Dogs can't be your best friend unless you treat them well. To do this takes time, patience, and love. Meet the basic needs of dogs. Make sure the dog gets plenty of food and water to drink. Provide a comfortable place for him to rest. After that, you can focus on training your dog at home and teaching him some commands. Last but not least, take time to play with your dog. If you treat your dog like part of the family, he will stay loyal and love you forever.
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Part 1 of 3: Meeting the Dog's Basic Needs
Step 1. Provide your dog with fresh food and water
This basic need should not be ignored, even for a day, because your dog can get sick if he doesn't get a supply of food and water. To stay healthy, your dog needs to get fresh food and water every day. Puppies eat three times a day, while adult dogs generally only eat two times a day. Always provide fresh, clean water so your dog can drink whenever he feels thirsty.
- Choose the right food for your dog, according to his size, age and breed. Different types of dogs, different nutritional needs. Find out online about the right food for your dog.
- Make sure you buy quality dog food and do not contain any other additives. Dogs have sensitive digestive systems, so they can get sick if they eat poor quality food. Don't give your dog human food, especially fast food that is high in salt and sugar.
- Consult with your veterinarian to find out how often you should feed your dog or puppy according to their metabolic needs.
Step 2. Make sure your dog has a comfortable place to rest
Despite their relationship with wolves, dogs are still animals that can be tamed and enjoy the comforts of home, just like humans. Your dog needs a clean, dry and warm place to rest at night. Regardless of whether your dog sleeps indoors or outdoors, make sure your dog has a closed resting area with a constant temperature.
- If your dog enjoys playing outside, make sure you provide a place for your dog to shelter at any time, especially when it's raining, snowing, or the weather is getting very hot or cold. Don't leave your dog outside in bad weather.
- Many dogs love to sleep in a dog kennel that is covered by a comfortable blanket and has several toys inside. Meanwhile, other dogs prefer to sleep in a dog bed in the owner's room, or in special places in the house.
Step 3. Allow your dog to move freely each day
Like humans, dogs need to move to stay healthy and fit. As a form of 'exercise', some dogs need to move around for a few hours each day, while others only need a short walk each day. It is important that you understand your dog's needs and meet them. If your dog has high energy, make sure he can move around a lot to maintain his physical strength.
- Take your dog for a walk at least twice a day for 20 minutes, but it is recommended that the duration be longer than 20 minutes. This is important, especially if your dog is forced to stay in the house or apartment all day while you are away.
- Before walking your dog, find out if you have to tie him up. Don't let your dog run around on a leash unless the area is covered and protected from traffic.
- Dogs like to play in parks and other areas where they can run freely. However, make sure your pet is fully vaccinated before bringing it out into the open with other dogs. Diseases such as parvovirus can lie dormant in an environment for months, putting an unvaccinated dog or puppy at risk of exposure to the virus in that environment.
Step 4. Take your dog to the vet regularly
Make sure you take your dog to the vet about once a year to get the necessary vaccine shots and annual health checks. If your dog shows any signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately and take your dog to the vet for a diagnosis.
- Consider having your dog's reproductive organs surgically removed (known as neutering, or spaying for females). It is recommended by the Association for the Prevention of Violence to Animals in America (ASPCA) as a way to reduce the high population of stray dogs.
- Make sure your dog gets a shot of the rabies vaccine, as well as any other important vaccines.
Step 5. Keep your dog safe from harm
As with your child, keeping your dog safe is part of your responsibility as a dog owner. In general, this means that you must guard your dog from things that can harm your dog and take preventive measures such as always tying your dog when walking your dog, fencing your yard so your dog doesn't run away or get into situations dangerous ones out there, as well as protecting your dog from other, larger dogs.
- A microchip can help identify a dog if it is lost. There are many companies that offer a notification service if your dog is missing.
- For example, make sure your dog doesn't get into fights with wild animals by tying him up while in an area where it is required. Wild animals carry many dangerous diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis. It's a good idea to take your dog to the vet if he comes into contact with wild animals.
- Keep dangerous objects that your dog might eat from your home and yard, such as power lines. Puppies like to chew on anything that might be dangerous. A great way to keep them safe is to place them in a small protected area of the cage when you can't keep an eye on them. Use this time to teach him to just chew his toys.
Part 2 of 3: Training Your Dog
Step 1. Train your dog to litter properly
Surely you and your dog will be happier if you can take your time to practice proper bowel movements. It's important to start early when your dog is young. All puppies have a hard time at first and make mistakes when they poop, but with patience you can teach your dog to run to the bathroom door or the exit every time he needs to go to the bathroom. Reward it if your dog poops outside and manages to do it. Eventually, your dog will understand that if he needs to pee, he will immediately go outside and be more comfortable doing it outside.
Take your dog to the same place outdoors every time he needs to go to the bathroom, so that later he connects to the toilet
Step 2. Teach your dog to play gently
If your dog enjoys biting and barks a lot, you can train him to play more gently. The most effective trick you can try is to ignore it when your dog is showing a bad attitude as dogs usually bite or bark to get your attention. When you ignore it, your dog will understand that he needs to get your attention in a better way by being kinder and gentler. Give your dog lots of treats and hugs if he manages to be nice.
Step 3. Teach your dog some basic commands
For a variety of reasons, it's important for your dog to learn how to sit, act calm, or come up to you. Your dog will be more obedient to you and you will be able to take him outside more often if your dog comes to you when called. It's much safer to have a dog that knows how to sit, be calm and come when called than a dog who doesn't listen to commands at all. In general all dogs can learn these basic commands, but remember to always be patient and give positive encouragement as you train your dog. Below are some basic commands that dogs should know:
- How to sit
- How to be calm
- How to come when called
Step 4. Teach your dog some fun tricks
Dogs are good at learning tricks and teaching your dog these tricks can strengthen the bond between you and your dog. While not all dogs can do tricks like the backflip or ride a pony, most dogs can do the basic tricks, especially if they are rewarded for their success. Below are some tricks that almost any dog can do without a problem:
- Rolling around
- Ask (beg)
- Shake hands
- Pretending to be dead
- Catching things
Part 3 of 3: Have a Fun and Loving Relationship
Step 1. Be nice to the dog
If you are rude to your dog, he will be afraid of you. Just as children respect their parents, dogs respect their owners. Therefore, treat your dog with love. Talk to him in a pleasant tone of voice. Take the time to hug and caress her, and pour lots of affection on her. If your dog is being nice, give him a treat and rub his tummy. In return, your dog will pour all his affection on you.
A study has shown that dogs prefer to be petted rather than complimented. Therefore, pet your dog every day to show him how much you care for him
Step 2. Don't punish the dog
Yelling at a dog or hitting it is a bad thing. Apart from being ineffective, it was also a cruel thing. Dogs that are treated harshly will experience confusion and fear. Because they don't know what you want, they will misbehave or even tremble with fear. Never punish your dog if he makes a mistake, but reward him when he does something right to build his trust and help him do things better.
Training your dog with positive support is the best way to get him to behave the way you want him to. Reward the dog when he behaves well. Punishing will only make him afraid and feel displeased
Step 3. Take your dog to fun places
Dogs can be fun companions you can take to places you like, like parks, beaches, or just the neighborhood you live in. Just like you, dogs love to walk, so taking them for a walk you and your dog will both enjoy time together and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
- If you bring your dog in the car, open the car window so he can enjoy the fresh air. But make sure you don't open the window too big so your dog doesn't jump out.
- If you take your dog to places you like, make sure you follow the leash or leash rules and pay attention to places where dogs cannot enter.
Step 4. Let your dog socialize with other dogs
When your dog has time to meet and interact with people and other dogs, he will learn to be more friendly and open. A good way to socialize your dog is to take him to a dog park, where he has the opportunity to play with other dogs and dog owners.
