| Owning a dog is a great responsibility. First and | | | | thoroughly, as not doing so may irritate his skin. Aside |
| foremost, you must take care of your dog and | | | | from washing, it's also advisable to clip his claws and |
| attend to its needs. You do not expect the dog to | | | | brush his teeth. |
| jump into a tub and take a bath - you take the time | | | | Dogs also love regular exercise, as it keeps them |
| and effort to groom him. Your dog will not hunt or | | | | healthy, alert, and happy. Taking him out for early |
| scavenge for its own food - you will need to buy | | | | morning walks or playing fetch with him in the park |
| dog food, prepare it, and feed it to him. Patience is | | | | on the weekends is a great way for him to stretch |
| crucial to your dog's emotional health - he ca not | | | | his legs, and you to de-stress, as well. Regular |
| learn to behave overnight. Remember, you're the | | | | exercise will keep him, and you, free from illnesses |
| boss, and your dog needs you to guide him. | | | | caused by sedentary lifestyles, not the least of which |
| Your dog's health is top priority. He needs the same | | | | is obesity. |
| basic nutrients that we do, such as carbohydrates, | | | | When training your dog, give him time to adjust. |
| protein, and fat. Many commercial dog food products | | | | Stretch your patience, since it takes considerable |
| contain these nutrients. To know which dog food is | | | | time before your dog understands what you want |
| best for your pet, check the nutrition labels. A | | | | him to do. Also, it's important to be consistent - do |
| balanced list of nutrients is good for all types of | | | | not pet him when he jumps on the couch, then scold |
| dogs, while dog food with higher levels of protein | | | | him the next time he does it. With patience and |
| may be more suitable for active dogs. It's also safe | | | | consistency, you'll be surprised to find that he'll one |
| to feed dogs table scraps, such as lean meat, poultry | | | | day understand every word you say. |
| and fish, fruit, and vegetables. Don't feed him from | | | | Finally, show some love. Dogs love being petted, |
| the table though, or else he'll develop a bad habit | | | | talked to, and played with. However, it's important |
| when he gets bigger. | | | | not to pamper him too much, since this might give |
| Grooming is also important. Washing him keeps his | | | | him the undesirable notion that he's boss and not |
| coat free of dirt and dead hair, and should be done | | | | you, and may start bossing you around when he |
| twice a week (more or less depending on preference | | | | does. Show some tough love and scold him every |
| and climate conditions). Use warm water and a good | | | | time he does something wrong. Don't worry - dogs |
| dog shampoo to kill fleas, lice, and ticks, but make | | | | love pecking orders, and once he recognizes you as |
| sure to avoid the eye area - use a damp cloth to | | | | his pack leader, he'll be willing to follow you to the |
| clean his face instead. Also make sure to rinse him | | | | bitter end. |