Dog ownership can be rewarding, but it’s also an incredibly challenging role, too. If you’re ready to step up to the plate and adopt a dog of your own, then we’re sure you’ll love every minute of it. However, as with any new responsibility, it will take some time, effort, and understanding before you and your new best friend can begin to thrive.
Fortunately, there are a multitude of ways you can keep your dog healthy and happy regardless of his/her behavior or situation. Keep reading to learn more about how to make the most of your new pooch!
Brushing Is Important
One of the first and most important things you can do to keep your dog healthy and happy is brush him/her. Brush your dog at least once a week to get rid of excess hair and remove any accumulated dirt, debris, and parasites. If your dog sheds heavily, you may also want to vacuum your home and vacuum the dog’s bedding.
By keeping your dog’s coat healthy and clean, you will not only be helping to prevent skin issues, but also reducing the risk of other issues, such as allergies. If your dog’s coat is matted or dirty, you may develop an allergy or infections to build up in your dog’s coat which, in turn, could lead to serious problems, such as heart disease.
Walk Your Dog
Dogs are social animals, and spending time with their people is an important part of their well-being. If you can, it’s always best to walk your dog; this will help to foster healthy behaviors such as exercise, bonding, and preventing behavioral issues, such as guarding and unwanted behavior.
Feed Your Dog A Healthy Diet
Dogs require a diet that’s very different from the one you require yourself. You and your dog should each have separate food bowls, as well as foods that are appropriate for your individual needs, such as dry dog food, wet food, treats, and treats.
Depending on your dog’s age, breed, and lifestyle, your dog may require a special diet that provides nutrients and vitamins not found in other dog foods. While there are many diet options on the market, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet, as he/she may have dietary recommendations specific to your dog’s needs.
Train Your Dog
There are many advantages to training your dog. It will help to teach your dog certain behaviors, such as sitting and waiting before you walk him/her, and it will also help to prevent unwanted behaviors, such as chewing, digging, and marking in the house.
Training is a long-term process, but it’s also extremely rewarding, and it doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. You can get started today by simply practicing the skills you want your dog to learn in the next few days/weeks.
Encourage Good Habits
While behavioral issues can be frustrating, they are also an opportunity to reinforce good habits. By helping to identify your dog’s triggers, you can then remove these and help your dog learn better behaviors by using positive reinforcement training methods.
Start with small steps: every day, remove one aspect of your dog’s behavior that you don’t like. Gradually, each day, you’ll remove one more aspect of the unwanted behavior until your dog is doing nothing but the behavior you wish to reinforce.
Get A Shiba Inu Rescue
If you’ve just adopted a Shiba Inu and are looking for some guidance, or if you’re simply unsure of what to expect from your new pooch, consider getting a Shiba Inu rescue dog. There are many organizations out there that are in dire need of a loving home, and a Shiba Inu rescue will be able to answer any questions you have about your new dog and help you get off to a positive start.
Stay Cool And Comfortable
If your new poocon is a cool dog, you’re in luck because this breed is known for having a tendency to get hot under the collar! To keep your Shiba cool, consider keeping him/her comfortable; this will not only help to prevent overheating but will also help to prevent your Shiba from going into any unwanted behaviors, such as pacing and chewing, which can become annoying and uncomfortable in hot weather.
Make The Most Of Your Dog-Friendly Environment
While it’s important to be responsible with your dog, it’s also important to make the most of the environment in which you live; this includes the things you see in your home and the ways in which you keep your home.
For example, if you have a swimming pool, don’t just keep it covered when you’re not in it. You should also consider keeping open spaces, such as your patio, free from any furniture and other items that your Shiba may be able to leap onto and unintentionally hurt himself/herself by jumping off of things.
