Having a dog means having a lifetime of love and affection. Your dog will look up to you, be excited when you come home, give you comfort, and rely on you for everything they need.
It’s a wonderful relationship for both of you. Your dog deserves to live the best life possible. Here are 10 ways to be the best dog owner possible.
1. Keep Them Healthy
Of course, your dog needs to be as healthy as possible. You wouldn’t let yourself go too long without seeing a doctor, so your dog shouldn’t, either.
Annual visits to the vet can be expensive, and unexpected visits for illnesses and injuries can be, too.
Luckily, you can get pet insurance for your dog so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for many of these expenses. Keep your budget steady, and your dog healthy.
2. Walks
Taking your dog for a stroll isn’t just about boredom for your pooch. It helps to keep their bodies strong, and their minds strong, too.
They get the obvious benefit of working out their legs every day. However, dogs use walk time to exercise their brains. The sights and smells they experience activate their senses and keep them sharp.
3. Playtime
Most dogs love to bond with others. The way they do that is through walking as a pack, and through playing together.
Make sure that you take the time to play with your dog, whether it’s fetching in the yard or wrestling in your living room.
4. Positive Reinforcement
Too many dog owners get mad at their pets when they do not perform an expected behavior. However, all this does is make your dog behave out of fear. You don’t want your pooch to be afraid of you!
Positive reinforcement means giving treats or other rewards for the right behavior. Your dog will not be scared of you, but they will be more susceptible to doing what you want them to do.
5. Training
Training is a safety issue. You need your dog to come when you call and follow your instructions when needed.
That way you can keep them protected when they are in danger, such as if they sneak out of the yard. Training is also an important time to bond with your pet.
They will learn a lot from you, including what you expect from them.
6. The Right Dog Food
There are many types of dogs out there, and there are many types of dog food as well.
Research the specific dietary needs of your dog, and find a food that meets those needs. Don’t choose whatever is on sale during a given week.
Your dog food should be consistent throughout their lives. If you need to switch, do it slowly so that your dog’s stomach can adapt.
7. Spaying or Neutering
Spaying and neutering are not just about preventing reproduction, although that is a big part of their importance.
For females, spaying can help prevent uterine cancer.
For males, neutering will make them less aggressive with other dogs.
Also, when animals are in the heat it can be very uncomfortable for them. If you are not planning on breeding them, then you can make them as happy and comfortable as possible.
8. Microchipping
The most horrifying moment a dog owner can face is realizing they are lost. Maybe a gate was left open, or they got startled and slipped out of the collar.
However, getting your dog microchipped can keep them safe and bring them back to you. If someone finds your dog, they can bring them to a vet or animal services for scanning.
They will then be able to track you down using that information.
9. Grooming
Just like you need to trim your nails and get haircuts on a regular basis, your dog does too. Hair trims will keep them comfortable and keep them from collecting dirt and debris while outside.
If their nails get too long it can become very uncomfortable to walk. For older dogs, it can exacerbate arthritis. If you don’t want to do it yourself for fear of hurting your dog, then hire a professional.
10. A Comfortable Spot to Sleep
It might seem like your dog can pass out on any surface, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate soft places to rest.
Make sure that your dog has a bed of their own or a spot on a couch or bed that they can spend the night. Even better is if their bed is in a part of the house that tends to stay warm and is not too drafty. Your dog will love it.
Your dog is a part of your family. Make sure that you do whatever you can to be the best dog owner possible.
