Whether you have recently acquired a puppy/dog or have been a lifelong dog owner, this comprehensive list of dog care advice is guaranteed to include valuable information that you may know.

Healthy Dog Tips

Don’t overfeed your dog.

Over 50% of American dogs are obese, which is rising. Overweight dogs are in danger of metabolic irregularities, cardiovascular disease, joint ailments, decreased immunity, and other health issues. They can’t run, play, or do other things as much, either. Don’t cave to your pet’s puppy dog eyes—feed them the vet’s advised quantity!

Examine your dog’s nose.

Your puppy should have a damp nose. A healthy dog will have a cold, somewhat wet nose since canines release perspiration via their noses to cool off. The amount of wetness will vary between dogs depending on the time of year.

Schedule yearly visits to the vet.

Allow the professionals to routinely evaluate your puppy to check for any health issues and to give you the finest, individualized advice to keep your priceless pooch healthy for many years.

Create a kit for “dog’s first aid.”

Being ready with all the necessities to assist your puppy in an emergency or accident is vital to being a good dog owner. It is crucial to be prepared to take your puppy camping or hiking, as you may find yourself far away from any assistance. It is essential for every puppy owner to possess a do-it-yourself (DIY) pet first aid kit.

Obtain pet insurance

Accidents and sickness might cost $800–$1500. This can soon become expensive since a third of pets need emergency care yearly. Pet insurance can cover these unforeseen costs, prescription prescriptions, long-term health concerns, and more, making it a crucial investment for your furry family.

Tooth brushing for your dog

Brushing your dog’s teeth for preventative dental care and overall wellness is sometimes underrated. Make this a regular part of their regimen, and use dog-specific toothpaste. Teeth brushing may be made fun for your puppy every day with a little patience and instruction.

Prepare for emergencies

It’s unpleasant to consider, but you need a plan for your pet if you die. Note your dog’s lifestyle, including meds, feeding schedule, vet’s number, etc. Give copies to someone who could care for your pet in an emergency. Ask around to find at least one or two nearby dog-sitters.

Cleaning and pet-proofing the house

Keep your garbage contained.

Ensure your trash is secure since dogs may consume dangerous, harmful, or inedible things if they are attracted to the delectable smell of your rubbish. Ingesting toxic or unfamiliar substances may require costly emergency surgery.

Provide a secure environment for your dog.

Your dog will feel safe and take daytime naps in a moderate room with his bed or blanket, toys, and a water bowl. This can help your dog relax amid parties, crying babies, and thunderstorms. If your dog was crate trained as a rescue puppy or when joining your family, having their crate open may give them a perfect space just for them.

Keep household chemicals locked up.

Always keep your household chemicals, including pesticides and cleansers, out of your dog’s reach. Numerous clever dogs can and tend to access items in the garage or underneath the sink. To secure cabinets that contain hazardous materials, consider using baby-proof locks.

Wash your dog’s belongings frequently.

The blankets, soft toys, and bedding that belong to your pup can collect germs, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants over time. For your dog’s sake, ensure you wash these items every week. This can be particularly helpful in reducing your dog’s pollen exposure, especially if they suffer from seasonal allergies.

Workout and Brain Stimulation

Walk your dog to keep them healthy and happy.

Regular walks help your dog stay healthy, minimize boredom, aid digestion, and burn off excess energy. You may reduce negative habits like chewing, barking, and digging by offering them a productive outlet.

Add diversity to combat boredom.

Add more walks or outings to your dog’s schedule to break up the monotony. For a change of scenery, take them to a drive-in or place that welcomes pups. Bring them along when you run errands and rotate their toys to keep them mentally engaged.

Relaxation is key.

Children’s play areas are available. Even animals need a place to decompress. Create a unique blanket or bed for your pet in the living room. Keep in mind that pups appreciate relaxing in places where they can observe people coming and leaving and that cats prefer spots where they can see out of windows.

Prepare yourself to chew

For teething and bored puppies, it’s inevitable. Buchwald says dogs will chew furniture when bored. Always have compact rawhides or firm chew toys on hand, especially when no one else is around to play. Children can help here: Walks, fetch, and yard games are great chewing distractions. Cats behave similarly.

Divide and conquer tasks.

According to Buchwald, pets have a unifying effect on the entire family, but ultimately, the adults are responsible for providing the highest level of care. However, assign smaller tasks. My 3-year-old fills our dog’s food bowl during supper, which has strengthened their bond. Make your elder child clean the litter box on weekends or play with the cat after school. Pet care is work!

Electric cables

Only pups and kittens have issues with these. If left unattended or without a teething alternative, puppies will chew on power cables. If the cord is plugged in, it’s dangerous. It’s possible to electrocute. This is one of the many reasons why crate training your puppy is so useful. It keeps him secure and cleans up your house.

Flavored medicines

Flavored drugs are dangerous. This makes giving your pet or child medications easy, but even the best behaved are tempted by them. If your dog swallows the whole bottle of arthritis medication, he will get sick, not pain-free. Even minor or over-the-counter medicine overdoses can cause liver damage, renal damage, upset stomach, and death.

Dog or puppy house training

Your dog or puppy needs to be trained to go outside on a regular basis. Accidents happen during the house training process, but if you adhere to these fundamental rules, you may set your family’s newest addition on the right path in a matter of weeks.

Set a schedule

Puppies thrive on a routine, like newborns. The schedule teaches kids when to eat, play, and clean up. Every month, a puppy can hold their pee for one hour. If your puppy is two months old, it can hold it for around two hours. Don’t go longer between restroom breaks, or they’ll have an accident.

• Outdoors often: Every two hours and shortly after waking up, playing, eating, and drinking.
• Outdoor restroom: Take your leashed puppy there. Use a term or phrase you can use before your puppy goes to remind them. After they eliminate, go for a longer walk or have fun.
• Reward your pup for eliminating outside: Praise or provide treats after they finish, not after they come inside. The only way to train your dog to go outside is to give them a treat when they do. Ensure completion before rewarding. If you praise too soon, puppies may not finish until they get home.
• Feed your puppy regularly: A puppy’s timetable determines its output. Puppies need three or four meals a day, depending on their age. Feeding your puppy at the same time every day will make house training easier.
• Get your puppy’s water dish: About two and a half hours before bedtime to reduce nighttime urination. Most puppies can sleep for seven hours without urinating. If your puppy wakes you up at night, don’t fuss; otherwise, they’ll think it’s playtime and won’t want to sleep. Take your dog out, turn off the lights, and put them to bed.

Supervise your puppy

Watch your puppy indoors to prevent house soiling.

• Puppy leash: Keep your puppy on a six-foot leash when not training or playing. Watch for signals your dog needs to go out. Barking, scratching at the door, crouching, restlessness, sniffing, and circling are apparent indications. When these signals appear, get the leash and take them outside. Praise and treat if they eliminate.
• Leash your puppy in the yard: Treat your yard like any other room during house training. After house training, let your dog roam the house and yard.

Contain when you can’t monitor

When you can’t observe your puppy, confine them to a tiny area they won’t want to use. It should be big enough to stand, lie down, and turn around comfortably. Use a baby-gated bathroom or laundry room.

Or crate-train your pet. (Learn how to confine with a crate humanely.) After several hours in confinement, take your puppy to the restroom immediately.