A-Z of pooch love and care

417

Agility

A mentally-stimulating dog sport in which a dog handler directs a dog through an obstacle course. A perfect showcase of man-canine co-ordination through voice, body and movement!

Bed

Your pooch’s bed is his personal space – get him a warm, cosy bed according to his size with washable covers. Keep his bed clean and put it in sunlight from time to time to deodorise it. Gift him a comfy lil’ space of his own!

Chewing

Pups love to chew to explore new tastes. They sometimes chew to relieve pain and discomfort due to teething. At times, they just chew out of boredom, anxiety or stress. Poor nutrition can also make him chew. So, give him a well-balanced diet and invest in some good chew toys for him.

Deworming

It is very important to deworm your pooch from time to time, not just for puppies but also for adult dogs as well. Puppies should be dewormed at the age of three weeks. Consult your vet and get a deworming schedule designed for your beloved pooch. A must for dog care!

Eating habits

Develop healthy eating habits in your pooch right from the start. Feed him a well-balanced nutritious diet as prescribed by your vet. Feed him dog food only; do not give him table scraps. Let him eat right – today and all tomorrows!

Food bowl

Choose a food bowl according to your pooch’s size, breed and health condition. Metallic bowls are preferred over plastic bowl as plastic bowls can harbour bacteria. An elevated bowl will be a good idea for large dogs and those suffering from back problems. And you thought your pooch’s food bowl is just a bowl!

Grooming

We all know the benefits of grooming – it makes them look good and keeps them healthy. The ideal grooming routine should include brushing, bathing, conditioning the coat, drying, nail clipping, cleaning eyes and ears, etc. The frequency of bath would depend on your pooch’s breed and his living conditions. So, spruce up your pooch today!

Home

Dog proof your home to avoid dangerous situations for your pooch. Stack away all medicines, keep poisonous plants at bay and all those electrical cords far away. Give your pooch a nice cosy place to rest and never leave him alone outside. Your home is his haven – make it one for him!

Inflammations and infections

Dog ear inflammations and infections are common ear problems to watch out for.

Jumping

This is one of the common problems pet parents face. Discourage your dog when he jumps to welcome you. Fold your arms and look away. Do not look at him, touch him or talk to him. Simply ignore him. He will get the message that you do not like his behaviour. Next time, when he welcomes you without jumping on you, reward him with treat or praise.

Kibble

Dry dog food or kibble is balanced and complete with all nutrients good for feeding your dog daily.

Leash walking

Whenever you take your dog out, put him on a leash as this curious boy can wander around, chasing things which may or may not be within his reach. So, walk him on a leash! Make sure his leash is long, so he can sniff to his heart’s content.

Mental stimulation

A pooch needs to be mentally stimulated to be happy. Give him toys to play, take him out for walks, let him exercise or romp in the garden. Love him, pamper him, and keep boredom at bay!

Noise

Your pooch is very sensitive to noise; keep him away from loud noise.

Obesity

Like us, pooches too can become obese, which in turn can cause various health problems. Consult your pet and get a proper diet and exercise plan for him. Keep him in shape!!!

Play time

Pooches love to play games like fetch, hide and seek Frisbee, etc. A wonderful way for you to exercise and bond with him too!

Quality time

You are the centre of the world for your pooch, spend good quality time with him – groom him, take him out for walks, play with him or just be with him….

Routine vet check-up

Prevention is always better than cure. Take your pet for routine vet check-ups to diagnose any problems beforehand.

Spay/neuter

Spay/neuter your pet unless you wish to breed from him/her. It not only prevents from unwanted pregnancies but also is good for their health and behaviour.

Training

A well-trained pooch is a delight for all. Training should start right when the pup enters your home. Obedience training is a must for all pet pooches. U

Unconditional love

When you have a pooch or more in life, you are blessed with their unconditional love, they are there with you, no matter when and what happens. Bask in this love as this is precious!

Vaccination

The wonders of vaccination cannot be undermined. It can protect our pooches from several life-threatening diseases like canine distemper, hepatitis, rabies, etc. Consult your vet for the proper vaccination schedule for your pet.

Woof

One of the ways for our pooches to express themselves is through their woofs. But you can tell the difference between a woof and incessant barking. In case your pooch barks non-stop, consult his vet to find the underlying problem.

Xtreme loyalty

Dogs are loyal beings; their loyalty has been tried and tested over the time. It’s time we need to reciprocate their loyalty too – never ever think of abandoning your pet, try to figure out a solution for your problem. Love him and be loyal to him!

Yummy treats

Use delicious mouth-watering treats as a reward for your pooch; but never overdo them. They should not be a substitute for food and should be accounted for the total calorie intake of your pooch to avoid excess calories.

Zest of life

Pooches are your best friends; they add value to your life…making it more meaningful and putting a zest in your life. Woof! Welcome to another year with the love(s) of your life!!!

https://www.dogsandpupsmagazine.com/
https://www.dogsandpupsmagazine.com/