Summary of a lesson on home economics on the topic “Caring for a dog”

How to care for a dog

Dogs are recognized as beloved and sought-after pets.
People get dogs for hunting, protection, or just for fun. The colossal variety of breeds helps each person and family choose the optimal breed, based on characteristics and temperament. When the dog crosses the threshold of the house, the new owners begin to become interested in caring for the dog. There are a number of points in care that require emphasis:

• Grooming;
• Washing the dog;
• Walking;
• Vaccination.

It is necessary to properly care for your dog, regardless of breed and maintenance requirements. Some people think that small dogs require little care; this is a common misconception. Small dog breeds have a number of characteristics and weaknesses. For example, the Chihuahua exhibits an extremely weak stomach and gastrointestinal tract in general. For this reason, the pet requires special nutrition and weight control. In addition, Chihuahuas are prone to a number of infectious diseases because they are extremely curious.

It turns out that each dog breed has characteristics and unique differences. Let's take a closer look at the care points.

How to prepare a place for your pet to live

The most basic rule of keeping a dog in an apartment is preparing a place for the fluffy one. Read in more detail about how to choose the right place in the house for a dog and train it to it. There you will find out where the dog will be comfortable and how to arrange this place.

I just want to add a little that a corner of the room is also suitable for a small dog. But for a large dog, you need to allocate more space so that the dog can stretch out to its full height. This could be part of the corridor, or a place near the closet. In any case, if you don’t know where to lay your pet’s bed, then give your tailed freedom of choice. He will determine for himself that part of the apartment where he is comfortable and comfortable.

You just have to make sure that this is not a place near a radiator or under the front door. The dog should not overheat or become hypothermic. It would be nice if your tailed one began to live near your sofa or bed. So you can caress and stroke him at any time. He will feel protected.

The bed should be soft and have sides. Soft - so that calluses do not form from lying down and so that the dog does not freeze, and with sides - since all four-legged animals like to rest their heads “on a pillow”. You need to systematically shake off wool and bristles from the bed, and also wash it to remove dust, grease and dirt.

Grooming

You should take care of your dog's coat from a young age. Puppies are not prone to excessive shedding, but have sensitive and still thin skin. For the latter reason, it is not recommended to intensively comb puppies for fear of damaging the skin or causing irritation.

Even adult dogs have thin and delicate skin. The property depends on the characteristics of the breed. For example, a Chihuahua does not require regular brushing at all, much less a haircut.

Caring for a Chihuahua dog is not difficult; the difficulties are hidden by nutrition, which requires strictness and adjustments. It is believed that the size of a dog is directly proportional to the hassle associated with keeping and caring for it. There is a rational grain in the statement. For example, the Caucasian Shepherd requires daily care for its long hair and undercoat. Caring for a massive pet will become difficult if the owner does not have the proper amount of free time.

Some people have seen how dogs care for puppies. The spectacle is wonderful and kind. Mothers carefully lick their babies and clean them up. Care also includes regular feeding. At the moment when several puppies tirelessly suck on their mother’s breast, the happy expression on the dog’s face is noticeable.

When a baby comes into a family, he wants to feel no less affection, care and love. Fortunately, people are aware of this and are trying to give as much love to their pet as possible.

It is necessary to care for the dog from the first days of its stay in a new environment. Care and affection will allow the animal to quickly get used to and relax in an unfamiliar environment.

Water treatments

Often dogs absolutely love to swim. Water procedures should be given special attention.

It happens that dog breeders are convinced that their dog needs to be washed regularly. This especially applies to owners of small lap dogs. This is a common misconception that has no basis. Dogs should not be washed frequently. Regardless of size and breed. Frequent washing has a negative effect on the animal's fur and skin.

You should bathe your dog no more than once a month. Selected breeds should only be washed when absolutely necessary. The restriction does not apply to paws that require daily washing in order to keep the home clean.

Let's note important points regarding bathing a dog:

1. If the dog has thick hair, the choice of shampoo is taken seriously. Modern pet stores offer a wide range of detergents for dogs; choose a reputable brand.
2. For washing it is possible to use laundry soap. After using it, dog hair has a characteristic smell, but the risk of skin irritation is minimized.
3. When visiting a body of water where swimming is prohibited, avoid bathing your pet. Swimming is prohibited in places where the water contains high amounts of harmful substances and waste. The effect of the poison on the animal’s body is fatal, mainly when ingested internally.
4. It is permissible to wash your dog without grooming products every day, no more than 5-6 minutes. The undercoat contains special fat secreted by the skin. The substance smells unpleasant, but the presence of secretion is necessary for the skin and fur of the animal; frequent washing has a negative effect on the condition of the fur.
5. There is no need to comb the dog after washing. You should wait until the skin is completely dry.

Simple rules will allow you to avoid difficulties associated with the condition of the coat.

Walking the dog

Grooming a large dog is time consuming. Large breeds of dogs exhibit excellent musculature and a powerful skeleton. The colossal physical potential causes the desire and need for long walks. Competition will come from small dogs, which can only be taken out for 5-7 minutes.

It is recommended to walk large dogs in sparsely populated or deserted areas. In order for your pet to grow up well-mannered and strong, you will need to pay attention to its physical training. It is recommended to take your pet to special dog training areas. It is better to visit walking areas early in the morning or in the evening, at sunset. This is explained by the smaller number of people and dogs; not all animals react adequately to each other.

Dog vaccination

Close attention is paid to vaccinations. Each animal is vaccinated on time. It is not recommended to neglect it; the risk of infection is extremely high. Particular caution applies to small and extremely curious dogs who want to try everything on the street and at home. Pets can become infected from any passing dog or feces.

Vaccinations are recommended at 2-3 months. Modern veterinary stations offer comprehensive vaccinations, instead of the usual three. It has certain advantages, but the result can be difficult for the animal’s body to tolerate. Small dogs may even lie down for a couple of days, experiencing weakness and malaise.

A pet deserves proper attention and care. You shouldn’t treat a dog like a toy; a living creature is capable of loving a family with its heart and soul and selflessly stand up for protection if necessary.

Caring for a dog: what a novice dog breeder should definitely know

How to properly organize dog care? The main points of procedures and activities that must be performed to ensure a healthy and fulfilling life for your pet.

A cute yapping pet is the cherished dream of many children and adults. Isn’t it wonderful when you are always greeted at home by a joyful and playful four-legged friend? How fun it is to play and walk with him! But having an animal in the house means not only joyful moments of communication, but also a great responsibility. Caring for a dog involves a whole range of different procedures and activities. Therefore, before you decide to “replenish” your family, you should find out the main aspects of keeping a pet.

Walk and games

Walking for a dog is not only an opportunity to relieve its natural needs, but also communication with the outside world, psychological adaptation to the street, people, other animals, as well as useful physical activity.

Thanks to this, the dog’s nervous system becomes stronger, he feels much more confident, and his behavior corresponds to normal canine instincts. The standard number of walks should be 2-3 times a day, one of which lasts at least 60-90 minutes.

You can start walking small puppies after the first vaccination, but it should be taken into account that dogs, like all animals at a small age, get tired quickly and will need to be picked up from time to time.

It is necessary to choose a quiet place for the puppies to walk, not particularly crowded, since acquaintance with the outside world should occur gradually. In cold and rainy weather, walking should be short to avoid colds and subsequent diseases.

Among the educational games, which are another component of proper dog care, you can use the following: running after objects, overcoming obstacles, hide and seek, searching for things and tug of war.

Did you know? Chocolate is a dangerous product for dogs because, due to the content of theobromine, it negatively affects the functioning of the central nervous system and also affects the animal’s heart muscle.

Grooming

It is worth noting that not only a purebred pet, but also a noble “nobleman” requires careful processing of wool. The animal does not know about the presence or absence of special regalia and is equally in dire need of the attention and care of the owner. The puppy is not yet prone to excessive shedding and has weak hair, so intensive brushing is contraindicated in this case.

Caring for a dog's coat has several stages:

• Washing – the frequency of this procedure depends on the breed of the animal. Before starting water exercise, you need to thoroughly comb the coat, and before soaping, moisten it generously with water, right down to the roots. Dogs with coarse hair do not need to be washed - you can simply comb them with a special brush or wipe them with a wet cloth. Smooth-haired dogs should be washed less frequently, using special shampoos, in water no warmer than 36 degrees Celsius, so as not to dry out the skin. • Grooming – this procedure is simply necessary for dogs with long hair. Although this is a troublesome task, it allows you to establish high-quality thermoregulation and give certain parts of the dog’s body special grace. • Trimming – used mainly for grooming rough coats. You can trim your dog only when the coat is mature enough to shed. It is during this period that the procedure will not cause discomfort to the animal, and special work to the groomer.

Combing should be done periodically, especially if the animal has long hair. You can buy a comb of the required stiffness in specialized stores .

The owner should pay special attention to the dog’s sensitive areas: near the ears, on the stomach, in the area of ​​the external genitalia. Here, comb the dog very carefully, using a special comb. Hair that is too long must be combed from the end. Well-treated wool will feel soft and uniform to the touch. There is no need to cut off the tangles - you can simply cut them from the skin to the ends of the hair and try to comb them.

Tips for Bathing a Dog:

1. You should not comb your dog immediately after a bath - the coat must be completely dry. 2. Appropriate products should be used for different breeds of dogs. For example, a crested dog, whose care is special, requires more frequent washing using an individual shampoo with a mild and gentle effect. 3. Large dogs should not be washed more than once a month. This, of course, does not apply to washing paws, especially if the animal lives in the house. 4. In reservoirs where swimming is prohibited, dogs should not be allowed to swim in order to avoid hazardous substances entering the body along with the water.

Place to eat

Another important rule is preparing the place for eating food. For this purpose, a special area in the apartment must be allocated. It must not be moved or carried. It should always be in the same place so that the dog can come up and calmly drink water if it is thirsty, and not look for it throughout the apartment.

Set up a place for eating based on the structural features of your pet. These can be simply bowls for food and water, standing on oilcloth. Or maybe a special adjustable stand, which, as a rule, is used for feeding large dogs so that their posture is not disturbed and there is no curvature of the spine.

As the four-legged animal grows, the bracket with bowls rises higher and higher. The guideline for the correct height is that the bottom of the feeding bowls should be at the level of your pet's elbow joint. It is best to choose a bowl made from stainless steel to avoid splinters or nicks.

Many dogs love to eat the provided treat in the form of trachea on the bedding, but it is better not to allow them to do this. If your four-legged dog is already used to this, then before giving out the treat, it is better to cover the bedding with oilcloth.

Walking the pet dog

Quality dog ​​care also includes regular walks in the fresh air. Especially if the pet is large and has a powerful skeleton with the same muscles. Such large breeds require a long walk. And if a little Chi Hua Hua only needs a few minutes in the air, a German Shepherd will require several hours of attention from its owner. Training is also necessary for the dog. You should teach her basic commands and accustom her to a kennel and a bowl. To get more significant results, you can turn to professional dog handlers for help.

Sleeping place for a large dog

Take care of organizing your own place for your dog.

A large pet, which is allowed to move around all rooms, will certainly touch various things with its paws or tail, break dishes, and dirty furniture.

Let the dog have a place in the hallway or corridor, from where it can freely observe everything that is happening in the apartment, and at the same time will not disturb the owners.

When arranging a sleeping place for your pet, pay attention to how the dog is used to sleeping.

The more convenient and comfortable the lounger is, the easier it will be to train your pet to spend time on it. Our online store offers a large number of dog beds for large breeds.

Stuffed mattresses and quilts are not the best solution for organizing your pet's sleeping area. A large dog can tear up such bedding and scatter the stuffing around the apartment. An easy-to-clean rug is suitable as an alternative for sleeping space.

Under no circumstances should you allow your pet to rest on upholstered furniture, and it is absolutely unacceptable to allow your dog to sleep in your bed. And it's not just that it's unhygienic. There is also a psychological factor that is important to consider: in dog packs, the leaders rest in elevated places. A dog that sleeps on the owner’s bed feels like the main one in the house and does not accept human authority.

Caring for gums and teeth

If your dog's teeth are not brushed, then food particles, proteins, and saliva will form a thick plaque on them. With the assistance of microbes in saliva, this plaque hardens over time and turns into tartar - yellowish deposits on the teeth along the edge of the gums. It provokes the development of pathological processes, destruction and loss of the tooth. Therefore, caring for your dog must include oral hygiene procedures. It is recommended to clean regularly using a special brush that fits on your finger and a special paste.

Proper nutrition is the key to a dog’s vigor, healthy and shiny coat, and strong teeth. The diet must be compiled depending on the breed and size of the pet.

Basic rules for feeding a dog: 1. Availability of fresh water in free access. The dog should drink water as soon as it wants, especially in hot weather. Dehydration is much worse than hunger. 2. It is advisable to feed your pet on a schedule, at the same time. This will allow you to determine the amount of food needed per feeding and will accustom the dog to a certain regimen. Free feeding (when there is constant access to food) is fraught with obesity. 3. The food must contain high quality ingredients. You can alternate factory food with homemade dog food, but in moderation.

The owner must visually assess the condition of the animal - if the dog is exhausted and its ribs are visible, then there is clearly not enough nutrition. If the ribs cannot be felt under the skin, then you should review the diet and reduce portions.

Teeth cleaning

Proper and regular care of teeth and the condition of the oral cavity in dogs will help to avoid various pet diseases (infectious and inflammatory processes in the gums, plaque and tartar).

After eating, dogs, like people, form a film on their teeth containing many bacteria. If it is not removed in time, the thickness of the film increases, it becomes deformed, acquiring a solid shape, and subsequently forms into tartar.

Many dog ​​owners are interested in how long dogs live, whether they can be kept with cats, why a pet licks its paws, how to choose vitamins for it, why a dog barks, how dogs are mated and whether they need to sterilize their pet.

Dangerous pathogens, entering the gum tissue, can cause inflammatory processes and provoke damage to tooth roots. Tooth loss occurs due to the destruction of the jawbone, which can be prevented if you regularly and properly monitor the animal’s oral hygiene.

It is easier to accustom a puppy to brushing its teeth than an adult dog, and this is done as follows: from time to time you need to lightly massage the pet’s gums with a finger moistened with water, after a week or two you can do this with a drop of special toothpaste.

Once your dog gets used to your hands in his mouth, you can switch to a special dog toothbrush. Ideally, you should take care of your dog’s teeth every day, but if time does not allow, then this procedure must be performed at least 2-3 times every 7 days.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to brush your dog's teeth with toothpaste intended for cleaning human teeth. The pungent smell, taste and its foaming properties can cause nausea in your pet.

Medical procedures

In order for the animal to live as long as possible, it is necessary to take care of regular veterinary care. The doctor performs a physical examination and takes blood and stool tests.

What your dog needs: • Regular deworming, tick and flea prevention. • Receiving mandatory vaccinations – against rabies, hepatitis, distemper. • Castration or sterilization, which helps to avoid unwanted pregnancy and problems with the behavior and health of the animal.

But the most important thing in caring for a dog is showing love and care for it. After all, even very tasty food and the best shampoo cannot replace warmth and affection for your pet. Therefore, before you decide to take such a step, you should decide whether you are ready for another full-fledged family member to appear in your home?

Taking care of a pet - how to care for a dog: instructions for beginners

Before you get a dog, it is important to know how to care for it. Caring for a pet is a big responsibility, because it is a full-fledged member of the family.

And he needs to satisfy not only physical, but also emotional needs.

It is necessary to ensure not only healthy food, drink and safety, but also to make his stay happy.

Here are four basic rules of nutrition.

1. It is necessary to feed the dog only high-quality food or natural food that is balanced in composition. The diet should include meat , not by-products or grains.
2. You need to feed regularly , it is recommended to do this twice a day. The instructions for the food indicate the daily intake for a certain age. It needs to be divided into two feedings. It is advisable to feed at the same time, and after 15-20 minutes go for a walk. The pet gets used to the routine and calmly awaits feeding and walking time.
3. Do not overfeed or give food from the table. This can lead to obesity and health problems. Give treats only during training. There are foods that are dangerous for your pet: chocolate, baked goods, raisins and grapes, onions.
4. A dog needs to drink - water is important for the pet’s life and should always be freely available.

Prepare in advance for the arrival of a dog in the house

If you are choosing a dog for a child, and not for yourself, we still recommend waiting until the child is 7–8 years old . At this age, he can already partially take on the care of the pet, be more conscious about the issues of its upbringing, and ultimately derive more benefits for himself, for his own development.

Before getting a dog, discuss your areas of responsibility with your child and ensure that he takes part in walks, grooming and training . Watch training videos and visit friends who already have pets. Discuss precautions when communicating with an animal, explain the meaning of the signals that the dog gives, and teach how to recognize its true emotions. For example, you should not disturb a dog while eating or sleeping, you should not force it to follow commands, you should not pull its tail or ears, and you should not insist on petting when the animal refuses it.

Physical activity

The temperament of many dog ​​breeds requires a regular release of energy.

1. Walks. Any dog ​​should move a lot and play outdoor games, and the duration depends on the breed. For example, a Labrador needs intense walks of 30 to 45 minutes twice a day. If a dog doesn't use up its energy, it can cause behavioral problems such as chewing clothes and shoes, digging, or barking excessively.
2. Workout. It is important to teach your pet basic commands: sit, stay still and come when called by the owner. Training should last about 10-20 minutes twice a day and end with encouragement. You can reward them with something tasty for each correctly executed command.
3. Socialization . It is important to introduce your puppy to foreign sounds, people or animals from an early age. Then in the future the pet will not show fear. If it already exists, then you should gradually accustom the dog to what it is afraid of.
4. It is advisable to put tags on the collar or attach a keychain with your home address. This will give confidence that the dog will be returned home if it gets lost.
5. Instincts inherent to the breed - they need to be developed. For example, if a dog is a hunting dog, then it needs conditions where it will search for something by smell.

It is recommended to walk your dog twice a day.