Understanding the dog's emotions and needs is the basis for building a strong, positive relationship between the handler and the dog. It is necessary for the proper development and functioning of a pet. Therefore, in order to enjoy the company of a healthy, cheerful, happy dog for many years, it is worth knowing its basic needs.
Of course, we are aware that every dog is different and each has their own individual needs. However, we can isolate the key elements that must be implemented and interact with each other, so that the pet is healthy, happy and can function normally.
The basic needs of a dog include:
Good health, proper functioning of the body and a great form of our pet depend to a large extent on proper nutrition. Because one of the most important elements is to provide the mentee with properly balanced food that will meet his / her needs. It is when it comes to feeding a dog that keepers make the most mistakes. We often forget that the dog's digestive system is different from ours and we feed the pet with table scraps, sweets and snacks. This is quite a mistake. When determining an individual diet, we must take into account the age, health, activity and special needs of the pet. Your dog's diet should primarily include nutrients for weight control, joint protection, skin, coat and teeth health, healthy digestion, as well as energy, mobility and well-being.
Puppies (including pregnant and lactating female dogs) need food that supports the healthy development of the brain, skeleton and eyes, i.e. a specially prepared food with a composition adapted to the energetic lifestyle of a young dog. Adult dog food (high-quality, properly balanced) should meet the daily needs of nutrients, antioxidants and micronutrients. Meals for older dogs should support the specific needs of brain function and mobility. You should also remember to provide your dog with constant access to fresh, clean water. This is especially true for dogs outside the house.
When focusing on this issue, we must take into account two factors. First, we should provide the dog with a quiet place to rest. An autonomous lair in a place where no one will bother him. A warm, safe, comfortable shelter, adapted to its dimensions, from which he will be able to observe what is happening around him. If there are several animals in the house, make sure that each one has its own resting place. The second pillar of security is the psychological bond between the pet and its guardian. This relationship should be based on understanding, trust and friendship. We should provide the dog with an orderly, thoughtful, predictable world based on clear rules, consistency and fair treatment.
Sleep plays a significant role in a dog's life. The right amount and the right quality of sleep is essential for a dog's good physical and mental condition. The sleep needs of your pet depend primarily on race and age. Smaller breeds usually sleep less during the day than large breeds. Puppies and seniors usually need 18 - 20 hours of sleep a day. In contrast, healthy adult dogs should sleep between 14 and 16 hours. Sleep time is the period when the animal's body regenerates, memory consolidates, and stress hormones decline. If we want sleep to fulfill these functions, we must provide the dog with appropriate conditions for rest, in particular comfortable, safe bedding allows it to stretch freely on its side.
The scope of dog care includes a number of treatments, both cosmetic and having a direct impact on the health of the pet. The first category includes combing, trimming the hair, bathing, trimming claws, cleaning the ears and caring for the teeth. It should be in the second systematic protection of the quadruped against external and internal parasites.
A dog's physical activity needs depend primarily on age, health, personality and breed. The size of the dog in this case may be a misleading indicator. Providing your dog's friend with the right amount of activity is essential proper functioning of the body, maintaining optimal weight, well-being, and also for his mental health and happiness. Movement makes it possible to release the energy accumulated during the day and prevents boredom. It is worth providing your pet with the right dose of fun and various types of exercises. Especially those that provide an opportunity to support instinctive behaviors such as sniffing, swimming, searching, tracking.
In addition to the physical, the dog also needs mental effort. To meet this need we can pose various challenges to the dog, teach him commands, tricks, use the skill games that support the ability to think. We can enable him to sniff, retrieve, explore new places, looking for your favorite toy. Considering the dog's predispositions, abilities and skills, we are limited only by our imagination in organizing dog play.
Pet owners know very well that every dog has a tendency to bite, this is part of the dog's nature. The real problem, however, arises when the tendency to damage becomes more and more circles, and the pet causes great damage and a mess. Therefore, it is worth taking all measures to minimize these destructive impulses. How do I teach my dog to chew?
Apporting is deeply rooted in the nature of dogs, especially hunting breeds. For quadrupeds with a strong instinct to possess objects, showing a tendency to cooperate, learning to retrieve may become a pretext for more fun, shaping cooperation and influencing the strengthening of the bond between the dog and the guardian. It is an excellent opportunity to learn new dog skills, it teaches obedience, concentration, exercises memory and strengthens the condition. So how do you teach a dog to Apparate?
Your dog won't eat? A dog's lack of appetite should always be a warning sign for the owner. Sudden discouraging from eating food can have various reasons, so it is especially important to carefully observe the pet's reaction to food and behavior at the usual times of feeding. Since a prolonged eating disorder can herald illness, a veterinarian should be consulted for appropriate treatment.
