Get to know their breed, particularly any hereditary traits that they may be prone to. Get to know what their gums, teeth, tongue, eyes and ears look like, and how their tummy feels when they are well. Get to know and respect their likes and dislikes: cuddles, heat, toys, exercise preferences etc. And finally get them used to being handled and groomed early on too, make life easier for everyone. Socialise them appropriately with other dogs and people, lots of different noises and environments.

It is widely agreed that pets are sentient beings. As well as basic needs to keep them alive, their overall wellbeing is dependent on physical, mental and emotional stimulation. Make sure they are well exercised, appropriate to their breed, and match exercise and games to what they are bred to do.

Challenging and using their brains can be as exhausting and enjoyable as physical exercise, and can reduce levels of stress and anxiety. Using interactive toys and trick training can be great ways of doing this, and can be useful for those rainy windy days when nobody wants to go outdoors! Another option is to do snifari walks, letting them read those wee-mails left by other doggos, or even scent work and tracking.

Just like humans, you want to steer away from highly processed foods and treats as much as possible. The more varied diet, the better, this helps to ensure gut flora richness. If your budget or lifestyle limits your food choice, then just try to include the following 3 things to their dried food:

Oily fish, tins of sardines or mackerel for example, which are     cheap and plentiful in our supermarkets.

A handful of colourful berries and assortment of vegetables, blanched or chopped finely.

Raw eggs…. including the shell…. and mussels.

You can also use natural supplements to develop strong digestion, and help support them through the aging process.

One of our priorities should be to understand when our pet is well and what should be considered out of balance. Establishing a good diet goes 90% towards a strong, healthy immune system but there are other important things to keep in mind:

• Teeth: Our dogs use their mouths for everything so good dental hygiene is extremely important. Regular brushes or water additives are advised to prevent plaque build up. Choose to use appropriate chews that naturally scrape and clean the dogs teeth (not processed dental sticks that are predominantly sugars, like cleaning teeth with a lollipop!).
• Flea & Worming: There are plenty of effective products to help protect against fleas. and worms. Whether you choose to use medicated or natural methods, it is important to keep up a regular routine.
• Grooming: It is important to keep your dog free from matts and for some breeds that involves regular trips to the groomer. Ensure you are brushing your dog regularly, giving them occasional baths with dog friendly shampoo.