Must-Read Advice For First Time Dog Owners

So, you’re thinking about getting a dog? Congratulations, you’re making one of the best decisions you’ll make in your whole life. Dogs are loyal and loving; they’ll never leave your side. No matter how many times you’ve been around dogs, nothing can prepare you for looking after one of your own. It’s a lot of effort, and is almost as hard as looking after a child!

Well, you’ll be pleased to know that your life can be made easier. If you’re about to become a first-time dog owner, then here’s some essential advice:

Ensure you provide all the basics

First thing’s first, you need to provide your dog with all the basics. We’re talking about a place to sleep, nutritious food, shelter from bad weather, and a constant supply of water. This gives them everything they need to be comfortable and feel at ease in their new surroundings. It’s irresponsible to not provide the absolute basics for your dog. You have to cater to all their needs, so they don’t go hungry or end up dehydrated.

Research feeding patterns

Dogs come in so many varieties and sizes. One dog might be five times the size of another one! As such, their feeding patterns will differ significantly. Some dogs may only need one or two meals a day, while others need more. Then, you have to think about the amount of food per meal – it’s vital that your dog gets given the right portions. Otherwise, you run the risk of under or overfeeding them. So, your dog could get really skinny and weak, or really fat! It’s easy to figure out the best feeding patterns for your dog; just research the breed online. You’ll see countless articles that explain when they should eat, how much food they should have per meal, and what diet is best for their development.

Research exercise frequency

Along with different feeding patterns, dogs have different exercise regimes as well. Small dogs won’t need as much exercise as bigger ones. You might need to take your dog out three times a day, or you may not even need daily walks. It all depends on the dog you have, but you need to ensure they get the right amount of exercise. So, do your research and figure out how often you need to take your dog for walks, and how many hours of exercise they need every day/week.

Buy a good leash

You need to get a leash for your dog when you take it on walks. For one, I’m pretty sure it’s technically against the law to walk your dog without a leash in certain areas. You’ll see signs that tell you a dog must be leashed, or you could get fined. Secondly, a leash stops your dog from running off! With that in mind, make sure you find the best dog leash for your specific dog. Again, the breed may play a role here as some leashes may suit them better than others. For me, the best kind is the ones that extend outwards as your dog runs ahead. So, they can run quite far in front of you, and you still keep them on the leash. Also, take their comfort into account; you don’t want a leash that chokes them around their neck.

Get dog-proof furniture

Your dog will likely create a lot of mess on your furniture. Their claws can scratch it, and they have a tendency to drool when they sleep. So, if you’re not careful, your new pup will ruin your furniture in a matter of days. To avoid this, you need to get furniture that’s dog-proof. As you can see in the ultimate guide to pet-friendly fabrics, leather and linen are good for dog owners. They help prevent scratching and can easily be cleaned. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your dog causing carnage and ruining your lovely sofa or armchairs.

Find a good vet

When you have a baby, you immediately find the best paediatrician possible. You need a medical professional who has experience working with babies, to ensure they look after yours and provide the best medical treatment. The same goes for dogs; you have to find the best vet out there! Look around for recommendation until you find one that everyone says is good. Now, you’ve got somewhere to go when your dog feels ill or needs a regular checkup. Also, you should take them there as soon as possible to get vaccinated. Dogs need some vaccinations to protect against common diseases, just like humans.

Give them time to adjust

The most important piece of advice for new dog owners is to be patient. Give your dog time to adjust to its new surroundings. When you think about it, they’re probably going through an extraordinary time. Most dogs are born in a litter, then they get separated from their siblings and parents to be taken to an entirely new world. You forget that dogs have a heightened sense of smell. So, when they come into your home, they’re overwhelmed by all the new scents that present themselves. It will take a while for them to adjust to everything around them. So, don’t be surprised if your dog seems distant and spends a lot of time hiding or being timid. Just be patient, let them come to terms with their new home, and they’ll soon settle in.

Train them from a young age

Lastly, it’s a good idea to train your dogs from a very young age. The earlier you train them, the smarter they become. Some dog owners think training is just for show, but it serves a purpose as well. A trained dog is an obedient dog, which means they’ll behave themselves and do what you say! This makes your relationship a lot better, and they’ll be easier for you to handle.

There’s no denying that having a dog will change a lot about your life. First-time dog owners will have a hard time at first. So, use this advice to ease yourself into dog ownership and learn how to take care of your new pup.