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All the Most Common Questions About Dogs!

4 minutes
Whether you're thinking of adopting or just got your first dog, it's good to know the answers to some basic questions about how to care for dogs. We're here to help!
All the Most Common Questions About Dogs!
Last update: 15 July, 2019

Whether or not you have a dog, you probably have lots of questions about how to care for and treat them. This might be because you’re thinking of adopting one, or because you’ve just got your first dog. Well look no further, we have the answers to all your questions about dogs, to help you to be a good owner!

If you’re thinking of adopting, go for it and you won’t regret it! If you already have a dog, you might learn a few new things, too. Whatever your situation, keep reading and let us know if there’s anything we’ve missed!

The most common questions about dogs

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Some people say you should feed your dog once a day. Other people say two or three times. At the end of the day, it’s your dog’s weight that determines how much food you give it. You should see some helpful tables on its food packaging.

Once you know its weight, you can figure out how many ounces of food it needs. Then you just have to decide whether to spread that out over two or three meals, or just one a day.

What’s the worst dog food out there?

There are lots of different dog food brands out there. Some are cheap, some are expensive. We wish price didn’t determine the quality, but it often does.

A more expensive brand might cost more because they put more research into it, and have more workers to pay. It really is worth it, too. There’s a lot of research that shows that a dog with a quality diet throughout its life tends to be healthier and happier.

So, go talk to your vet and ask them to tell you about all the nutrients your dog needs. Then go find a brand of food that has all those elements on it.

What do I do about reproduction?

Most animals don’t fall in love, they’re just acting on instinct. So, if a male dog sees a female in heat, it’ll jump on her without thinking twice. This is part of the reason that dogs can overpopulate, and why there are so many strays in some places.

Whether you have a male or a female, your best option is spaying or neutering if you don’t want any puppies on your hands.

How do I train it to do what I want?

Training your dog to do its business outside, not chew on your things, and not jump onto the bed or couch can be really difficult. The only truly good way to train a dog is through positive reinforcement. 

Shouting, punishments, and hitting are absolutely unacceptable when it comes to training a dog.

Our tip is to start out with small things and be patient. You can teach it bigger things as time goes by.

Should I treat it as another member of the family?

The answer to this one is a bit trickier. Yes and no. You want your dog to feel like it belongs, and like it has a home and a family. It might help to think of it in the sense that children always have to listen to their parents. In the same way, a dog should have that relationship with everyone in the family.

You want your dog to feel like it’s part of the family, but it also has some special rules it needs to follow.

Should I buy it clothes?

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Dogs have fur to protect them from the cold and heat, but in some cases it can be good to buy a sweater for the cold, or trim its fur for the heat (but only depending on the breed). It can also be good to buy it a thin blanket for its bed if you have a cold house.

As you can see, there are a lot of questions about dogs that a vet can help you answer. There are also lots of myths, so in some cases it’s best to let professionals guide you.

If you have any more questions, don’t be afraid to ask your vet! No one is better prepared to give you the answers you need to make sure you’re caring for your friend as best you can.

Always remember to treat your dog with love and care, whether it’s your first or your fifth!

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.