As any dog owner knows, having a pet means a lot of love, but a lot of work. In order to have a pet that is well trained and healthy, you must care for your dog properly. That means routine check-ups by a veterinarian, as well as the daily care of walks, feeding and playtime. When it comes to dog care, there are a few basics that every dog owner should follow, no exceptions.

When you welcome your new pet to the family, make sure that he is properly tagged, meaning that he wears identification that can be visibly seen if he becomes lost or escapes from the backyard. A collar with an identification tag is best and should include your name, address and phone number. For added protection, opt to have your pet microchipped by the veterinarian. The microchip can then be detected, even if your pet’s collar comes off, and you can be reunited with your pet.

In order to protect your dog, make sure she is vaccinated against common pet-related diseases, such as rabies, ticks or heartworm. Besides getting routine shots and medication, dogs also need regular checkups by veterinarians, who can listen to their heart and check for other ailments. An important part of having a dog means getting him neutered, preferably as a puppy. Most dogs do not come spayed or neutered, but there are many resources that make this affordable for dog owners. Reach out to your local human society for inexpensive rates on spaying and neutering. If you have the money, then opt to have your dog spayed at the veterinarian’s office using a laser, which is less painful and invasive for the dog.

Ideally, you want to have a large, fenced in backyard for your dog to play in. Yet with all the dog owners living in condos, apartments and townhomes, this simply isn’t always the case. If you don’t have a large yard for your dog, make sure he gets out to the dog park or on regular walks and runs through the forest preserve. Another important part of dog care is feeding your pet a nutritionally balanced diet, so make sure that you discuss with your vet the best choice of food for your pet. There is special food for puppies and senior dogs, as well as vitamins your dog may need.

There are two important decisions to be made at this juncture regardless of the dog’s breed. You can choose to temporarily shelter the dog by taking it in out from the elements and at the same time look for it’s rightful owner. Or you can keep it for your own pet. Again your choice will probably depend on how good of an animal lover you are. It will be no easy task to provide care to the stray dog you have taken in. It will need to be provided with adequate shelter, food, medical care treatment and animal medical insurance in some cases. Oh yeah you should also plan to take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible to get it checked out for any possible diseases.

You will also want to maintain your dog’s health while it is in your care. To do this you should perform all of the necessary daily duties required to prevent your pet dog from falling prey to illness. This includes providing adequate and comfortable shelter and food. In some respects it could be compared to raising a small child before they reach the age of being able to communicate.

Eating habits are still based on the instinctual habits of the dog’s wild counterparts. some dogs feed on a “stuff-yourself-or-starve” mode and tend to eat more than they need when food is made available to them. for this reason, owners must be in control of their dog’s food intake. obesity is very harmful to your dog’s health at any age. it puts undue stress on vital organs that can lead to serious health problems. So be a responsible pet owner and monitor your dog’s food intake.

Now that you are armed with this information how will you best apply it? Just keep in mind that your new pet is also a new companion that can likewise protect you from harm’s way. But just like anything else that requires time and attention you should make sure you give your new companion comfortable and adequate dog care,food, shelter, love and attention. By following these simple guidelines you can and should enjoy your new pet immensely.