Hey! To all rookie owners of Dogs, in the next few minutes you’d be educated with some important commitments you ought to make with your dog, so that you stay with a healthy partner and develop a loving relationship with her. While a dog doesn’t need as much care as a small child, she does need attention and regular care to keep her happy, healthy and well-balanced. There are many factors to keep your dog in the pink of her health. Now, if I boil it down and negate some of the all or none factors, there are broadly 5 commitments or say, factors.
#1. FEEDING: Providing good dog nutrition means you need to feed your dog regularly with enough healthy food for his (or her) breed type.All dogs are different and have different nutritional needs. However, all dogs’ diet should include a combination of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. If it does, then your dog’s needs for growth and tissue repair will be met.
#2. EXERCISE:
Studies (as well as experience) have shown that dogs who are getting adequate exercise are healthier and happier. They are also more social when they are in public places. When dogs are given regular exercise, they are more calm at home and are less restless when left alone.However, just like feeding, choosing the right amount of exercise for your dog should depend on several factors: age, size, and type of breed.
- Age: Puppies require daily exercise for proper muscle development. Their high energy levels need to be released in some form of constructive activity, and giving them their daily exercise is the best way to do it. Not being able to release their pent-up energy can lead to destructive behavior such as chewing or digging. On the other hand, a mature, aging dog needs less exercise because of their lower energy levels.
- Size: Large dogs do not necessarily need more exercise than small dogs. In fact, many large breeds like the Mastiff or Great Dane would rather relax and sit on the porch all day than go out for a 2 mile run. Nevertheless, they also need their daily exercise, perhaps one or two 30 minute walks everyday. On the other hand, many types of small breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier or Chihuahua still keep on going even after a three-mile walk.
- Type Of Breed: Your dog’s breed is also a big factor on the amount of exercise required. For instance, dogs that were originally bred to herd such as the Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie, and German Shepherd need to be exercise daily. Another example of a breed that requires daily exercise are those that were originally bred to hunt (hunting dogs). Examples of these dogs are the Beagle, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and German Hunt Terrier. And finally,sled dogs such as the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan malamute share the same high level of energy as the herding dogs and hunting dogs and therefore, need to be exercised on a regular basis.
#3. GROOMING: When all is said and done, you may not have the time to carry out these tasks or feel confident enough to do them. That’s okay – you can always hire a dog groomer… and that will leave you to find alternative ways to spend ‘quality’ time with your pooch ;-)Here’s the scoop on regular examinations of your pet:
- Coat: Look out for bumps, hot spots, inflammation, irritation, vegetative matter, and parasites like fleas and ticks in his coat. Get rid of fleas by using a fine-toothed comb while ticks can be tweezed off. Brushing doesn’t only remove mats, it also takes away dead hair, thus eliminating animal odor. Tangles can also be very painful for your dog that may lead to skin inflammation. Grooming during shedding encourages growth of new coat, so brush especially after physical exercise.
- Ears & Eyes: Your dog’s ears and eyes must also be cleaned often and watched for diseases. For example, droop ears are inclined to infection which can lead to permanent hearing loss. A damp cotton cloth is used to remove mucus from your dog’s eyes and a coarse rag is appropriate incleaning your pet’s face.
- Teeth: A dog’s teeth are very important and care is required to keep them healthy. Dental hygiene is maintained by using dog toothpaste and toothbrush with soft bristles twice a week.
- Paws & Nails: Examine your companion’s pads – dirt, grime, pebbles, chemicals can get caught that can infect his paws. You may also need to clip your dog’s nails on a regular basis. Nails should be trimmed every month, especially if your dog has a hard time walking.
Bathing: Different breeds require varying bath frequency. You can consult your Vet, an online source or a local pet grooming shop if you’re not sure how many times you should bath your dog. When bathing your pet, make sure that you brush away dead hairs first to clear all the mats in his coat. Soak your pet in warm water. Apply a pet shampoo in small amounts. Target areas are the eyes, ears, rectum, toes and under the chin. Avoid getting soapy water in his eyes and ears. You also have an option to apply coat conditioner after bathing.
#4. VET VISITS: It is recommended that you take your dog for an annual examination to the veterinary clinic. Your veterinarian can check your dog for illnesses you may not be aware of and assess his overall health. A heartworm blood test is suggested every year. Veterinarians will also check your dog for any worm infestations and will prescribe correct medication to eradicate any problem they may have with these parasites.The veterinarian can also give you advice about external parasite control. New methods for flea and tick management are always coming out. Discuss the best options for your dog with the veterinarian.
#5. TRAINING: Your dog needs guidelines to be a ‘socialized’ dog and obedience lessons will help you set those guidelines for him.
Who should train your dog? Well, you of course! But you’ll need to be trained to train your dog. That’s what effective obedience training classes do – train the owner in the correct techniques to train their dogs.
There are many dog trainers around and you need to be aware of what you want from the sessions.
Trainers and/or training books and videos can be found online, through word of mouth, the yellow pages, recommendations from your veterinarian or the humane society.
Who should train your dog? Well, you of course! But you’ll need to be trained to train your dog. That’s what effective obedience training classes do – train the owner in the correct techniques to train their dogs.
There are many dog trainers around and you need to be aware of what you want from the sessions.
Trainers and/or training books and videos can be found online, through word of mouth, the yellow pages, recommendations from your veterinarian or the humane society.
150 crore (US$29.93 million), making it one of the most expensive Indian films. Due to delays, casting took a relatively long period of time, with several of the original cast dropping out of the project. The film was shot extensively overseas, in countries including the United States and Canada, while domestic locations included Chennai and Mumbai.
Mithun 