Gone are the days when people having pets used to call themselves a pet owner. The thin line between a pet owner and a pet parent is that at the end of the day the pet is just an animal for the pet owner but not for the pet parent. A pet parent treats their dog equal to any other member of the family or a fur child. If you are also a pet parent or about to be one then you are on the right page as these tips will come handy once you have a furry friend with you:
1. Get your dog Vaccinated:
This should be the first step before you bring home your dog. Make sure you take your dog straight to a vet and get the necessary vaccinations. These vaccinations will help your dog stay away from various health issues and diseases. Please do not have a misconception that a vaccination is not as important because it may help you also stay away from illness from your dog. Once you visit the vet, he/she will make you aware of the necessary vaccinations according to the breed and age of your dog.
2. Opt for the Right Food:
Let’s face it that all these fur balls need is a little, care, food, and shelter.
And once you start feeding them they will know that you care for them. But, you will have to choose the correct food for your dog because they do not have any knowledge about it and they will gorge onto anything available. For example, if you have a Shih Tzu then he will need a diet that includes 50% protein and serving has to be around 50-65 grams of dog food per day. On the other hand, if you have a Labrador then he will require 200-230 grams of dog food that you chose.
However, please note that the food type and quantity depends entirely on the breed of your dog, age of the dog, and activity of your dog.
3. Make your pet comfortable at your home:
Now you have to understand that your home is just not yours anymore but it is equally your dog’s home too. He /she lives there and has to feel welcomed by all members. Let them sniff your entire place and choose their favorite point to snuggle. He might like sticking by your side and follow you everywhere possible which you will get used to soon. Understand that he is away from his actual family and now you have to make him a part of your family.
4. Make their environment safe:
Bringing home a four-legged friend is similar to bringing home a baby. They are unaware of the danger so you will have to make sure that you dog-proof your home just like you baby-proof it. You have to assure that there is no chemical like floor cleaner, toilet cleaner, or any possible dangerous chemicals within the reach of your dog. There should be no nails, screws, or small plastic baby toys that your dog might swallow because of curiosity. In a nutshell, your dog will want to inspect everything initially but make sure they are not dangerous.
5. Train your dog:
Now that your dog is home and is comfortable with you, it is time for you to train him/her because the sooner you start it the easier it will be. Keep in mind that it is difficult to teach something new to an adult dog because that will tend to break his pattern. So when your dog is in the puppy stage you can make him learn new things every now and then as they are more active. Training is an essential part because that will help you communicate with your dog. Make sure you involve a lot of hand gestures while training as they will grasp better than just vocal instructions. Once your dog gets a basic instruction correct give him a treat and pat him gently on his head by letting him know he is your “Good boi”.
6. Keep your dog active:
Now if you are a new pet parent then you must know that your dog has to be walked thrice a day or at least twice a day. Apart from walking, you can make him play “Fetch” with the help of a ball, frisbee, or any durable rubber toy. This will not only keep your dog active but also prevent you from being a couch potato. Your dog’s shape will improve if you keep him exercising regularly.
7. Groom your pet:
It has been noticed that some new pet parents shower their dogs frequently and some do it once in a blue moon. It is highly recommended that you keep a track of your dog’s shower schedule and make them shower at least once a month. You do not have to bathe them in every few days as that will make them fall sick. However, dry shampooing every alternate day is recommended and combing the coat of your fur baby will keep him all shiny and away from ticks. Apart from that you must cut their nails and get their hair trimmed whenever required. Some people think that big nails help their dogs scratch themselves better but it makes walking painful for your dog. In the longer run, it might lead to joint issues so you have to take care of this as well.
8. Do not forget that water bowl:
One of the most common mistakes that a pet parent makes is, keeping the water bowl empty. It can be easy to overlook your pet’s water bowl but it is what your “paw friend” will rely upon. If you see your dog panting a lot then you might want to keep a check on the water bowl and fill it up if it’s empty. Also, youmust change the water at least twice a day and also wash the water bowl regularly. Keeping the water bowl dirty will lead to bacteria buildup in the bowl and eventually make your dog sick.
9. Get your fur ball a cute Dog tag and add details:
It has been noticed that people just concentrate on how fancy a dog collar should be for their pet and forget about the dog tag. A dog tag plays an important role as it will help your dog come back to you if he gets lost by any chance. In case you are a new pet parent, you might not be used to all the tugging and pulling a dog will do initially on the leash. He might lose up the collar and run away from you because of the lack of control. Just in case you lose your dog, someone might reach you if you have a dog tag on the collar of your dog. Be mindful on information you add to the dog tag. You must enter your name and phone number on the back of the tag.
10. Become a good “hooman” in your dog’s eye by giving him a Dog toy:
We understand that initially you might feel that you are always there for your fur ball to play. But, the reality is that as humans we have a ton of other tasks and responsibilities throughout the day, so it is important for your dog to have his own little toy so that he can play whenever he wants and doesn’t misses his “hooman”. Also, you could get a chew toy for him so that when the teething phase starts your furniture and shoes are in single piece.
Please note that the aforementioned points may vary depending upon the breed and age of your dog
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