e-Dog-Training
| Intro to Dog Care 101 |
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| Featured Article |
All good pet owners want to take the best possible care of their
canine companion. I've often wished every pet could come with a
special 'Complete Owner’s Manual' - specific to each dog.
Breeders and rescue groups often provide the new pet owner with
some literature and advice; but the amount of resources provided
is usually just not sufficient.
Consider E-Dog-Training.com your 'Dog Ownership University' -
and consider this article one part of your course on "Dog Care
101". This article will introduce you to some basic knowledge of
dog health care, basic training, and grooming. Dog ownership
requires an education - for you and your pup!
As a dog owner, one of your first concerns is most likely the health
of your pet. Be sure to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a check
up as soon as you bring him home. The breeder or rescue group
should have already done this - but you'll want to introduce your
pet to your vet - and getting another expert opinion on the health
of your pup never hurts anyway. If you have not yet chosen a vet,
talk to pet owning friends. Find out what they like about the
veterinarian they are using, as well as the things they wish they
could change about the experience. Then make an appointment
with the vet you think would be the best fit for you and your pet.
You want to work with a veterinarian with whom you can have a
good rapport. Use your first visit as an opportunity to further your
‘education’. Inquire about vaccines to protect your dog’s health.
Also learn about other preventatives you’ll need to use, such as
heart worm preventative, which is essential. If your dog has not yet
been spayed or neutered, talk to your vet about the best time to
have this done. (One of the few reasons not to have your pet
spayed or neutered would be if you plan to show your dog in AKC
conformation competitions.) Also, you will most likely want to use a
flea and tick preventative, so now is the time to find out what your
vet suggests. Never give your dog any medication without
instructions from your veterinarian. When your vet does prescribe
medication be sure to closely follow the dosage instructions.
*Never* give your pet over the counter human medication. Your vet
should check your dog’s teeth at each exam too. To assure your
pet's dental health be sure to brush your dog's teeth just as you
would a child's.
You should ask your veterinarian about micro-chipping your pet
too (if your breeder or shelter has not already done so.) Micro-
chips are as small as a grain of rice, are not painful for your pet,
and are fairly inexpensive. Most veterinarian offices and animal
shelters now have equipment to scan for microchips. If your pet
should ever get loose and wander far from home, this could be the
tool that reunites you and your canine companion. We once found
a German Pointer by the side of the road. He had lost his collar
somewhere over the many miles he had traveled; but was reunited
with his family only because he had been micro-chipped. This is
what makes mico-chips so essential.
While micro-chips help to reunite you with a lost pet, there is much
more to assuring your pup's safety. It is never safe for your dog to
be outside unsupervised. If your dog is outside without a lead he
faces many dangers. One danger is being involved in an
automobile accident. And this is a double danger, as not only is
your canine companion at risk of injury - but the people in the car
are at risk as well. Also, if your dog is outside unattended, he could
encounter and be attacked by an aggressive dog. (This is one
reason many people do not approve of 'invisible' fences too.)
Another danger of having your pup outside unsupervised is that he
could ingest a poisonous plant (such as Nightshade) or a
poisonous substance (such as anti-freeze) while not under your
direct control. Even inside your home there are many dangers to
pets - especially puppies. There could be poisonous plants and
household substances inside your home as well. Even toys can
pose a safety choking hazard if the toy isn't properly chosen or
supervised. It is safest to confine your puppy even indoors when
you cannot directly supervise. Crates are great for this purpose.
And crating, combined with close supervision, make house-training
easier as well.
You will also need to learn how to groom your dog. Obviously,
some dogs require more grooming than others. Short hair dogs
generally require less grooming than long hair dogs. The group of
dogs noted as being 'non-shedding' usually have 'hair' that
continually grows - so they will need to be periodically clipped or
trimmed. Since the grooming requirements of each breed vary so
greatly, it is probably best to learn about your particular dog's
needs from the breeder from whom you purchased your pet. If you
rescued your pup from a shelter talk to the shelter personnel about
this, or contact a local dog club dedicated to your dog's breed. You
could also make an appointment with a professional groomer and
have the groomer give you tips on regular grooming. Be sure to
ask the groomer to demonstrate proper ear care and nail clipping
too. In general, most dogs need weekly grooming – dogs with
higher maintenance coats may need daily grooming. You should
begin getting your dog accustomed to being handled and groomed
as soon as possible. Dogs should view grooming as fun – not as
something to try to avoid. Your pet, your vet, and your dog
groomer will all thank you in the long run!
Dogs also need training and exercise. These will not only be
opportunities to make and keep your dog healthy and well
behaved, they are great bonding opportunities too. It is best to
start with a puppy socialization class – frequently called puppy
kindergarten. Puppies should not come into contact with other
dogs until the puppy has had all its inoculations. It is generally safe
though for your puppy to attend puppy training classes with other
healthy puppies - who are all being kept current on their
vaccination schedule.
Dog training should be an ongoing process. It is important to
continue training your dog, on a day to day basis, so that he will
behave appropriately and be a pleasure (rather than a nuisance)
for you and all those he encounters. I’m sure you want your dog to
be a source of pride as well as a canine good citizen. You may
even want to work on obtaining the AKC designation: CGC (Canine
Good Citizen.)
Play and exercise are necessary too. They are important for your
pup’s physical health as well as his mental health and well-being.
Play and exercise will also aid in the dog training process, and, of
course, the human / canine bonding process too. Your dog will
respond best to you if you have bonded well through play and
activities. Your dog should come to view *you* as the
greatest/most fun person in the world - someone he would do
anything to please. Learn all you can about training and caring for
your canine companion to increase the long term enjoyment you
will both share for many years to come.
canine companion. I've often wished every pet could come with a
special 'Complete Owner’s Manual' - specific to each dog.
Breeders and rescue groups often provide the new pet owner with
some literature and advice; but the amount of resources provided
is usually just not sufficient.
Consider E-Dog-Training.com your 'Dog Ownership University' -
and consider this article one part of your course on "Dog Care
101". This article will introduce you to some basic knowledge of
dog health care, basic training, and grooming. Dog ownership
requires an education - for you and your pup!
As a dog owner, one of your first concerns is most likely the health
of your pet. Be sure to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a check
up as soon as you bring him home. The breeder or rescue group
should have already done this - but you'll want to introduce your
pet to your vet - and getting another expert opinion on the health
of your pup never hurts anyway. If you have not yet chosen a vet,
talk to pet owning friends. Find out what they like about the
veterinarian they are using, as well as the things they wish they
could change about the experience. Then make an appointment
with the vet you think would be the best fit for you and your pet.
You want to work with a veterinarian with whom you can have a
good rapport. Use your first visit as an opportunity to further your
‘education’. Inquire about vaccines to protect your dog’s health.
Also learn about other preventatives you’ll need to use, such as
heart worm preventative, which is essential. If your dog has not yet
been spayed or neutered, talk to your vet about the best time to
have this done. (One of the few reasons not to have your pet
spayed or neutered would be if you plan to show your dog in AKC
conformation competitions.) Also, you will most likely want to use a
flea and tick preventative, so now is the time to find out what your
vet suggests. Never give your dog any medication without
instructions from your veterinarian. When your vet does prescribe
medication be sure to closely follow the dosage instructions.
*Never* give your pet over the counter human medication. Your vet
should check your dog’s teeth at each exam too. To assure your
pet's dental health be sure to brush your dog's teeth just as you
would a child's.
You should ask your veterinarian about micro-chipping your pet
too (if your breeder or shelter has not already done so.) Micro-
chips are as small as a grain of rice, are not painful for your pet,
and are fairly inexpensive. Most veterinarian offices and animal
shelters now have equipment to scan for microchips. If your pet
should ever get loose and wander far from home, this could be the
tool that reunites you and your canine companion. We once found
a German Pointer by the side of the road. He had lost his collar
somewhere over the many miles he had traveled; but was reunited
with his family only because he had been micro-chipped. This is
what makes mico-chips so essential.
While micro-chips help to reunite you with a lost pet, there is much
more to assuring your pup's safety. It is never safe for your dog to
be outside unsupervised. If your dog is outside without a lead he
faces many dangers. One danger is being involved in an
automobile accident. And this is a double danger, as not only is
your canine companion at risk of injury - but the people in the car
are at risk as well. Also, if your dog is outside unattended, he could
encounter and be attacked by an aggressive dog. (This is one
reason many people do not approve of 'invisible' fences too.)
Another danger of having your pup outside unsupervised is that he
could ingest a poisonous plant (such as Nightshade) or a
poisonous substance (such as anti-freeze) while not under your
direct control. Even inside your home there are many dangers to
pets - especially puppies. There could be poisonous plants and
household substances inside your home as well. Even toys can
pose a safety choking hazard if the toy isn't properly chosen or
supervised. It is safest to confine your puppy even indoors when
you cannot directly supervise. Crates are great for this purpose.
And crating, combined with close supervision, make house-training
easier as well.
You will also need to learn how to groom your dog. Obviously,
some dogs require more grooming than others. Short hair dogs
generally require less grooming than long hair dogs. The group of
dogs noted as being 'non-shedding' usually have 'hair' that
continually grows - so they will need to be periodically clipped or
trimmed. Since the grooming requirements of each breed vary so
greatly, it is probably best to learn about your particular dog's
needs from the breeder from whom you purchased your pet. If you
rescued your pup from a shelter talk to the shelter personnel about
this, or contact a local dog club dedicated to your dog's breed. You
could also make an appointment with a professional groomer and
have the groomer give you tips on regular grooming. Be sure to
ask the groomer to demonstrate proper ear care and nail clipping
too. In general, most dogs need weekly grooming – dogs with
higher maintenance coats may need daily grooming. You should
begin getting your dog accustomed to being handled and groomed
as soon as possible. Dogs should view grooming as fun – not as
something to try to avoid. Your pet, your vet, and your dog
groomer will all thank you in the long run!
Dogs also need training and exercise. These will not only be
opportunities to make and keep your dog healthy and well
behaved, they are great bonding opportunities too. It is best to
start with a puppy socialization class – frequently called puppy
kindergarten. Puppies should not come into contact with other
dogs until the puppy has had all its inoculations. It is generally safe
though for your puppy to attend puppy training classes with other
healthy puppies - who are all being kept current on their
vaccination schedule.
Dog training should be an ongoing process. It is important to
continue training your dog, on a day to day basis, so that he will
behave appropriately and be a pleasure (rather than a nuisance)
for you and all those he encounters. I’m sure you want your dog to
be a source of pride as well as a canine good citizen. You may
even want to work on obtaining the AKC designation: CGC (Canine
Good Citizen.)
Play and exercise are necessary too. They are important for your
pup’s physical health as well as his mental health and well-being.
Play and exercise will also aid in the dog training process, and, of
course, the human / canine bonding process too. Your dog will
respond best to you if you have bonded well through play and
activities. Your dog should come to view *you* as the
greatest/most fun person in the world - someone he would do
anything to please. Learn all you can about training and caring for
your canine companion to increase the long term enjoyment you
will both share for many years to come.