The last thing you want when you bring your new dog home is to add stress to his new environment. Diet is paramount here. If you choose to change his food, please do so slowly. Continue to feed him as usual for the first week then gradually reduce his old food to 50 percent of the old content and add 50 percent of your choice to his diet. If he does well on this, then follow up the next week with a 75/25 percent ratio. Eventually, he will be able to tolerate the new diet with no complications. Check out ingredient labels prior to changing his diet — verify that he is receiving the needed nutrients. If questions arise, contact your veterinarian or breeder for verification. Wet food is an option but keep in mind that dry food does a better job of cleaning his teeth. Consider a mixture if this is what he prefers.

Naturally, your little pal needs fresh water — a lot of it. Change the water frequently in his bowl and take care where you place this resource. Shade is a better option because the sunlight can cause the water to heat up rapidly. As for bowls, stainless is probably the best option because they are super easy to clean and therefore, more sanitary.Short-haired dog or long-haired dog? They both need grooming. A short-bristle brush will help contain shedding in a short-haired dog but the long-haired guy needs a brush with long bristles. A good approach is to begin with the foot area, using a downward motion with the brush and continue upward several inches at a time until you are satisfied that he has no matting in his undercoat. Shampoo? Nix the baby shampoo! Instead, purchase a quality dog shampoo because his pH is very different from yours. “No Way!” is the first expression that may come to mind when confronted with brushing your dog’s teeth. But this does not have to be a worrisome event. On the contrary, with the right amount of pats and love, it can be very rewarding for you both. Choose a brush, paste and rinse made specifically for dogs, and brush his teeth in a vertical motion. He eventually will become accustomed to this ritual and you will be saving him from the discomfort of tooth decay in the future.If you choose to trim your dog’s nails yourself, you need to realize that his nails contain a pink area and a white area. Be sure to leave a fair amount of white area when trimming. The pink area is very sensitive and contains blood vessels and nerve endings. If you cut into this segment, an “ouch” is sure to follow. If you are blessed with a dog that has black nails, just take him to the veterinarian or groomer to have his nails trimmed. This task is beyond most of us simply because we don’t really know where the nerves and blood vessels are located. Finding a veterinarian that you and your dog both like and trust doesn’t have to be a hassle. Word of mouth is a good option as well as the advice of the breeder or kennel where you purchased your dog. Take him in for his first visit immediately to be checked for “kennel cough,” fleas, ticks and worms. Don’t hesitate to inform your veterinarian if this is your first dog — he will be delighted to give you all sorts of great information. Keeping his vaccinations up to date is imperative and regular check ups will ensure good health for his future. Try to keep note of any unusual behavior — he cannot tell you when he isn’t feeling well. Establishing a good, trusting relationship is key to observing when he isn’t just quite up to snuff. Always post the phone number of the veterinarian and a 24-hour emergency clinic in an obvious area of your home so that whoever is caring for your pet will be able to take advantage of this if the need arises.These are basic care issues of which every dog owner needs to be aware. Following these simple guidelines will ensure that you and your dog have a long, healthy and fun relationship.