subject: Dog Necessities- Must-haves For Dog Owners [print this page] Having a dog as a family pet is a wonderful thing, but there are some things that can make it even better. These might be what could be referred to as must-haves. Now if you are already enjoying the wonderful world of dog ownership, you may want to have a look to be sure you are not missing any of these dog necessities.
Like any pet, your dog needs food, water and shelter. Like children, they need to be taught what is okay and what isn't okay. Another necessary ingredient is caring. If any of these must-haves are missing, there may be problems.
First off are the basics of water and food. Be sure that your pet has lots of clean water whether he is indoors or outside. Even if your dog drinks from puddles, it's still a good idea to regularly clean his water bowl.
Set-up a routine for feeding your pooch. Check with your vet to see whether he recommends morning or evening feedings. It may depend upon your dog's activity level or even the breed. In either case, just be consistent.
Fill his bowl with as much food as he is allowed and set it out in the same place each day. Many dogs will wolf their food down as soon as it's put down, while others like to nibble over time. If you have a nibbler, dry food may be a better option. And choose a quality dog food that contains the necessary nutrients for his age.
Shelter is equally important and there are certain things to consider depending upon whether your dog stays inside or out. If he is an inside dog, you need to decide where you want him to sleep and where he will be if you're not home.
For new puppy owners, a crate works well. Be sure you put a comfortable crate bed inside the crate, and leave an area for a water bowl. If your puppy is not housebroken, you may want to set aside a small area at the far end of the crate for this.
If you have a laundry room, or can use a gate to keep your pet in a hallway or smaller area, this can work when you aren't home. Be sure he has access to water and a comfortable dog bed to lie on.
Dog beds may be one of the most important things you can invest in. You can train your puppy right from the start that his bed is where he lies down and not your couch or carpet.
It's so much easier to clean a dog bed, especially a washable dog bed, than it is to clean your couch. If he has a favorite spot on the carpet, that area will look different than the rest of the carpet, in time.
Another important part of dog ownership is training. Well-behaved dogs are more pleasant to live with as well as being easier to control. You aren't doing your dog or yourself any favors if you don't train him. It could even save his life.
Think about this. If your dog is trained to stop and sit, or come when called, you might be able to prevent him from running out in front of a car.
Training can be fairly simple. You will need a collar and a lead to start. If you decide to do it yourself, get a good manual to guide you. Otherwise, enrolling in a local dog training class is a good option. Training pays off in many ways. For example, taking a well-trained dog for a walk is so much better than struggling to walk an untrained dog.
Dogs are probably among the most sensitive animals. They pick up on your feelings and are eager to please you. Having a dog as a pet can be a very most rewarding part of everyday life. So be sure you do your part in providing the must-haves and make sure your list of dog necessities is complete for your favorite furry friend.
