A happy and healthy life for your dog

Every stage of a dog's life is different. What should you pay attention to? And what can you do to check if your dog is healthy? We have some important tips for you.

A happy and healthy life for your dog

Do you have a puppy?

Puppies are like little sponges. Everything is about learning and they soak up everything they experience. It’s important you provide a role model in their lives. Your puppy will learn the most from adult dogs that set a good example. We expect a lot from our pup. We want him to listen and we want to do fun things together. But before you can have fun together, you have to get to know and trust each other first. Building a bond and becoming friends for life, that takes time! When your dog is still a puppy, there’s a lot you need to do. You need to know everything about nutrition, upbringing, care... If you can rely on advice and guidance, for example from your dog's breeder, that's great. You can’t rely on your breeder? Don‘t panic! Our experts from the Prins CareTeam are ready to give you free and good advice. The CareTeam helps owners of dogs in every stage of their life together.

Read 20 smart tips about raising your puppy.

Do you have an adolescent dog?

Before you got a dog, you may have envisioned yourself taking lovely walks on the beach with your four-legged friend. But that romantic image is often quickly shattered. No dream team, no nice walk on the beach at all, often not even a relaxed walk around the block. Your dog doesn't listen and seems to like everything better than he likes you. Congratulations, you have a teenager! Puberty is a difficult stage of life for your dog. He grows in all directions, the hormones are raging through his body and the bananas seem to grow in bunches from his defective seeming ears. Dogs in this stage of life often end up in the shelter. It is important to stay calm and be patient. Breathe in, breathe out... This period will pass by! Don’t emphasize what your teenager doesn’t do well, but focus on what does go well. Reward him for all the desired behavior that he shows, even if that behavior seems very natural. After that mad rush, when he’s working on your nerves, does he finally lay down quietly? Reward him for it: "Well done, that's a nice way to lie down! Because remember: everything you give attention to, grows.

In this article we will help you with tips for your adolescent dog!

Do you have an adult dog?

Then it all seems so obvious ... Your dog just belongs in your life. But make sure that this belonging does not become to indifferent. Keep investing time and care in your dog and offer him more than just a bowl of kibble and a walk around the block. He deserves that! You will notice that your dog is your mirror. His behavior reflects your emotions and feelings. In other words, he often holds up a mirror to you. Is he very busy? Maybe you are stressed yourself. You can influence each other back and forth. Do you want a calm dog? Stay calm yourself. A nice dog? Go do fun things together! Time flies when you’re having fun! Without noticing it, your dog will get older and older. Maybe he needs a little more care, or it’s time to adjust his meal. Learning new things will keep him young. For example, teach him hand gestures, such as a gesture for "come here" and a raised thumb for "good girl. Then you can continue to communicate with him when he may not hear you as well later.

A fun activity to do together? Play volleyball with your dog!

Do you have a senior dog?

Senior dogs often hear and see a little less, so they can no longer respond as well to your language and the language of other dogs. They become stiffer and more rigid and may need extra help to keep moving well and smoothly and to stay healthy. Their skin becomes more tar and more vulnerable, something you should take into account when caring for their coat. In short, senior dogs deserve extra care, attention and more understanding. Senior dogs can often still smell and feel well into old age. Pamper them with a sniffing game, a comfortable bed and a warm dogcoat to protect their old bones or support them with a nice massage. Your older dog will eventually become a little puppy again. He becomes more unrestrained in his behavior, may become untrained again and cannot be left alone at home. It's up to you to guard your dog's quality of life. There’ll be a time when you have to let go of him.

We will be happy to tell you more about caring for your senior dog.

Is your dog healthy?

Whether he’s young or old, make it a weekly routine to give your dog a complete checkup. Saturday Together Day, for example! A healthy life begins with a good understanding, so do the health check! And if you come up with questions about your dog, in every one of the different stages of life, don’t hesitate to contact our Prins CareTeam!