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Dog
Care Basics You Need to Know!
Just
What Sort of Breed is an
"Outside" Dog Anyway?
Dog Care Basics:
Probably my biggest pet peeve as it pertains to animals is when someone
refers to their dog or cat as an "outside pet". My immediate response
is, "just
what sort of breed is that?"
 You
can imagine the responses to that question. Answers range from complete
confusion ("what??")
to fumbling around for an answer that won't appear
insensitive to animals ("well,
I'm not home much and we just can't
trust Fido alone").
Or my personal favorite, "he prefers to be outside".
To which I reply:
"Really...then he must indeed be
a new breed because what dogs really want and need is to be close to
their humans!"
What
differentiates an outside dog from an inside dog? Absolutely
nothing! The difference is not in the dog, it lies within
the human owner. Who knows why people seek a dog in the first
place if they do not intend for him to be part of their family. What
causes
people to become disenchanted or inconvenienced by their pets?
Maybe
education is the key, or at the very least a good awareness of what it
takes to
raise a pet. Dog care basics were not likely considered for the dog
that has been relegated to living outside. "Outside"
dogs are destined
to live lives of solitude, boredom, and loneliness. 
How would you feel if you were secluded day in and day out from the
people you love by a window? Some
dogs aren't even fortunate enough to have a window to look through.
These
dogs will most often become so frustrated that they turn to destructive
behavior or bark all day until their owners can no longer tolerate it...
...and maybe they end up abandoned to shelters.
What to do if you find a lost pet...
Or even worse, an
"outside" dog may be doomed to life tethered to a tree or a post
without the ability to roam, or run. Many dogs in
these conditions end
up dead resulting from entanglement in their chains.
Dogs can become
severely dehydrated as a result of running out of water and languish in
the heat of summer or suffer dehydration from the freezing cold of
winter.
Have
you ever seen what a dog's knees or elbows look like from lying on
cement every day? They become hard, cracked, and
calloused and most
likely painful.
Imagine yourself in your twilight years, having to lye on ice cold
ground with
arthritis pain coursing through your body, but you have no way to
complain. Pain
is NOT any less painful for an aging dog than it is for us; they
deserve better!
Of course if you're reading this and looking
through websites for information about dog care basics then
you're
not likely in the same category as the imaginary pet owners described
above.
So what's a dog's first and biggest basic need:
YOU!
While dog care basics go beyond food and water, it's really
not that
complicated, nor should it break the family budget. But there are some
dog care basics you need to consider. Pets needn't ever become an
inconvenience if you know what to expect from the start. For the sake
of keeping it simple, we're going to be covering just the "daily" dog
care basics on this page.
Your dog's daily needs are really very simple:
Beyond
the big stuff like vet check-ups, yearly vaccinations, flea &
heartworm prevention and the decision whether to spay or neuter; let's
look at what's needed during a normal day with your pooch.
- Dog
Care Basics: Safety
Make your home and your yard a safe place for your dog. Learn what can
be hazardous and poisonous for your pets and take
steps to ensure they stay protected.
- Dog
Care Basics: Food
Dog
food choices these days are as vast as the ocean. Making the best dog
food choice for your dog should first be considered by
researching the needs of your particular breed. You might consult a
breed organization as they make it their business to know the
requirements of
their specific breeds.
Next
your veterinarian should be consulted. He is best qualified to analyze
your dog's health, nutrition, and calorie requirements. Your dog's food
is one of the most important decisions you'll make. What he eats will
affect his overall health and well being, so choose wisely and don't let
price be your decision maker.
- What
about treats?
Well,
here's an area where most of us go overboard. Treats need to be
considered in the total calories your dog requires to keep her at a
healthy weight. Obesity brings on health problems and early death, just
like it does in people. Some studies have shown that keeping a dog at
peak weight or even slightly underweight can increase their life by
several
years.
- Dog
Care Basics: Fresh Water - Every Day
Do
we really need to say anything more? No human would want to drink two
day
old water full of slime and drool...and neither do dogs! Mine
stare at me over their water bowl first thing every morning
anticipating the cool fresh taste of clean water.
- Dog
Care Basics: Exercise
Yep,
just like us, they need it. It will keep them fit, stimulate their
minds,
and help them stay calm, not to mention it's great motivation for you
to get
out every day and move! We'll explore a variety of activities as well
as ways for your dog to entertain himself while shedding some calories.
- Dog
Care Basics: Training
Yes,
I've included training as part of the basics. A trained dog is a happy
and safe dog. There are many schools of thought about dog training, and
I highly recommend a method of training that does not include
intimidation or punishment. Training should be an enjoyable
exercise for you and your pet and should always offer positive
reinforcement and love.
- Dog
Care Basics: Grooming
Not every dog needs daily grooming, but even if you have one that does
it shouldn't be overwhelming for either of you. If I were to give just
one piece of advice here, it would be to start this habit when you
first bring them home to live with you; puppy or senior dog.
One of the
mistakes people make in the area of grooming is infrequency.
If you don't make this a habit from the onset, your dog will most
likely be less than cooperative when it comes time for grooming. What
do I mean by daily grooming? Simply run a brush through his coat
everyday if
possible; the important thing here is to get him used to it and for you
to make it a habit.
- Dog
Care Basics: Tooth
Brushing
Ok,
speaking of habits, here's one that should never be overlooked. Yes
dogs and cats can develop periodontal disease, and sadly this is the
case with too many pets. Age, breed type, and genetics all play a part
in determining dental disease.
If your dog's teeth are neglected, it will most
certainly lead to health problems. And no, dry
food will not keep them from getting tartar and plaque build up.
Here again, the younger and sooner you begin, the better your dog will
adapt to the habit.
- Dog
Care Basics:
Sleepy Time
Ideally
your dog should have a bed, crate, or mat to call his own. Even
if he sleeps with you, he will likely appreciate his own comfy space to
take naps or just hang out. The size/type of bedding he will
need
is based on the individual dog. If he's a senior citizen then soft and
cushy is a must for those old, arthritic bones.
If
your dog's a puppy then you should consider a dog crate to help with
potty training. If the type of bedding you choose wouldn't
be comfortable for you, it won't be for your dog either.
Of course dog care basics go beyond just daily needs. You're in this
for the life of your dog right, so
preparation and planning are important.
Training Resources -
Voice
4 Dogs
- Mindful Leadership Brings out the Best in your Dog. No Disclaimer!
Everyone can do it - Every dog responds to it!
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