Sunday, March 23, 2014

Essential Items That Every Dog Needs

By Garrett McMahan


For those about to add a dog to their families, you might be wondering about what your dog needs. There are a few items that every dog needs, and these essential products will help keep them healthy and safe. The following suggestions are a just a few things every dog needs.

The people who run pet stores are great at offering millions of cute little products that pet owners love, but few of them are truly essential components of animal care. Sure the sweaters and beds and toys and myriad of other gadgets are fun and cool, but they typically have a high price tag. In the beginning, you really just a few items to get started.

Dogs have to eat and drink, so get a set of bowls for your new pet. They also will need a suitable collar and also a leash. You will find no shortage of dishes at the local pet store, but you also can certainly supplement with dishes from home. What's more important than the dishes is what goes inside them. Be sure that one dish is always clean and filled with clean water. For the other dish, you need to select a good food that provides plenty of nutritional support. At first, it's usually best to stick with the food your dog currently is eating and change it out gradually if you wish, but talk to a trusted veterinarian about the best food to suit your dog's size, breed and health.

For the collar, you need it to be snug enough to stay put but not so tight that it is uncomfortable. Many owners prefer using a harness to a neck collar, and this can be a good option for a dog with a slender neck such as a Greyhound or perhaps a dog breed prone to breathing difficulties such as the pug or the bulldog. For your leash, it simply needs to be sturdy, strong and long enough to be comfortable for you and your dog when you go out on a walk. Just be sure to place the dog's license and name tag on his or her collar or harness, as these are valuable bits of information.

Beyond these supplies, another highly important investment would be an obedience training program. Training truly should be one of your first considerations when you get your dog. Sometimes people simply wish to bond with an animal and feel training will inhibit the bonding process. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Training actually secures the bond and helps the dog understand what you expect, and you get to spend time together training which helps you both understand each other's temperaments. In addition, if your dog is untrained, they could be a danger to themselves or others. You need to feel comfortable that your dog will sit and stay, as well as not run away and come when called. Otherwise, they risk coming in contact with vehicles and even other animals that could cause them to become injured or even killed.

Training definitely can seem a bit daunting, so rather than try to figure it out on your own, consider purchasing a dog training system such as The Dog's Way. These handy dog training videos make it easier to fit lessons into your schedule. The set includes 12 easy lessons as well as a workbook containing "homework" assignments, helpful self-assessments to gauge your progress and reminder cards that you can take to the park and out on walks. You also can access a special website that includes lessons on how to resolve many common behavior issues.




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