While humans spend their lives interacting with each other, shared language, emotions, and gestures help us communicate. With animals, it is different. Wild animals can be unpredictable, but our pets help us bridge the gap and connect.
Dogs are resilient creatures but need proper care to thrive with us. We, the owners, must provide that for them. It may seem easy, but there is much more to pet ownership than meets the eye, so we must be accountable for their well-being.
Here are some essential dog owner responsibilities to ensure success.
Prepare Yourself
Owning a dog differs from planting a plant because it needs more attention. You need to understand the commitment you are getting into, so ensure you are ready to dedicate time and money to it. Your lifestyle, hobbies, and personality may also dictate your best breed.
Decide if you will get a rescue dog, a breeder, or an older dog. These animals have different needs, so choose your dog wisely. Know that dog ownership will change your life; it has been a commitment for many years.
Dog Food
Food is among the most cherished things to get right. This not only comes down to the type of food you provide but also how often and how much. There are many schools of thought around this. Ultimately, buy high-quality brands like Orijen dog food. Also, have a few set feeding times during the day instead of letting them graze.
Dog food options include:
- Dry
- Wet
- Freeze-dried
- Dehydrated
- Raw
You can stick with one or more types or offer a variety to see what they enjoy best. Find a reliable local pet store that supplies top dog food brands and seek advice from its experienced staff. Always remember to give your dog fresh water when it gets thirsty.
A good method is to fill their water bowl with a small amount, so it is always available, but they only consume a little at a time.
Set Up Your Home
Dogs need space and a safe environment, so you must dog-proof your home, especially for a puppy. Ensure they have a bed to sleep on instead of a cold floor. In addition, they need an outside containment area where they can be leashed or free to run around.
Adjustment will take time, so allow them to acclimate to you and your place. If you have other pets, it may cause some conflict, but they should get along in no time. Potty training is something you need to tackle. For a puppy, consistently take them outside every hour on a leash so they learn to do their business outdoors.
Also, don’t scold them if they have an indoor accident because they just do what comes naturally to them. This could cause them to be a stealth pooper.
Spend Time with Them
When you bring a dog home, it becomes part of your family, so give it the attention it needs. Remember, while a dog may only be a small part of your life, you are their whole life.
This means taking them out for walks and accessing off-leash areas. Dogs love being outdoors, running around, exercising and interacting with other people and animals. They also need human contact, such as petting and cuddling.
Allow them to come up on the sofa when you watch TV or get down to their level on the floor and lay with them. This time and attention will boost their mood and keep them stress-free. Spending time with your dog also brings you out of the house and provides exercise and a loving connection that provides those feelings.
Vet Visits
Taking care of your dog’s overall health is critical, including taking it to the vet. For a new puppy, they will need vaccinations for:
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies
- Bordetella
These will be given at different age intervals, but you should also visit them annually. If they have any problems breathing or eating, have a sudden weight loss or experience vomiting or diarrhea, take them to an animal hospital right away. These and other unusual symptoms alert you to something wrong, and it is better to err on the side of caution rather than have them get seriously ill.
Your dog owner’s responsibility should be to give your animal the greatest life possible. Ultimately, proper care of your canine friends is the best way to show you love them. In return, they will provide you with unparalleled companionship and unrivalled love.
