Category Archives: Dog Care

Dog Care Basics

Dog care is a special task that involves various aspects of handling dogs. It is no way lesser than taking care of a child. People who want to buy dogs surely should know the ways of handling dogs. There are different varieties of dogs like Doberman, Poodles, Spaniel, Alsatian, Labrador, and many others.

Each requires a different kind of care. The structure, food habits, and behavior differ from one breed to another. So, dog care cannot be generalized under one roof. There are even courses to refresh you about how to take care of your dog. Dogs like to be with people. They do not prefer staying alone. They need regular exercise and lots of affection to be showered on them. They should be given a clean, safe and healthy environment.

The special attention shown on them will be rewarded by them as they are known to be the most faithful ones. Dental care should be done at least once a year by a veterinarian and we must also brush its teeth regularly. The dogs’ eyes should be taken care as they can also develop cataracts. The normal focusing lens of a dog is lesser than a human being by three times. As they grow old, they develop this disease so they should be attended immediately.

Dogs also develop ear mites. This is developed due to contact with other dogs, as it is a contagious disease. As a result of this, they have irritating ear infections. They may develop skin disease due to this and hence must be treated with medicines at least for a period of three weeks. You can apply a skin cap spray on a regular basis to avoid skin itching as it also improves the appearance of the skin. Dogs develop nail fungus, but it is not a contagious disease. It should also be taken due care of.

How should I approach a dog I do not know?

It is best not to approach the dog at all, but rather ignore them and allow them to approach you. Don’t touch them, don’t bend down with your hand extended, don’t talk to them, and don’t make eye contact. If the dog walks over and smells you it does not mean the dog wishes to be pet. Dogs get a lot of information about someone by smelling them and because a dog is smelling you does not mean they want you in their space touching them. Remain confident and strong minded. If you are nervous, anxious or scared etc… the dog will read your emotions as a weakness and will be more likely to react in a dominant manner. If the dog jumps on you, the dog needs to be corrected by you. A jumping dog is a dog who is stepping into your private space, which is disrespect in the dog world.

Senior Dog Care Tips

Having a dog that is starting to advance in years needs special care that is different from that of a much younger dog or puppy. A dog that has hit its senior years often has lost a lot of its former spunk and energy. Someone who owns a senior pooch has to pay much closer attention to their dog’s health needs in order to keep the dog healthy. Here are a few tips to help you along with the process of learning how to care for your older puppy.

The first thing that you need to know is that each breed of dog is different in its determination of senior years. A lot of your smaller breeds tend to be around 10 years old or so when they are considered seniors. This changes up a lot so do your research on the breed of dog you currently own so that you can know roughly when to expect these changes to take place. Bigger dogs are usually considered seniors at five years of age.

If you can’t find any information concerning the aging of your particular dog’s breed you should call up your local vet and ask him or her if they can tell you that information. If the vet tells you your dog falls into this category you need to make sure you pay close attention to how your dog behaves and how he moves. Older dogs like this get sick a lot more often than younger dogs so don’t be surprised if your trips to the vet seem to increase. You may start to see your dog start moving a lot slower than he used to, which is a definite indication he is officially a senior dog.

One important aspect of caring for an older dog is his diet. As your dog ages you will need to change up the type of food he eats in order to make sure he is getting all the vitamins, nutrients, and protein he needs to be strong and healthy. Buying food that is specifically designed for older dog is a must. This food will not only give your dog nutrients but will also help your dog to maintain the correct weight.

Something most people tend to neglect is taking their senior dog out for some good healthy exercise. Just because your dog is getting older doesn’t mean he’s dead! Your dog still wants to play and have fun with you so feel free to take your dog out for a walk and play with him or her. They will enjoy it and it will help keep them healthy and in shape.

A lot of older dogs are prone to getting arthritis in their joints, which makes it very difficult for them to move around. You may start to notice that your dog has a hard time keeping up with you when you take him out, or that he is looking a little stiff at times. There are two things you can do to help reduce his pain during this time. One of them is to help your pooch slim down and lose a few pounds. You can also take him to the vet to checked out and get some medicine that will help with the pain.