Hello world! My name is Mary, and my dog is my best friend. His name is Bandit, and he's a spunky little rescue. He hates to be left alone, and I'll admit that he once broke through a screen, walked several miles to where I was, and sat outside the cafe waiting for me. Since I work from home and don't go out often, I spend a lot of time with him. However, in most cases, owners would need to crate train their dogs in those situations. Anyway, wherever you are in your relationship with your dog, I hope you find what you need in this blog. It's going to be a mixture of fun tips, ideas, and facts. Enjoy!
Give a Dog a Bone: Blogs About Pets and Toys
5 Surprising Things Your New Pup Needs ASAP
Amber Knight
Whether you've just bought a new puppy or adopted an older dog, you have a lot of responsibility for your furry friend. While some items are obvious, such as food and toys, others may seem unnecessary. However, they aren't. Check out these five surprising things your new pup needs as soon as possible.
New Pet Checkup
If you buy from a breeder, you are likely given all the pup's medical records. Even at dog shelters, they are typically given exams and some treatments/preventative care. However, don't just assume your dog is healthy. There are many things that are commonly missed, especially when you adopt from a shelter. With so many other animals coming through, it is difficult for every dog to get through examinations. In most cases, they are treated for the most common diseases. It's up to you to take your new dog to a vet for a new pet checkup. This gets your dog familiar with your vet, and lets your vet start looking for signs of potential future problems.
Identification Tag
Dogs don't typically wander the streets alone unless they are strays. Therefore, you may not think your dog needs an identification tag, but that isn't the case. Dogs are clever creatures, and if your dog does somehow get out of the house or yard and get lost, an identification tag is their ticket back home. You can get inexpensive tags at most pet supply stores and online. You can even choose from different designs if you opt to get custom dog ID tags. Just make sure you have your dog's name and your phone number clearly marked on the tag.
Good Leash and Harness
You may not think you need a leash or harness if you aren't active outside. However, if you're going to get a dog, start getting active. They need daily walks to help with many factors, including:
- Health
- Socialization
- Structure
- Confidence
- Drive fulfillment
Ensuring you walk your dog every day reduces a lot of your dog's stress. Dogs have a drive to walk, so when it is not met, it is more likely for your dog to show destructive behavior.
Crate or Cage
It sounds mean to lock your new pup in a crate, but it is actually beneficial for your dog. It's not a good idea to crate your dog all day, but you should start introducing your dog to the crate. Get your pup used to staying in the crate. You want your dog to have good feelings about the crate instead of seeing it as a punishment. Depending on the age of your dog and how long you have been crate training, your dog may be able to stay in their crate all night. This, again helps give your dog structure. They aren't allowed to roam around on their own at night.
Grooming Supplies
Lastly, you'll need grooming supplies for your dog, but that might not only mean shampoo and a brush. Different breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dogs may need to be brushed daily, while others require it less often. Similarly, one breed may require more frequent bathing than another. Some common grooming supplies you'll need for most dogs include:
- Brush
- Ear cleaning pads
- Nail clippers
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush/dog toothpaste
Having a dog is a rewarding experience but only if you take good care of your new family member. By ensuring your new dog has these five surprising things, you're giving them a leg up on their health and well-being. For more information, contact a pet store in your area to find out more about ID tags and other supplies.
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