SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
Dog
Owners: Your Frequent Questions
Here are the answers to just a few of the questions most commonly
posed by dog owners.
1. What supplies do I need to have on hand before I bring
my new puppy home?
The first thing you’ll need is a travel crate for your dog’s
trip home. You’ll also need to buy some high quality puppy
food and bowls for food and water. Your vet, breeder or shelter
personnel can tell you which brands of food are the best. Other
items you’ll need to get in advance of the new puppy’s arrival
are: an adjustable collar, a leash, toys and bedding. Don’t
forget to make an appointment with your veterinarian for your
puppy’s first check-up!
2. What is crate training and how do I do it?
Crate training is a method by which your dog is taught to
stay in a crate within your house for prolonged periods of
time. This is an especially useful technique for dogs that
would otherwise tear up the house when left alone. The best
time to start crate training is when your dog is still a puppy.
Leave him in the open crate for brief periods of time at first
and then begin closing the door behind him. Make sure that
your puppy’s crate experience is always positive by giving
him treats and rewards whenever he enters the crate. Once he
is comfortable, you can leave him in the crate for increasing
periods of time - give him his meals there as well. Never use
the crate as punishment. You want your dog to feel that his
crate is a safe refuge, not a prison. Furthermore, the crate
is a place where your dog can go to feel safe and secure while
you and your family are away from home for a few hours. When
you’re home, your dog should be out of his crate and socializing
with his human family.
3. How do microchips work?
A
microchip is a very tiny device that is injected underneath
the dog’s skin, usually at the neck. If your dog is lost, then
any veterinarian or shelter can use a scanner to read the information
on the microchip and then return the dog to you. Do you need
to microchip your dog? If you are always with your dog, then
a microchip might not be necessary. However, given that the
implantation procedure is such a safe and simple one, you really
should consider it. Even the most closely guarded dogs can
get away from their owners. Digital
Angel is the company who
makes these popular microchips.
4. How can I tell if my dog has worms?
Some of the most common worms that a dog can potentially have
are: heartworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms.
All can cause internal irritation and damage to your dog, but
heartworms can be fatal. So, it is very important that your
veterinarian routinely test your dog for these. Your vet will
take a stool sample from your dog and look for worms under
a microscope. Of course, if you see what you think are worms
or worm pieces in your dog’s stool, get him to a veterinarian
for treatment as soon as possible.
5. Why should I get my dog fixed?
Unless you plan to professionally breed your dog, you should
get him or her neutered or spayed (fixed). Pet overpopulation
is an extremely serious problem in the United States. There
are just not enough homes for all of the puppies and kittens
born each year; and, as a result, over 4 million dogs and cats
are euthanized annually. Don’t let your dog contribute to the
overpopulation problem – have it fixed! Spaying and neutering
procedures are routine and pose very few health risks for your
dog. If there are no complications, your dog can usually come
home on the same day.
In addition to its being an effective pet population control
measure, spaying and neutering can also benefit your dog’s
health. If you have your dog neutered or spayed before it reaches
6 months of age, then its risk of developing certain types
of cancers and infections will be cut in half.
6. Why should I take my dog to obedience school?
Every dog should go through some form of obedience training.
Obedience training not only allows you to get your pet to do
what he’s commanded to do, it teaches you to communicate effectively
with your pet and get the best out of him all the time. Obedience
training also helps socialize your pet, as he is taught to
remain calm in a room full of unfamiliar people and dogs.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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