A dog needs taking care of and each breed has its own personality and needs. If you want your dog to be healthy, you must know how to feed him, train him and clean him. Failure to do so properly might result in chronic health issues, behavioral problems or poor appearance.
1. Comb him
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Dog grooming is more than just taking care of a dog’s appearance. It’s also done for health and hygienic purposes. There is no general rule for dog grooming. Again, it’s all about the breed. For example, how often you comb your dog depends on the length and texture of his fur. Generally, a short-haired dog is best combed once a week, while a dog with a rich coat could easily be combed daily and it wouldn’t be too much. Here you may find some more grooming tips and tricks.
2. Clean him
Generally, you should bathe your dog at least once a month using a moisturizing and soap-free dog shampoo. Dogs that participate in expos should be bathed more often because that helps the fur look at its best. Also, bathing is necessary after your dog went swimming outside.
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Even though it might seem strange, even dogs need their own toothpaste and toothbrush. Dogs don’t develop caries as humans do, but that doesn’t mean that their dental hygiene must be overlooked. Gum disease and plaque can easily develop if you omit this important detail. Try brushing his/her teeth at least three days / week, if not daily.
Your dog’s ears need special attention because that’s where dirt and microbes accumulate. Not cleaning his ears could lead to infections. Talk to your local vet to see what you can use for ear cleansing.
3. Provide him with healthy and nutritious dog food
If you want your dog to feel healthy and fit, his diet must be balanced and rich in proteins, vitamins, amino-acids and calcium. Choose specific dog food according to his breed, temper and problems that he might have with his stomach, teeth or skin.
Also, you should write down every product that your dog used, be it food, medication or cosmetics. Your dog might become sick one day and the improper use of any of these products may be the cause. Nevertheless, knowing what your dog eats or uses is golden information for a nutritionist.
4. Exercise
Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy and prevent behavioral problems. A dog’s instinct is to run free outside in search of food, territory and mating. Preventing him to do so and keeping him locked indoors will make him feel trapped, even though some breeds are more outgoing than others.
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Take him out for a walk, preferably twice a day if he’s older than 6 months and even more often if he’s a pup. Play with him using frisbees or other stuff that he can fetch. Read this article about 7 fun ways to exercise your dogs.
5. Communicate
Talking is great for his emotional well-being. He might not understand you, but the sound of your voice directed at him will make him close to you. Also, you can use different tones to signal when he’s done something good and when he’s made a mistake like chewing furniture or pooping on the floor.
Remember that, for a dog, his patron is the center of his universe. You might come home after a hard day’s work, tired and in need of silence, but your pooch has spent the day anxiously waiting for you to come home. Treat him like your best friend and know that you must be extra-careful with his diet, training and emotional state.
Author bio:
Troy works as a marketing specialist for Premierpups. He’s passionate about psychology and always takes informed life decisions.
