Training Yourself to Be a Good Dog Owner

People spend thousands of dollars having their dog trained to do exactly what they want, when they want. One thing many people don’t think about though, is whether or not they’ve trained themselves to be good to their dog. Being a dog owner is a much bigger responsibility than we consider, as the fifteen to twenty years you spend with that dog translates to an entire lifetime for them. Our pet retreat offers dog training services to help you be a better pet owner. Making sure they don’t spend time too much time alone when you’re away is one major quality of life change owners can make. Our dog daycare in Waltham MA helps with that and more! Here are some additional things to consider as a dog owner which will directly benefit your buddy.

Ensuring Your Pets Health with Our Pet Retreat & Spa

Many modern breeds of dog have been bred for their most valuable features, but a by-product of this are the potential health problems specific to each breed. Beyond simply getting your puppy its shots and taking it for annual or bi-annual visits to the vet, we should be conscious of their health. This can start even before you have the dog you want. Reading up about the potential health problems facing the breed you have or are interested in can give you the means to ensure their health.

There are also several tell-tale signs of a dog’s health:

• Their coat – depending on the breed it should feel and look a certain way, and react to the seasons appropriately.
• Their mouth – a dogs oral hygiene is similar to our own, if you see anything in your dog’s mouth that would concern you to see in your own, have it checked out.
• Their personality – we all know when our dog is acting normal, if their behaviour ever seems to change overnight it could be a sign of something serious.

For more tips on keeping your pup healthy talk to your vet about what they might suggest.

Giving them the Best Possible Diet

Dogs, especially labradors, are known for eating or chewing up almost anything they can get their mouth on. Many of us are guilty of feeding our furry friends from our plate, but their main diet should be consistent and healthy for them. Investing in a high quality dog food will not only benefit their gut health, but also their coat and their happiness. Feeding your dog a low quality dog food will result in expensive vet trips and supplements to alleviate their discomfort.

Here is what to look for in a high-quality dog food:

• Low in sodium – many cheaper brands of dog food are high in sodium which can affect their hydration and in extreme cases lead to sodium ion poisoning.
• Contains real proteins – good dog food should have real chicken, fish, duck, beef, eggs, or liver in it as the whole protein.
• Pay mind to the vitamin profile of foods that you give your dog.

Dog foods which utilize a “Science Diet” are the current best options available, but again if you’re unsure about which to get, contact your vet.

Exercise them Correctly and Regularly

Depending on the size of your dog, they will need to be walked a certain distance each day to maintain their normal bodily function. Although some breeds require a lot more of a workout than others, for example a greyhound should be encouraged to run each day. Do your research into what kind of exercise suits your dog and make the time to achieve it with them often.

Here are some easy ways to exercise them:

• Take them for a walk around your neighborhood – this can not only help familiarise them with their home, but also help them to meet your neighbors and make everyone more comfortable.
• Let them run free at a dog park – if socialized correctly from a young age your dog will know exactly what to do around other dogs, and will come back when tired, hungry, or ready to go home.

Our Pet Retreat is Located in Waltham MA

Every year we’re learning more about the complex nature of dogs and our relationship with them. Some things have become abundantly clear though, like the realization that dogs are deeply social creatures that love meeting other dogs and people too. Socializing your dog from a young age can not only help prevent anxiety common to some breeds, it can also make them generally happier. Taking them for walks gives them a taste of the outside world, but dog parks or doggy daycare centers are where the true magic happens.

Here are some ways that The Dog Retreat & Spa can help give your dog a happy and social life:

• Boarding and Lodging – when you need to leave your dog for a period of time we have great facilities to host them and will make sure they feel as loved as when you’re around.
• Daycare – our indoor and outdoor parks are a wonderland for dogs of all sizes to play, roam, and socialize while you’re at work.
• Spa – who doesn’t love a spa day? Our dog spa will groom, massage, and generally pamper your pup.

So if you’re looking for a pet retreat in Waltham, MA, The Dog Retreat & Spa are ready and waiting to receive your furry friend.