Dog Care Tips

Feeding

• Feeding your dog the proper amount of food for his size and appetite will prevent bloating and keep him trim and healthy. Puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old need four small meals a day. At 3 to 6 months old, three meals a day is sufficient. Puppies 6 months to 1 year old are fine with two meals, and dogs 1 year and older usually require one large meal or two medium-sized meals a day.

  High-quality dry dog food usually provides all the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain health. If your dog doesn't like dry food, try adding water or beef broth. Occasional rawhide treats and dog biscuits help keep teeth and gums healthy.

Training

• For indoor dogs, house-training requires attention and dedication. Watch your dog closely during house-training. He will often show obvious signs that he needs to defecate, such as sniffing around excessively or leaving the room suddenly. When you see this behavior, take your dog outside to a familiar location and stay with him until his business is done.

  If your dog has an accident inside the house, do not punish him. Ignore the dog until you clean up the mess. Be careful to get rid of any scent of the mess on the floor, so your dog will not be able to identify it. Continue watching your dog and taking him out to the same location over and over. This will establish a routine and prevent future accidents.

Exercise

• Exercising a dog regularly will help keep him healthy and happy. If you have an indoor dog or a small yard, extra exercise is especially important. Take your dog on daily walks for at least 10 minutes. During the summer, walk your dog during the early morning and evening hours so he doesn't get overheated. Dogs are eager to please and will keep walking and exercising past the point of exhaustion. Always walk your dog on a leash if you are outside a fenced area.

Grooming

• Grooming your dog will help keep him comfortable. Loose hair can build up in his coat from shedding, especially during the summer. A regular brushing will get rid the excess hair and help prevent your dog from overheating.

  Dogs should be bathed every two to three weeks, depending on the environment in which the dog lives and the possibility of pests. Dogs infested with fleas or ticks should be bathed more regularly and checked for ticks often. Ticks carry disease and can make your dog very sick.

Health

• Get your dog vaccinated as early as possible. Many diseases, including hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus and parainfluenza, can be deadly. Combination vaccines are available that protect against many different diseases in a single shot.

  Heartworm medication is also crucial to your dog's health. Heartworms are spread from dog to dog by mosquitoes, and can be fatal. A number of different heartworm pills can be purchased from your veterinarian, and only need to be taken once monthly. You can hide the pill in food to make it easier for your dog to take.