| From quality time and exercise, to proper grooming, | | | | more exercise than they're getting on a regular basis. |
| medical attention and proper treatments, like Frontline | | | | A rigorous exercise program can help curb behavior |
| flea medicine, dogs have certain needs that you, as | | | | problems inside the house and make your dog (and |
| the owner will have to take care of. Make the most of | | | | you!) healthier. If you can't muster the energy to fully |
| your relationship with your pet by committing the time | | | | exercise your dog with a 5-mile run each day, look into |
| and money he requires to make sure he lives a long | | | | toys and games that will provide a physical and mental |
| and healthy life. | | | | challenge. A game of fetch, a play-date with another |
| Take a look at the big picture of what makes a dog | | | | friend's dog, a swim at a beach or lake - all these can |
| content, and figure out little things you can do on a | | | | be effective forms of exercise. There are also a |
| regular basis to make sure the quality of his life is high | | | | number of wonderful dog hobbies, like agility |
| and stays high throughout his years as part of your | | | | competitions, which can provide exercise, quality time, |
| family. Take control. Dogs have simple needs you can | | | | and mental challenge - what a great combination! |
| meet with a little time and planning. | | | | 5. General Health Care - Although it's never any fun |
| | | | for us to think about going to the doctor, it's important |
| 1. Good Training/Communication - Dogs are social | | | | to take our dog to the vet on a regular basis. The vet |
| animals and they crave leadership and structure within | | | | will make sure your pet is fully vaccinated, and check |
| the pack or family. Make sure you know how to | | | | his teeth, coat, feet, eyes and ears to make sure he |
| communicate with your dog to show him that you are | | | | continues to be in good health. These days, many |
| the leader of the pack. He should willingly do what you | | | | veterinarians also recommend a routine course of flea |
| say every time. If not, it's time to brush up with a dog | | | | and tick treatment with a product like Frontline flea |
| training manual or dog training video that will train YOU | | | | medicine. Dogs benefit from flea and tick sprays like |
| to train your pet. | | | | Frontline flea medicine, canine Advantix or Advantage |
| 2. Good Food/Nutrition - As we learned a few years | | | | for dogs, because these products reduce and |
| ago with the dog food scares and deaths, we need to | | | | eliminate uncomfortable itching due to parasite |
| keep an eye on our dog's nutrition. Tragically and | | | | infestations. Furthermore, keeping fleas and ticks off |
| unexpectedly, my Aunt Patty lost her poodle Jazzbox | | | | your dog can help prevent the spread of these insects |
| to poisoning from tainted dog food. While it may not be | | | | to you and your other pets and family members, as |
| practical for everyone to make their dog's food each | | | | well as slow the spread of contagious and dangerous |
| day, it certainly makes sense to find a brand of food | | | | diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain |
| you can feel comfortable feeding your dog. Talk to | | | | Spotted Fever. |
| your vet about ingredients and nutrition standards from | | | | If you can't do a training session with your dog every |
| the brands you are considering. | | | | day, or run him around the block, it's not the end of the |
| 3. Love and Companionship - Dogs are not play things | | | | world. However, it is important not to skip out on |
| that are content to be ignored like a bicycle in the | | | | applications of Frontline flea medicine, or whatever |
| garage or a Monopoly game in the closet - only to be | | | | product you are using. Most such flea and tick sprays |
| taken out at your convenience. Dogs want and need | | | | need to be applied monthly and won't be effective if |
| your attention. Try to schedule your day so that you'll | | | | you skip months |
| have some time to spend with your dog before and | | | | Our lives are made up of habits, and if we have pets, |
| after work. If the dog must be alone all day while the | | | | our habits should include making the time to meet their |
| family is gone, consider another animal companion or a | | | | needs on a regular basis. Acknowledging your pet and |
| pet sitter/dog walker to look in on your pet and break | | | | meeting his emotional and physical needs doesn't have |
| up the monotony. | | | | to be hard. It should be a rewarding part of pet |
| 4. Lots of Exercise - Different breeds of dogs have | | | | ownership... after all, isn't taking the opportunity to do |
| varying levels of exercise needs. However, I will go out | | | | many of these activities one of the reasons you got a |
| on a limb and say most breeds of dogs need a lot | | | | dog in the first place? |