Before bringing a dog into your family it is important to know how to take care of

it. You need to provide for its needs, both physical and emotional. This means
providing nutritious food, clean drinking water, shelter, and the opportunity to
live in a safe home. It also means ensuring that the dog is happy by providing
ample play time, plenty of exercise, and stimulation for its mind. Caring for a dog
is a big responsibility, and dog ownership is not something to enter into lightly,
however this work will help you to successfully build a bond of love and trust with
an important new member of your family.[1]
Part
1
Feeding a Dog
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1
Feed your dog a high quality dog food. Read the label of a prospective food.[2] The
first couple ingredients should be some kind of meat, not meat by-product or a
grain. This will help you know that the food is high in good protein, not just
filler.
Ask your veterinarian for food recommendations. Your vet may be able to steer you
towards a food that is just right for your pup and he or she may also have
recommendations for how much to feed the dog.
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2
Feed your dog on a regular schedule. It is recommended that you feed your dog twice
a day.[3] Figure out the proper amount you should be feeding your dog daily, which
is usually on the dog food package, and divide that amount in two. Feed your dog
the first half in the morning and the second half in the evening.
A stable routine of feeding can also help you with house training. Dogs usually
have to go to the bathroom 20 - 30 minutes after eating.
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3
Avoid giving your dog an excessive amount of treats or people food. This can lead
to weight gain or health problems for your pet. Stick to the rule of only giving
your dog treats when you're training it. Remember, this can be hard to follow,
especially if your pup is looking at you with puppy dog eyes. However, stick to
your guns!
Don't feed your dog food that is bad for it. There are many foods that are not only
bad for your dog but that can be hazardous to its health. Do not give your dog any
chocolate, avocado, bread dough, raisins, grapes, onions, or xylitol, which is a
non-caloric sweetener.[4]
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4
Give your dog water. Food is not the only thing your dog needs to survive. Water is
just as, if not more, important. Give your dog open access to water at all times.
This doesn't mean that you have to give it access to water when it is unfeasible,
for instance when you are in the car, but if it is possible you should supply a
bowl of clean drinking water.
Part
2
Caring For the Health of a Dog
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1
Make sure you have a good, reliable veterinarian. A good way to choose a vet is to
see if he or she answers your questions promptly and knowledgeably and to see how
they interact with your pet. You will need to bring your dog for regular check-ups,
so if your vet is too booked up you may want to look for a new one. Feel free to
change veterinarians even after you take your dog to one.[5]
Remember, you should also know of an emergency vet that's open 24 hours a day and
on weekends.
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2
Get your dog vaccinated. Your veterinarian will advise you as to which diseases are
common in the area and so which diseases it is necessary to vaccinate against.
Typically, vaccinations are kept up to date with regular booster injections, which
may either be yearly or three-yearly, depending on the disease.
Most U.S. states require you to vaccinate the dog against rabies. Even if this
isn't a legal requirement, it is a good idea in order to protect your pet (and you)
from this deadly disease.
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3
Consider fitting the dog with an ID chip. This is a small microchip that is
injected under the skin over the shoulder blades. Each chip has a unique number
that is registered on a data base with your contact details. In the event of the
pet being lost or stolen, the chip is a means of matching you with the dog and
proving your ownership.[6]
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4
Use regular parasite preventative treatments. It important to treat regularly with
basic worming against roundworms. Exactly how often depends on your pet's
lifestyle. An indoor dog is at lower risk than a hunting dog of picking up worms,
and this will influence your vet's advice about how often to deworm. A low risk dog
may only need a round worming treatment two or three times a year, whereas a high
risk dog may need monthly treatments.
Also consider other risks such as heartworm.
Also use flea preventative treatments and, if you live in a tick area, use a
product that also kills ticks.
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5
Consider desexing your dog. This reduces the risk of certain health disorders, such
as mammary cancer (if neutering performed before the second season) and pyometra
(pus in the womb) in females, and aggression and prostatic disease in the male. It
is also the responsible thing to do, as it reduces the problem of accidental
breeding and pet overpopulation.[7]