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How to Be a Good Dog Parent
Dogs are more than just pets; they are loyal companions, furry friends, and family members. They deserve our love, respect, and care. But being a good dog parent is not always easy. It requires patience, commitment, and responsibility. Here are some tips on how to be a good dog parent and make your dog happy and healthy.
Training
Training your dog is essential for both your dog’s safety and your sanity. A well-trained dog is easier to control, less likely to cause trouble, and more enjoyable to be around. Training your dog also strengthens your bond and communication with your dog.
The best time to start training your dog is when they are young, preferably between 8 and 16 weeks old. However, it is never too late to train an older dog as well. The key is to be consistent, positive, and clear. Use rewards such as treats, praise, and toys to reinforce good behavior and avoid punishment or harsh corrections that can damage your dog’s trust and confidence.
Some basic cues that every dog should know are:
Sit: This cue may help your dog calm down and focus on you. It also prevents your dog from jumping on people or running away. If their booty is on the floor, their paws are not in the air!
Stay: This cue teaches your dog to remain in one place until you release them. It can be useful when you need to leave your dog alone for a short time or when you want to prevent your dog from chasing something.
Recall: This cue ensures that your dog will come back to you when you call them. It can be lifesaving in dangerous situations or when your dog is off-leash. If you dog doesn't reliably follow this cue, then your dog is not ready to be off-leash in public spaces.
Leave it: This cue tells your dog to drop or ignore something that they are interested in. It can prevent your dog from eating something harmful or getting into trouble. The wonderful thing about the leave it cue is that the impulse control learned can help with counter surfing and other undesired behaviors.
Watch me: This cue gets your dog to pay attention to you.
Touch it: This cue can be a foundational tool for shaping a number of behaviors with your dog.
Caring
Caring for your dog involves providing them with their basic needs such as food, water, shelter, grooming, health care, and exercise. Here are some guidelines on how to care for your dog properly:
Food: Choose a high-quality dog food that meets your dog’s nutritional needs according to their age, size, breed, and activity level. Avoid feeding your dog human food that can be toxic or unhealthy for them, such as chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, xylitol, etc. Feed your dog at regular times and in appropriate portions to prevent obesity or malnutrition. Make sure that your food meets AAFCO Standards.
Water: Provide your dog with fresh and clean water at all times. Change the water and wash the bowl daily. Make sure your dog has access to water especially after exercise or in hot weather.
Shelter: Provide your dog with a comfortable and safe place to sleep and rest. This can be a crate, a bed, a mat, or a couch. Make sure the place is clean, dry, warm, and cozy. Avoid leaving your dog outside for long periods of time or in extreme weather conditions.
Grooming: Grooming your dog helps keep them clean, healthy, and attractive. It also prevents matting, tangling, shedding, parasites, infections, and odors. Grooming your dog includes brushing their coat, trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, and bathing them when necessary. The frequency and method of grooming depend on your dog’s coat type and length.
Health care: Take your dog to the vet regularly for check-ups, vaccinations, deworming, spaying/neutering, microchipping, etc. Monitor your dog’s health and behavior for any signs of illness or injury such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, scratching, etc. If you notice anything unusual or concerning about your dog’s health or behavior, contact your vet immediately.
Exercise: Exercise your dog daily according to their energy level and physical ability. Exercise helps your dog burn calories, maintain muscle tone, improve cardiovascular health, relieve boredom, reduce stress, and prevent behavioral problems. Exercise can include walking, running, playing, fetching, swimming, agility, etc.
Being a Good Dog Parent
Being a good dog parent means more than just providing for your dog’s physical needs; it also means fulfilling their emotional and social needs. Here are some ways to be a good dog parent and make your dog feel loved and happy:
Spend quality time with your dog: Your dog needs your attention and affection as much as you need theirs. Spend time with your dog every day by playing with them, cuddling with them, talking to them, or simply being with them. Your dog will appreciate your presence and enjoy your company.
Communicate with your dog: Your dog can understand your tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. Use these cues to communicate with your dog and let them know how you feel and what you expect from them. Be clear, consistent, and positive with your dog and avoid yelling, hitting, or scolding them. Praise your dog when they do something right and correct them gently when they do something wrong.
Respect your dog: Your dog is a living being with their own personality, preferences, and feelings. Respect your dog as an individual and treat them with kindness and dignity. Do not force your dog to do something they do not want to do or are afraid of. Do not tease, taunt, or hurt your dog. Do not neglect or abandon your dog. Do not take your dog for granted or ignore their needs.
Socialize your dog: Your dog needs to interact with other dogs and people to develop their social skills and confidence. Socialize your dog from an early age by exposing them to different situations, environments, sounds, smells, etc. Introduce your dog to friendly and well-behaved dogs and people and let them play and mingle with them. Avoid exposing your dog to aggressive or fearful dogs or people that can traumatize or harm them.
Have fun with your dog: Your dog wants to have fun with you and enjoy life. Have fun with your dog by doing things that you both like and that make you both happy. Try new activities, games, toys, or treats with your dog and see what they like. Laugh with your dog, smile at your dog, and be silly with your dog. Your dog will love you for it.
Being a good dog parent is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that can enrich your life and your dog’s life. By following these tips and the many others to follow, you can be a good dog parent and make your dog happy and healthy.
It's a marathon, not a race!
Our furry friends will be a part of our lives for many years. Developing a good relationship built on trust will pay tremendous dividends in the long run. Our goal is to not gain compliance, but to gain the desire to please us.
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