Owning a dog is a fantastic way for you to bring your family closer together. A family dog could give your children the chance to take on extra responsibility. It could also help you to get out of the house more and to commit to your exercise regime. Not to mention, the endless amount of affection and entertainment your furry friend will provide. However, owning a pet is no easy matter. There are so many factors that you need to consider. Below are six tips that will guide you through the process.
Make sure that your whole family is ready for a dog
Before you make any rash decisions, it is important that your entire family is ready for a dog. Try to make this decision before you even talk with your little ones. You don’t want to get their hopes up if you are only going to disappoint them. Most children will claim that they are ready for a puppy, but as a parent, it is up to you to have the final say. You need to think about whether or not your children help with the household chores. This is a good indication of whether they are likely to help you care for the dog, even after the initial excitement of a new arrival has worn off. You should also look at how your youngsters treat other people’s animals. If they are calm and respectful, this is a good sign. However, if they are slightly too boisterous, it might be a sensible idea to wait a few years.
Teach your kids how to treat your new dog
Even if you are satisfied with the way that your kids treat other animals, it is still important that you teach them how to treat your family pet. If you are trying to train your dog, why not get your kids involved in the process? This will give them a sense of pride if they are able to get your puppy to sit, fetch, or lay down. It will also help any nervous family members to feel more confident around the new arrival. If you have a large brood of different ages, you should also speak with your older children about protecting your littlest from the dog. Ideally, you should never leave a baby or toddler alone with an animal. However, if you happen to step away, it is vital that your older children will keep an eye out for anyone putting their fingers near the dog’s mouth or chewing on any of its toys.
Keep your dog clean and healthy
Another important step is to keep your dog clean and healthy. Not only will this protect your family pet, but it will also protect your loved ones. Why not set up a specific grooming space for your furry friend? You could also hire a professional groomer to give your dog a haircut every few months. This will stop its coat from becoming matted and dirty. You should also invest in an Advecta treatment plan. The plan will help to keep your pet free from fleas, flea eggs and larvae, and chewing lice. Taking these precautions will help you to feel more comfortable about having a dog in your home and letting it spend time in close proximity to your loved ones.
Make the most of your opportunity to exercise
If you are eager to get fit and healthy in the New Year, your family dog can help you to do this. In fact, you could get all of your loved ones involved. Why not make an effort to go out on a weekly family hike? This is a brilliant opportunity for you to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. It is also the perfect chance for you to give your beloved pet the exercise that it needs. You could also try going on a nightly jog with your dog. Or, if your pooch is capable of keeping up, you could go on a cycle. The most important thing is that you are working out while taking care of your pet. It really is a win-win situation.
Get your dog into a sleeping pattern
If you have just got your children into a set sleeping pattern, you may shudder at the thought of going through this process again. However, if you are going to do right by your family dog, you will need to make sure that it is going to sleep at the right times. This is especially important if you are dealing with a particularly needy puppy. You don’t want to run the risk of your entire household being kept up by whimpering and scratching. That is why you should think about investing in a dog crate. It’s a great way for you to provide your pooch with a sense of security whenever it is left alone. You should also make sure to wear out your dog before you head off to bed. Why not let it run around your backyard or have a game of fetch with its favorite toy? Then, by the time you retire, your dog should be more than happy to have a rest.
Establish a meal plan
Finally, you should establish a meal plan for your family dog. This is a great way for you to stay on top of its eating habits and to protect its health. Once you have created your meal plan, you should pin it on your refrigerator or the family noticeboard. You need to make sure that all of your loved ones can see it and endeavor to stick to the rules. It is vital that no one is secretly feeding your pooch naughty treats or sneaking it extra portions. This could result in your dog becoming spoilt, disobedient, and overweight. Why not coordinate your meals so that everyone is eating at the same time? It will help to ensure everyone in your family is on the same page.