How To Care For A Large Dog

Do you have a very large dog at home? Are you thinking about getting a large breed puppy? Did you know that large dogs need special care due to their large size? Read on for all the best tips and things to consider when you have a larger dog, and how their care can differ from smaller dogs. 

Puppyhood Matters

Large breed puppies grow differently from smaller breeds of dog. Their rate of growth is much more rapid, which means that their nutrition is incredibly important during their first year. Your puppy will need a carefully balanced diet of lower fat, lower calcium, and selected protein ratios to encourage them to grow at the appropriate rate. Growing too fast too soon can put a strain on their body and cause long-term damage. Growth plates are fragile during puppyhood and can be damaged by too much rigorous exercise. Make sure you avoid certain activities with your pup that put too much stress on their growing joints, like running on concrete,  or jumping on and off high surfaces. Puppies are known for being clumsy, so think about what obstacles might be in your home. If you have a small home, or other small pets or young children, a large dog might not be the best option in the clumsy puppy stage.

Training Is Important

Training and socializing your dog is very important. Behavior issues can be a huge problem with a strong, large dog. Be proactive about training, and start working on their training and socializing immediately. If you let your large dog get away with bad behavior as a pup, they will keep doing it as they get older. In extreme cases, aggressive or anxious large dogs have to be euthanized if you can’t control them, so training is paramount. Implement calm leadership and train based on positive reinforcement to teach your dog to be calm and gentle. Expose your large dog to everything and anything they might encounter in daily life, from the neighbor’s kids to bikes whizzing by during their walk. This will help to accept these challenges and adapt well.

A Larger Dog Needs Larger Items

Plan ahead financially if you want to own a large breed of dog. Bigs dogs can easily mean big expenses to match. They need large breed dog collars, larger beds, larger crates, and larger toys. Keep smaller toys out of reach to avoid choking hazards. Make sure that any collars or leashes you use are sturdy enough to deal with a large, strong dog. Large dogs also need more space for living, and for transport, so think about what kind of car you have before opting for a giant of a dog. They also eat more food, so expect to spend more at the pet store as well. Medication at the vet and preventative medications, like heartworm pills and flea applications, can cost more for larger pets. Make sure your finances are ready for this, and your budget can cope.