not become evident until they have relaxed into their new home. Some dogs will be shy, fearful, or defensive, others will be hyperactive, and some will settle in a few days, while others might take longer.

It is best to start off as you intend to go on in terms of a routine for your dog as this will help them to find their feet sooner rather than later. Click here for tips on helping a fearful dog to feel safe.

Caring for their health

Your dog needs to be registered with a veterinarian from day one, and you should take them to get checked over as soon as possible. The veterinarian will guide you through everything you need to know about caring for your dog and will give them a full health check to put your mind at rest. You should take the dog to the vet at least once each year for a general check, as well as when you have concerns about your dog’s health or your dog becomes injured in an accident.

It is also important for your dog’s health and wellbeing that they are bathed each month, and some breeds will require regular grooming. Letting your dog’s nails or fur grow too long or ignoring skin conditions will cause them great discomfort, so be sure to make a regular appointment with exceptionalpets.com.

Training your dog

Every puppy needs to be trained in some way, even if it’s only training them not to relieve themselves in the house or destroy your furniture. Recall and obedience training also enables you to allow the dog more freedom and gives them clear boundaries. The more time you can invest in training your puppy, the stronger the bond you will have and the happier both you and the dog will be. If you are adopting a dog, it is important to find out as much as you can about their previous home, behavior, and personality traits before they arrive. Many rescue dogs have been through traumatic experiences and may have bad habits, but it is possible to rehabilitate them with the right help.

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