What a dog turns out to be is a result of its upbringing. What you feed the puppy with, how you manage its interaction, the training it receives–these determine the kind of adult it turns out to be.

This article discusses essential tips on raising a good dog.

Adequate preparation

Before the puppy’s arrival, there are certain steps you ought to have taken to ensure proper adjustment of th e puppy to its new environment; your house.

Some things you are supposed to have arranged for before the puppy comes include:

Accommodation: The living area for the puppy–be it a room, a cage, or a simple enclosure–ought to be well arranged for its arrival. The space provided for the pet depends on the size of the puppy and the requirements for its breed.

Food and accessories: These follow accommodation. You need s uitable accessories like collars, leashes, and grooming kits, with which you will take good care of the puppy. The food provided also has to be of high quality to ensure the proper growth of the dog.

Records and schedules: It’s just one pet, but anyone can get caught up with work and forget to feed the dog, take it for exercise, or take it to the clinic for regular checkups. Setting up a schedule for the dog’s activities will ensure that you pay attention to its needs. Records help you track what you have bought and when medications are due, like for vaccination and deworming.

Feeding

Feeding is a crucial part of dog care. Knowledge of the essential nutrients for your dog will help you to get the right formula or feed type for your dog.

All dogs, at puppy stages, require a lot of protein in their diet. Dogs are essentially omnivores, so there has to be a balance between plant and animal products in the feed bought or your homemade feed.

As they grow older, the protein required drops significantly. They will need more calories in their food. That way, they will be able to exercise better.

Most dogs are at risk of obesity. Therefore, the owners have to monitor the calorie intake of the dog. Also, regular exercise is vital in preventing obesity. As a dog owner, you are to seek advice from a veterinarian on how best to compound your dog feed. Reliable dog feed brands include Purina Dog Chow and Royal Canin.

Medications/checkups

There are several medications a dog is expected to receive to maintain good health. It is the owner’s responsibility to see to it that the dog gets these medications. Also, there is a need for regular visits to the clinic to check the dog’s vital parameters, like blood glucose levels, blood pressures, and urinalysis tests.

Some of the medications dogs need are:

Regular vaccination: Vaccines against killer pathogens, like Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper Virus, and Leptospira species, are available. Consult your veterinarian for a comprehensive vaccination schedule for your dog.

Regular dewormings: Since dogs are susceptible to helminthic attacks, they have to be taken for treatment against worms.

It is also not out of place if the owners have vitamin and mineral supplements for their dogs. T hese supply trace nutrients are otherwise absent in the dog food.

Training

Obedience training is a paramount requirement to raise a well-mannered dog. Obedience training is best started at about two months of the puppy’s life. As you train it for obedience, you also encourage its ability to get along with humans and other dogs. This makes it less nervous or hostile towards humans.

Grooming

Grooming is an important part of taking care of dogs. Some dogs don’t shed as much as others, so the degree and frequency of grooming differ among breeds. Dog owners are to get the appropriate tools–for instance, hard, long-haired brushes are meant for dogs with long coats.

The nails are also to be trimmed regularly to avoid discomfort for the animal. Occasional bathes will also help keep the dog clean and presentable.

In summary, getting a puppy from a good stock doesn’t guarantee a good dog; good management practices do!