Dogs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and breeds; therefore, care will be different from one dog to the other. Because dogs naturally have pack-like instincts, they need plenty of time to socialize with other dogs or the people that surround them on a day-to-day basis. Not only is it important for dogs to socialize, they need to exercise on a daily basis. Exercise helps keep dogs healthier by stimulating their brains, preventing destructive manners, and burning the calories they consume throughout the day.
Generally, puppies should be fed four meals a day up until 12 weeks of age, three meals a day for 3 – 6-month-olds, two meals a day for 6 – 12 month old, and one meal a day for dogs over a year old. Dogs can be housed either inside or outside but should always have a dry, warm/cool, safe, and comfortable place of their own. Depending on the breed, dogs may need to be groomed and brushed on a daily basis to prevent tangling and shedding. On another note, it is important to provide your dog with some type of identification that can be used to find the owner in the case that the dog becomes lost. A collar with a tag containing a contact name, number, and/or address is generally used by most owners.