Steps towards being a responsible pet parent

Training

• Puppies require special attention: Encourage your puppy to interact with the world around her and be open to new situations or environments. This is also known as ‘socialisation’ and involves exposing your puppy to as many new things as possible.
• Dogs who are properly trained are much easier to manage, and can adapt more easily to new training programmes. Proper dog training should ideally be started as soon as you bring a dog into your home.
• Be sensitive to how quickly your dog can learn new commands. Different breeds of dogs have different levels of intelligence and will learn at different speeds.
• Pets respond to love and reward. Teach them right behaviour with patience.
• Dog training is a process of teaching a dog to perform behaviour in response to certain commands, most commonly as sit, lie down and teaching him to relieve himself outside.
• Potty training in particular can be difficult as some dogs need a bit of time to adapt going for that outdoor. House training is important issue for puppies. Consistent and regularly reinforced rules, litter box, crate or paper training can be successful.
• Success of your dog training directly depends on your clear understanding of the dog’s nature. When the dog wags his tail it means that he is pleased with the situation and he would like to play and have fun.
• Build a strong trust between you and your dog. This does require time and energy, so do not be lazy about it. Communication is pivotal when it comes to getting your dog’s confidence.
• There is no dog too old or young to learn these techniques. Regardless of the kind of background the dog has, any dog can be properly trained.
• The most effective way to train a dog involves using treats and positive reinforcement, besides clicker can also be used.
• Pet parents and dogs who attend training class together have an opportunity to learn more about each other and how to work together under a trainer’s guidance. Training is the most effective if all those who handle the dog take part in the training to ensure consistent commands, methods and enforcement.
• Most dogs live with people who want them to behave in ways that make them pleasant to be around, keep them safe and provide for the safety of other humans and pets. Dogs don’t figure out basic obedience on their own. The fundamental rule that must be remembered is that one should never apply human standards of society onto the dog with the assumption that the dog will understand.
• The hardest part of the training is communication with the dog in a humane way that the pet animal understands.

Nutrition

• Feed your puppy a special puppy-food diet for their first years.
• Feed your dog a high-quality, nutrient-rich dog food formula that is balanced enough to ensure proper digestion. It is also best to avoid dog food that contains artificial preservatives, colours or chemical flavouring. Fresh food is always best!
• A nutritionally balanced diet, with constant access to fresh water, is must for your dog.

Grooming

• Groom her on a daily basis. Move a brush or comb through the hair of your dog, ensuring that her coat remains smooth and free of tangles. Make sure to keep her ears as well as teeth clean.
• Bathe your dog at regular interval as frequent bathing can dry out her skin and coat and result in skin infections. The best bet would be to bathe your dog once in a month. In case she gets too dirty in-between, rub her with a damp towel or wash just the paws.

Exercise

• Give her lots of exercise. Keeping her busy physically will also help keep behavioural problems at bay. Walk her at least twice a day and play with her to keep mentally stimulated.

General

• Never keep your dog tied up.
• Provide proper area for your dog.
• Dogs crave companionship and do not like to be alone for long periods. So, try to spend as much time with your dog as possible.
• Collar your dog and attach an ID to it, with the dog’s name, your name, address and telephone number written on it.
• A proper physical examination of your dog on a monthly basis is a must.
• Regular veterinarian check-ups are recommended for your pooch.

(Arun Bajpai is an artist, stylist, interior/exterior designer of villas by profession and above all a great pet lover).