subject: Essential Dog Supplies Every Canine Owner Will Need [print this page] Essential Dog Supplies Every Canine Owner Will Need
Bringing a new dog into your family is an exciting event for you and the new dog. Before you welcome it into your home, you'll need a list of dog supplies. Here is list of essential supplies you'll need to make sure your dog is happy in its new home:
All dogs are going to require collar, even if you plan on taking it for walks or not. Dog collars are necessary for wearing tags and licenses in case it gets lost or away from you. They are also handy if you even need to get a handle on the dog quickly. When taking the dog for everyday walks, you may want to research which type of collar would work best. Some dogs are pullers and can choke themselves on their leash. If this sounds like your dog, look into buying a harness-style collar. These types of collars make walking more comfortable for the dog and avoid any neck injuries.
Now that you've decided you are going to take your dog for daily walks, you now need a leash. There are two different styles you can use. Some owners prefer a plain leash. With these, you control the length of the leash as you walk by pulling or tightening it. The other style is a retractable leash. These automatically manage the length of the leash.
Your dog will need to be groomed on a regular basis. Some dogs should be groomed more than others but that depends on the breed. For example, while all dogs must be brushed, long-haired dogs have to be brushed more frequently than a short-haired dog. Brushing helps remove excess hair as well as dead skin. You'll also want to buy some good pet shampoos that are specifically made for dogs. Be careful though because some dogs have sensitive skin and can get an irritation or rash from certain shampoos. After the dog's first bath, check to see if its skin ok with the soap or shampoo you used.
As a good dog owner, you'll want to keep the dog's nails neat and trimmed, especially ones kept strictly indoor. Outside dogs usually wear their nails down by digging and running. If nails grow too long, curl under, and back into the skin, you could be looking at taking the dog to the vet to perform surgery on this serious problem.
Dogs need their teeth taken care of too. In order to prevent cavities and tooth decay, you'll have to brush its teeth.
