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Your new dog has many stresses in his life when you first introduce him into your household. Continue with the diet he is accustomed to and then gradually change him to the food you prefer by feeding him a 50/50 solution of his previous and new foods after the first week. Increase the new food to 75 percent and if he tolerates this well, eventually move him completely into the new diet. Be sure to check ingredient labels and if you have questions, please contact your veterinarian or breeder. An additional tip is that dry food will does assist your dog in cleaning his teeth, but you may add a little wet food to his dry solution if you prefer.

Fresh water is a necessity for your new best friend. Make sure he receives several bowls of fresh, clean water daily. Stainless bowls are a good choice here because they are easy to clean thoroughly and keep sanitary. As for placement of the bowl, avoid direct sunlight. The sun can heat the water to more than 100 degrees very rapidly and no one likes drinking hot water — not even your little guy.

Short-haired dog or long-haired dog? They both need grooming. A short-bristle brush will help contain shedding in a short-haired dog but the long-haired guy needs a brush with long bristles. A good approach is to begin with the foot area, using a downward motion with the brush and continue upward several inches at a time until you are satisfied that he has no matting in his undercoat. Shampoo? Nix the baby shampoo! Instead, purchase a quality dog shampoo because his pH is very different from yours.

“No Way!” is the first expression that may come to mind when confronted with brushing your dog’s teeth. But this does not have to be a worrisome event. On the contrary, with the right amount of pats and love, it can be very rewarding for you both. Choose a brush, paste and rinse made specifically for dogs, and brush his teeth in a vertical motion. He eventually will become accustomed to this ritual and you will be saving him from the discomfort of tooth decay in the future.

Your dog needs to have his nails trimmed on a regular basis. If they become broken or ripped off, this can be a very painful experience for your little friend. If you are uncomfortable with this, by all means, take him to a groomer or veterinarian. However, if you choose to do this yourself, be advised that his nails contain a pink and a white portion. Trim only the white portion and leave some excess in order to not cut into the pink area. The pink portion contains nerve endings and blood vessels and can be very uncomfortable if cut into. If your baby possesses black nails, don’t even bother. Just take him to the groomer or the veterinarian to have those little toes pedicured.

It is imperative that you find a veterinarian that you can trust — one who will help you keep your friend in optimum health. The first time you bring your new dog home, please take him immediately to your veterinarian for his first check up. If adopted from a kennel, he will definitely be checked for “kennel cough,” fleas, ticks and probably worms. If this is your first experience with a dog, inform your veterinarian of this. He will be more than happy to share his expertise with you, inform you how often your dog needs to be checked and how to keep his vaccinations up to date. Now, your little guy is not able to tell you verbally when he isn’t feeling up to par. But if you take the time to establish a firm relationship with him, you quickly will be able to catch abnormalities in his behavior and make a quick visit with his friendly doctor. A little tip — always keep your veterinarian’s phone number and the number of a 24-hour emergency clinic in an area where anyone who is caring for your dog will be able to see it.

These are basic care issues of which every dog owner needs to be aware. Following these simple guidelines will ensure that you and your dog have a long, healthy and fun relationship.

Tags: Dogs

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