While many people prefer large dog breeds, some people are drawn to the smaller, portable ones. But when it comes to being the best pet owner, it doesn’t matter which breed you own, but how well you take care of them. If you happen to be looking to adopt small dog breeds or already have one at home, below are some of the best tips on how to care for miniature-sized canines.
Understand the Characteristics of your Small Dog Breed
This is the first thing you need to do as soon as you make your choice on the breed you want to adopt. Even if they may be of the same build all canines have distinct characteristics. Some are better with kids and strangers and other pets at home. While there are others that will bark at the sight of unknown faces in the home.
Having knowledge about your pet’s traits will also make it easy for you to attend to issues such as feeding, grooming, and how best to make them comfortable at home. This link https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/ways-to-make-your-pets-comfortable-when-home-alone/ has more on how to ensure your furry companion stays comfortable while home alone.
Dog Food is Different from Human Food
Most pet owners make the mistake of feeding their furry companion the same meals as other members of the family. While there is nothing wrong with occasionally passing them a treat from your plate, it is wrong for dogs to eat human food. You want to get a healthy pet product from a reliable brand manufacturer with all the nutrients that your dog needs to grow healthy. They have to contain the right mix and nutrient proportion to assist with healthy development.
You want to research the best diet for your dog breed and make sure it doesn’t contain additions that will cause problems for their digestive system. In addition to food, you want to also make available clean water for hydration and to help with digestion. While tap water may not be a bad fit for canines, you want to make sure that it doesn’t contain any chemicals that may affect them negatively.
Grooming is Essential
Both large and small dog breeds need proper grooming. This means that you will have to make time at least twice weekly to give them a good bath and maintain their coat too. You will need to invest in grooming products that are right for maintaining their specific coat type and also do well to avoid toxic chemicals in the grooming ingredients. You will also need to make sure you clip their nails and brush their teeth twice or thrice weekly.
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
A visit to the vet every three or six months is ideal to maintain proper health and wellness for your pet. Even though they are in good health, you will still need to do this. For one, your small dog breed can’t speak for themselves when they need medical assistance, so it is up to you to make sure that they are healthy. And you can be quick to detect a health challenge quickly and act on it if you check with the vet occasionally. You should speak with your local vet to know more about how best to schedule regular meetings for your pet.
Small Dog Breeds Need Exercise Too
Exercise is an important aspect of the canine lifestyle. So you want to make sure to get out at least once a week to help them stay in shape. While they all need this to stay healthy, their exercise needs will depend on factors such as their age, health needs, and specific breed. Ideally, if you have space in your backyard, 30 minutes of exercise daily will be a good suggestion.
But if you live in an apartment where this can’t be done regularly, dog parks will be a good option for your pet to socialize. Another good option is to visit nearby parks to help them exercise. You can take off the leash for a few minutes and have them run around to stay fit. Doing this regularly can help them stay in shape and prevent joint and muscle aches.
Train your Dog to Be Better
All dogs require training if you want them to be well-behaved. And it is best to begin this as soon as you adopt them. It will be easier training a puppy to learn basic commands and how to live together in the home than an older pet. So it may be best to check for ways to train your specific breed. While you have the option of employing experts to trainers to help out, it may be best to do this yourself.
The fastest way to do this may be to introduce rewards such as treats for when they get it right. It is best to take things slow, but you want to make it a regular activity if they will learn anything. You can check this website for some dog training tips.
Consider Neutering and Chipping
If you plan to have just one pet without the ability to breed, you want to consider neutering to make them live longer and reduce any aggressive temperament. When done properly, neutered dogs last up to three years longer than those who don’t undergo the process. And many dog owners claim that it has helped with their temperament.
You want to also consider a microchip to help locate your dog when they get missing or stolen. A small investment in these procedures could prove helpful in making sure you enjoy having a small dog breed at home. And you don’t have to worry much when they go missing.
Bond with Your Pet
You will only love hanging out with your dog if you guys share a bond. And this could be the easiest thing to do. From spending time and doing things together to rewarding good behaviors with treats, you can find it could have a big impact on how well you guys bond. And you want to avoid being abusive or leaving them on their own always as it could cause them to react negatively towards you.
Final Note
When it comes to caring for small dog breeds, health and wellness top the list as you want to ensure that their mental and physical health is assured. Feeding them the best diet, training, and outdoor exercise time can do a lot for their well-being.
Also, checking with the vet regularly can help with ensuring they don’t develop any conditions that may be challenging to treat later on. You can always research for the best food, grooming, and training techniques that are specific to your breed so you know how to make it work.