How to Treat Your Dog

Co-authored by Dee Hoult

Last Updated: July 12, 2022 References

Treating your dog with love, respect, and affection is the best way to develop a strong bond with them, but if you're new to owning a dog, you might be wondering how exactly to do that. This article will walk you through everything you should do to keep your dog healthy both physically and mentally, including how to provide for their basic needs, train them, and have fun together. Keep reading to learn how to be a great dog owner and have a close bond with your furry friend.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Providing for Your Dog's Basic Needs

1
Give your dog fresh food and water. These fundamental needs can't be ignored, even for a day. Depending on their age, puppies need to eat 3 to 4 times per day. Full-grown dogs usually eat just twice per day. Fresh, clean water should be provided at all times, so your dog can drink whenever it gets thirsty.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source}
- Pick out the right kind of food for your dog's size, age, and breed. Different types of dogs have different nutritional needs. Most dog food packages detail how much food should be given daily depending on the size of the dog.
- Make sure to buy food with high quality ingredients. Dogs have sensitive digestive systems and can become ill if they aren't fed high quality food. Don't feed dogs human food, especially junk food that's high in salt and sugar. A good rule of thumb is to look at the first ingredient on the dog food package. If it is a meat - not cornmeal -- this food will be higher in those essential proteins your dog needs daily.
- Consult with your veterinarian about how often your puppy or dog should be fed to meet its metabolic needs.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
2
Make sure your dog has a cozy place to sleep. Dogs may be distantly related to wolves, but they're domesticated creatures who enjoy the creature-comforts of home as much as we humans do. Your dog needs a clean, dry, and warm place to sleep at night. Whether your dog sleeps indoors or outside, make sure it has a space that's sheltered from the elements with a regulated temperature.
- If your dog spends a lot of time outside, it needs a place to take shelter when it rains, snows, or gets too hot or cold. Do not leave your dog outside in inclement weather.
- Many dogs enjoy sleeping in kennels lined with comfy blankets with a few toys. Others prefer to sleep on a dog bed in their masters' bedroom, or in a special spot somewhere in the house.^{[3]
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  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
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3
Allow your dog to exercise every day. Dogs, like humans, need to move around to stay fit and healthy.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.} Some breeds need to exercise for hours every day, while others are fine if they only go outside a few times each day. It's important to understand the needs of your breed and meet them. If you have a high-energy dog, be sure it gets plenty of exercise.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Dee Hoult
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
- At the very least, walk your dog twice a day for 20 minutes. This is especially important if your dog has to stay cooped up in the house or apartment all day while you're gone.^{[6]
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  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
- While you are walking your dog, make sure to know the leash law in the area. Do not let your pet off-leash unless the area is enclosed and your pet is protected from traffic.^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
- Dogs love going to dog parks and other facilities where they get the chance to run freely. However, be sure your pet is fully vaccinated before taking it to an area with other dogs. Diseases like parvovirus can stay dormant in the environment for several months putting unvaccinated puppies and dogs at risk when exposed to that environment.^{[8]
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4
Take your dog to the vet regularly. Your dog should see a vet about once a year to stay updated on all the necessary shots and receive an annual checkup. If your dog shows symptoms of illness in between regular appointments, call the vet and take it in for a diagnosis.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
- If your dog has not been spayed or neutered, consider having the surgery done. It's a measure recommended by the ASPCA as a way to prevent the population of stray dogs from growing.^{[10]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
- Your dog should receive a rabies vaccination as well as other mandatory shots.
5
Keep your dog safe from harm. Part of your responsibility as a dog owner is to keep your dog safe, just as you would a child. That means keeping your dog leashed when you're around traffic, making sure your yard is fenced so your dog can't run away and get into a dangerous situation, protecting your dog from larger dogs, and generally keeping it out of harm's way.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source}
- Microchips can help identify your dog if it gets lost. Many companies actually offer services that’ll notify you if your dog has run astray.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
- For example, make sure your dog doesn't fight with a wild animal by keeping it on a leash in areas where leash laws are in effect. Many wild animals carry dangerous diseases like rabies and leptospirosis. It is a good idea to bring your dog to a veterinarian if your dog comes into contact with a wild animal.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
- Keep your house and yard free of dangerous objects your dog might try to eat, like electrical wires.^{[14]
  X
  Research source} Puppies are the most likely to chew on dangerous objects. A good way to make sure they stay safe is to place them in a small, puppy-proofed kennel area when you are not there to monitor their actions. Use this time to train them to chew on their toys only.^{[15]
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  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Training Your Dog

1
House train your dog. You and your dog will both be happier if you spend time on proper house training. It's important to start early, when the dog is still a puppy. All puppies have accidents in the house at first, but with patience you can teach yours to go to the door when it needs to be let out.^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Dee Hoult
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Reward your dog for going to the bathroom outside each and every time. Eventually, it will begin to understand that going outside is preferable to going inside.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
- Take your dog to the same spot outside every time, so it will associate that place with going to the bathroom.
2
Teach your dog to play nicely. If your dog likes to play-bite and bark a lot, you can train it to play more nicely.^{[18]
X
Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.} The most effective trick is to ignore your dog when it exhibits bad behavior, since dogs usually bite and bark for attention. When you withhold attention, your dog will realize the better way to get noticed is be well-behaved. If your puppy insists on trying to bite when you are ignoring it, simply walk away from the puppy. Reward good behavior with treats and praise.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
3
Teach your dog basic commands. Learning how to sit, stay, and come are important commands for any dog. Your dog will be more obedient and you'll be able to take it out more often if you know it will come when called. A dog who knows how to sit, stay and come is safer than one who won't listen. Any dog can learn these basic commands. Remember to use patience and positive reinforcement when you're training your dog.^{[20]
X
Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.} Here are the commands every dog should know:
- How to sit
- How to stay
- How to come
4
Teach your dog a few fun tricks. Dogs are excellent at learning how to do tricks, and teaching your dog how to do them can be a great bonding experience. Not every dog can do back flips or ride a pony, but most can do a few tricks, especially when they're rewarded with treats. Here are a few tricks that most dogs have no trouble mastering:
- Rolling over
- Begging
- Shaking hands
- Playing dead
- Fetching

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Having a Fun-loving Relationship

1
Be kind to your dog. If you're mean to your dog, your dog will become afraid of you. Dogs look up to their owners like little kids look up to their parents. Treat your dog lovingly by speaking to it in a pleasant voice, spending time petting and cuddling, and showing lots of affection. When your dog is good, give it a treat and a belly scratch. Your dog will reward you with endless affection in return.^{[21]
X
Expert Source

Dee Hoult
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
- Research shows that dogs enjoy being petted even more than receiving praise. Pet your dog every day to show your dog how much you care.^{[22]
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  Research source}
2
Don't punish your dog. Yelling at your dog or hitting your dog is always a bad idea. It's cruel and also ineffective. Dogs who get treated meanly end up confused and scared; they don't know what you want them to do, so they either act out or cower. Never punish your dog for doing something wrong. Instead, reward your dog for what it does right to build trust and help your dog see the right thing to do.^{[23]
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Research source}
- Positive reinforcement is the best way to get your dog to behave the way you want. Reward good behavior.^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source} Punishing your dog creates fear and general discontent.
3
Bring your dog to fun places. Dogs make wonderful companions you can take with you to the places you enjoy, like parks, beaches, or even just around the neighborhood. Your dog will enjoy excursions just as much as you, and taking it along is a great way to bond and have some fun together.
- If you take your dog along in the car, open the window so it can enjoy the air. Just make sure it's not down so far that the dog can jump out.
- If you take your dog along to places you like, make sure you follow leash rules and pay attention if dogs aren't allowed in a certain place.
4
Socialize your dog with others.^{[25]
X
Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.} If your dog spends time around lots of other people and dogs, it will learn to be friendly and social. A good way to socialize your dog is to take it to the dog park, where it will get a chance to play with other dogs and dog-friendly owners.
- Many dog parks are members-only, requiring pet owners to fill out an application before they're given a pass to enter the park. This is to make sure that all the dogs in the park have received their shots and prevent the spread of disease.^{[26]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I spoil my dog if they've been good?

Dee Hoult
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Dee Hoult is the CEO of Applause Your Paws, Inc., South Florida's largest privately-owned dog training company. With over 15 years of experience, Dee specializes in correcting dog behavior problems by providing engaging, positive education and non-intimidating training. Dee holds a BS in Marine Science and Biology and an MBA from the University of Miami. She is a credentialed Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and a credentialed Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Applied Behavior Consultants (IAABC). In 2018, Dee was a finalist for Woman of the Year for the Women in the Pet Industry Awards.

Dee Hoult

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Treats, play time, and some positive praise! This is why it's so key to bring treats with you everywhere you go. You never know when you're going to want to reinforce good behavior or reward your pup.
Question

How can I train my dog to stop howling?

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Osama Maghawri is a Dog Trainer and Founder of OneStopK9, a dog training service in Miami, Florida. Osama utilizes balanced training methods to teach communication between owners and dogs. He specializes in basic obedience and behavioral issues such as resource guarding, fear-based aggression, and leash reactivity. Osama also helps owners understand the behaviors of their breed and how to continue training on their own in the future.

Osama Maghawri

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Try teaching a quiet command. When the dog starts to howl, you essentially just say, "Quiet." The moment that they stop, pause for about five seconds and say, "Yes." Alternatively, you can use a clicker to mark the stop. Regardless, reward the dog for good behavior. When you do this repeatedly, you teach the dog that the word "quiet" signifies that they must stop howling.
Question

What happens if you have yelled at your dog; what should you do?

Community Answer

Give him some love and don't yell again. Get yourself a book on positive dog training.