How To Care For your Pet Dog

He will be there by your side, as your loving companion ? he will offer you protection if ever the need arises. Pet dog owners in turn must know how to look after their pet dog, and be responsible for it. The dog's needs are simple and easy to follow. When puppies come home they need lots of love and attention. They may stress a little at first, as this is probably the first time they are away from their mother and their littermates. It is important that you begin the process of socialization, generally integrating your new pet into your family and teaching it to relate to people and other animals through gentle play, interaction and having pleasant encounters with family friends and pets

A stress free environment for your puppy

Try and avoid sudden loud noises such as children screaming or doors slamming. Also limit the visitors your new puppy has ? gradually allowing it to get used to more and more strange faces.

Provide a warm comfortable bed ? or alternatively a cardboard box with many layers of newspaper and a washable blanket on top. Make sure your puppy will still fit into it as it grows. Place the puppy's bed where you want it to sleep as an adult or grown dog ? usually the best place would be a quiet, private corner. For the first few nights ? settling period ? a fluffy toy and a warm (not hot) water bottle placed beneath the bedding will help. The puppy may be noisy and stresses at night immediately after separation from its littermates. A low radio or ticking clock can help sooth it.

When the puppy is awake during the day ? give it lots of body contact and talk to your puppy in a soft voice to express friendship and a gruff voice to express disapproval of any of its unwanted actions.

Keeping your puppy safe The following are things to consider when preparing for the arrival of a new puppy. Lock away household and garden chemicals.- Make sure electrical cords are out of biting reach.

Be extra careful when using lawnmowers, skateboards, roller blades or any other similar thing.

Make sure the puppy cannot get thru' any swimming pool fencing.

Teaching your puppy the house rules The newest member of the 'family pack' must learn that you are the pack leader and that it is the bottom dog in the pack. Once the new puppy recognizes its place in the family hierarchy it will be happier and easily trained to obey commands. The puppy will look to its pack leader to protect it and make decisions for it.

Nutritional needs

It is best to start by feeding your puppy the same diet it ate before it joined your family. You can introduce any changes slowly over several days to avoid causing digestive upsets. Commercial puppy foods are recommended and later commercial adult food ? a well balanced good quality dry food is essential. A constant supply of fresh clean water should be available. A deep stainless steel or earthenware bowl will keep the water cooler and in summer ice can be added to the water.

Play time with your Pet Dog

Puppies love to play and this helps them to grow and learn. In the early days when they play among their littermates, it gives them exercise and is the way in which they compete for their order in the pack. Don't be rough with your puppy ? but it's also important in these early stages that your puppy learns that family members are dominant. Chewing helps puppies through teething ? but it is also a way of investigating their environment. This need is easily satisfied with chewable objects and toys. Make sure they don't resemble objects that you don't want chewed, for example how does the puppy distinguish between his old shoe and all of the other shoes in the household?

Puppy Dog Potty Training

Anticipate toilet needs. Take your puppy outside as soon as it wakes up, as well as before and after every meal. Go right outside with your puppy ? this is very important. Take it to a specific area of the garden and wait until it has finished ? always praise the puppy afterwards.

The importance of Exercising your Pet Dog

A retractable leash is ideal for a puppy, in this way you can't force the puppy to over exercise. Adult dogs also need exercise and play ? walking a dog everyday is great, or play in the park with a ball or stick. If everyday is too hard to manage, try at least four times a week.

Grooming your Dog

Get your new dog used to being groomed, handled and examined as soon as possible. Your grooming equipment should include a dog brush and comb. Establish a daily routine where you examine your dogs mouth, teeth, eyes, ears, abdomen, paws and other parts of its anatomy, and although it may not need grooming do it anyway. If your dog is regularly groomed you will only need to wash it if it gets really dirty or smelly. It is best to use lukewarm water and give the dog a brush out first. Use a proper dog shampoo and dry it off with its own special dog towel, before it gets cold. Nails should be clipped as needed depending on the breed of the dog and the surface that the dog usually walks on. If it's a hard surface they walk on the nails will wear down naturally. Special dog nail clippers are available ? if you are not confident with this process ask your vet or a dog groomer to show you the process.

Following these simple steps will ensure you, your family and the newest edition to the family will have a happy, healthy and rewarding time together. http://www.pet-library.com

(c) By Katharine Logan, 2005

Katharine Logan is the Pet-library.com content author and manager. She conducts research on specified subjects to help people with day to day issues. For more click here: http://www.pet-library.com

---

Your Dog and the Dentist: Learn the Drill

While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More

What Type Of Food Should You Really Feed Your Cat?

What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More

Brushing Up On Dog Grooming

Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More

Why Should I Adopt A Pet

Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More

Dog Grooming and Dog Care

Dog grooming is relatively simple for most dogs. I have... Read More

Games You Can Play With Your Dog

Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More

How To Find a Lost Cat

Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More

Three Important Safety Products for Your Dog this Summer

Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More

Dogs Are Mans Best Friend

Dogs are believed to be descendants of wild wolves. They... Read More

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More

Bast, The Beloved Protector of Cats

She is the protector of cats, women and children. The... Read More

Afraid To Buy A Horse At Public Auction?

Here are 5 things to do to put the odds... Read More

Perfect Dog Gifts For the Dog Lover

Have a dog lover on your gift list? Want to... Read More

Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More

Feral Cats - Societys Problem Children

There is a lot of talk going on about what... Read More

Why Cats Flip For Catnip

If you've ever watched as a cat "flipped" over fresh... Read More

Introduce Your Puppy To New Situations And Ensure Good Behaviour For The Rest Of Her Life

They may seem to be bold explorers - sniffing at... Read More

Aromatherapy for Pets

Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much... Read More

Adopting A Dog

You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More

How to Keep Your Cat Free from Diseases with This Quick Guide to Cat Parasites

Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More

Probiotics - The Good Bacteria

PROBIOTICS - The Good Bacteria - Does your pet have... Read More

Old Fashioned Flea Control

Fleas have plagued dogs, cats, and their owners since time... Read More

How to Make Your Cats Life, and YOUR Life, Happier - Training Your Cat

Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More

The Artful Dog Shopper

I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More

Choosing Dog Tags for Your Canine

Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More