Dog Care

Dog Care

Caring for a dog can be a tiring and overwhelming task. Using the right tools at the right time can make the job easier. That is why it is important to buy the right dog accessories. There are lots of things that you need to buy for your dog. Here are a few things that are on your list.

Leash and Collar

Finding a good leash is important. There are a number of options. Most dog owners opt for the basic nylon web leash. These dog leashes get the job done. If you are training your dog, your dog trainer will recommend that you buy a cotton web leash. These leashes come in longer lengths and are made of cotton so they do not burn your hand. For casual dog walking or outings with your dog, a retractable leash works great. The most popular brand is Flexi retractable leashes. Quality-wise, Flexi is about the best you can find. There are other brands of retractable leashes available that come with other features such as a flashlight for walking your dog at night.

The right collar or harness is particularly important. Most dog owners will find the traditional collar sufficient for walking while others choose to use a harness for better control. If your dog is a strong puller and you find walking your dog to be extremely difficult, there are products that can help. Premier makes a training tool called the Gentle Leader. This product successfully stops a dog from not just pulling but also lunging and jumping out of control. There is also a product called No-Pull Halter that has a patented design that eliminates dog pulling as well. What it does is uses the same technique that horse trainers use where it uses under leg straps to irritate the dog’s armpit if it pulls. Because of the number of products available that successfully eliminates dog pulling, it is unnecessary to resort to a choke collar of any kind.

Housebreaking

Housebreaking a puppy can be the most frustrating training for new dog owners. Puppies require patience and attention during this tiring period. Most owners simply use newspaper to absorb urine. While it seems to do a decent job of soaking up the urine, it is not helping the owner train the puppy at all. Using specially designed pads, such as Wee-Wee Pads can help speed the process tremendously. Each pad is designed to absorb the urine more efficiently as well as help promote the use of the pad. The scent of the pads encourages the puppy to use them. While housebreaking a puppy, using the proper cleaning tools can be very important. The original cleaning solution, and still the best, is Nature’s Miracle. This product uses enzymes to eliminate any lingering remains of urine so the dog won’t go back there.

Dog Crates

Dog crates are important to dogs as they satisfy their natural instincts for shelter. They are not cages and dog owners should not feel any guilt when leaving a dog in their crate. Long ago, dogs lived in dens for safety at night. Crates simulate this effect providing your dog it’s own personal space. Using a crate also effectively assists in housebreaking a puppy and eliminating destructive chewing. If you are purchasing a crate to transport your dog, plastic crates are useful. Choose one that is airline approved in the case that you would be transporting your dog by plane. For a more permanent crate to leave at home, steel wire crates are most durable and more pleasing to the eye. Be sure the crate is the right size for your dog. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lay down in the crate. A too small crate will be uncomfortable physically while one that is too big will be uncomfortable psychologically for a dog.

Dog Bowls

There are a number of dog bowls to choose from. The popular ones are plastic, ceramic and stainless steel. Plastic dog bowls are inexpensive but do not last long. Dogs sometimes chew on their bowls so plastic bowls are a temporary solution but not recommended for long-term dog use. Ceramic bowls are made with attractive colors and fun prints. The only con to them is that they can break if dropped. Stainless steel bowls last long and are all-around good to feed your dog with. If you choose to get a stainless steel bowl, you should get a non-tip design. They are made so that it is impossible for your dog to tip the bowl and usually have rubber on the bottom so it is also non-slip. If your dog is particularly tall, a dog bowl stand is recommended. These allow you to raise two bowls that sit into the stand so your dog does not have to bend down to eat.

Fleas and Ticks

When it comes to fleas and ticks, it’s always best to prevent them than have to deal with them. There are a number of alternatives to the traditional flea collar. The most popular ones are the monthly drops you place between the dog’s shoulder blades. Companies such as Frontline and Advantage used to have prescription-only applications but now sell them over the counter at pet retailers everywhere. Some dog owners use brewer’s yeast and garlic supplements for dogs. It is said to be a flea repellant but there hasn’t been any real studies on it. If you find that your dog does have fleas or ticks, there are shampoos that you should use to remove them. Also check your house for them before they multiply. There are flea and tick sprays and foggers that can be used for the house.