Dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years and no animal lover can fail to admire these smart, energetic creatures. This is a practical guide for beginner pet owners who want to own a dog and it has information on all aspects of dog care.

Choosing a dog:

Most households aren’t suitable for dogs so you should consider how your dog would fit into your household and how your lifestyle would affect your dog.

  • Size of the dog
    • Labrador Retriever( 22-24 in)
    • German Shepherd(24-26 in)
    • Bernese Puppy(27 in)
  • Guard dogs
  • Toy dogs for owners with small children

Feeding and Nutrition: 

For modern dogs, nutrition is important and different dogs need different diets.

  • Puppies eight to 12 weeks old need four meals a day.
  • Feed puppies three to six months old three meals a day.
  • Feed puppies six months to one year two meals a day.
  • When your dog reaches his first birthday, one meal a day is usually enough.
  • For some dogs, including larger canines or those prone to bloat, it’s better to feed two smaller meals.
  • Satisfactory mixture of carbs, fats and proteins
  • Moist diets
  • Complete dry feeds

Grooming: 

Proper hygiene is essential for your dog and reduces chances of health problems for your dog .

Short-coated dogs:

  • Need less attention
  • Need daily grooming 
  • Avoid eyes while brushing

Rough-coated dogs:

  • Need more attention
  • Brushing and combing will prevent coat matting

Things that you need to look for:

  • Watch out for skin problems
  • Regularly brush your dog’s teeth along with a healthy diet and plenty of chew toys
  • Eye checks
  • Ear checks 

Training:

Every dog is capable of learning so don’t give up if it’s not cooperating with you. This information will help you on better training your dog.

Socializing: Your puppy shouldn’t be overwhelmed and you need to handle it carefully.

Early Learning :

  • Puppies should learn the word, “No” from the earliest age. This teaches them discipline
  • For example, if your puppy chews your shoes laces, give them a tap on the nose and a “No” 
  • That will teach the puppy there are somethings to avoid in life

Housing:

Your dog needs a warm, quiet place to rest, away from all drafts and off the floor. A training crate or dog bed is ideal, with a clean blanket or pillow placed inside. Wash your dog’s bedding often. If your dog will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered shelter when it’s cold.

Things you need:

  • Premium-quality dog food and treats
  • Food dish
  • Water bowl
  • Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
  • Brush & comb for grooming, including flea comb
  • Collar with license and ID tag
  • Leash
  • Carrier (for smaller dogs)
  • Training crate
  • Dog bed or box with warm blanket or towel
  • Dog toothbrush