(Along with feeding, petting, bathroom and walking ...)
If your dog is a puppy it should receive a series of three DHLPP vaccines (distemper, hepatitis, leptosporosis, parainfluenza, pa ... virus) and a Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks old. If an adult dog, it needs the DHLPP vaccine and if it never had one before it is a good idea to come back in 4 weeks to get a booster of it to build proper immunities plus it needs a Rabies vaccine, they should be done yearly (but the next year he/she would only need the 1 DHLPP and Rabies vaccines) and you should start the dog on Heartworm preventive (several types your vet can help you chose from) and continue that monthly throughout the year. Also use a monthly Flea/Tick prevention such as Frontline or Advantix. If the dog is older it should have blood work to check for any metabolic (organ) issues that may be arising.Also if the elderly dogs teeth are dirty you should consider a dental cleaning. If the teeth are not kept clean then decay sets in and bacteria can enter the blood stream and do damage to the heart and kidneys. A dog usually does not require a dental cleaning until around the age of 2 years old. Be sure to spay or neuter because it cuts the chance for testicular or uterine and mammary cancer, plus in male dogs it cuts the chance for developing serious hernias and it helps to keep them from straying since they are not interested in sex and will not feel the need to seek out a female in heat. Then a good name brand age appropriate dog food and just add love and exercise and you will be a happy owner and pet! Good luck to you!
Interact with the dog. Play with him/her. Dogs are sociable animals, they love interaction with people and love to please their owners. Give him/her a good brushing once a week, to get rid of dead fur and aerate the skin. Teach him/her what is and isn ' t bad behavior. This is just not a dog you have for entertainment, it is a part of your family an treat it as such. It gives you something that is rare among our species and that is, "unconditional love." Can you say the same? Nothing is more pleasing to a dog when its owner teaches it what is and isn't bad behavior. Your dog isn't brain dead, you can teach it to SIT, COME, STAY, HEEL, DOWN, etc . and it'll love you for this. Imagine being chained in a back yard for years on end with no interaction, with its owner. There are people that do exactly this. Imagine what the dog is feeling, an animal that is geared toward interacting with people for love, attention etc. What I am saying to you, there are other things outside of baths, feeding, petting and walking. Considering what you asked, you're caring for your dogs maintenance, but what about playing with the dog, giving it hugs, or romping around with it? It needs that too. Believe me do these things with you dog and you'll be surprised at what your dog will do for you. I hope that I have been of some help to you and your dog.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Everett
Yeah, you need the preventatives: heartworm, flea/tick stuff. Most importantly you need to be with your dog, training it .. not only the basic commands, but how to react in public, around strangers, etc. Walking is fine, but what about play time? Teaching time?
Also cleaning the ears, learning about the anal glads and if you'll need to tend to those.
Well I would learn about shots becuase not all are needed and rabies is the only thng required by law and most places reconise 3 yr intervails.
http://www.critteradvocacy.org/Canine% 20 ... I would brush rather then bathe as much as possible. I used to wash my hound monthly but it was stripping the oils from his skin so I started brushing daily. Now I only bath maybe every 3 months.
Learn about food as well.
http://www.dogaware.com/ pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Training and canine good citizen
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/
Flea medicine.
Pills/chewables for heartworms.
Spaying/neutering. Saving up money for vet bills. Etc.
