Dog Care Essentials
Food
A small meal in the morning and evening should be sufficient. Buy a good brand of dog food, not necessarily a brand on sale, and maintain the same diet all the time. We recommend feeding the dog a combination of dry and canned food. Most of all don't overfeed and do not experiment with a variety of food brands.
If you adopt a puppy, continue on puppy food for the first 6 months then transition gradually to adult dog food.
Collars and leashes
Every dog, no matter how small, needs a daily walk or two. We use a "Sporn No-Pull Halter" with all the POA dogs. The halter goes around their neck and straps under their front legs. It gives the walker a lot of control. Plus, the dog is very comfortable and tends to pull less than a normal collar or choke chain. Other collars sometimes cause the dog to make "choking" noises when pulled.
And remember to take a plastic bag with you on the walk to pick up after your dog. This is responsible owner behavior and will keep you in good standing with neighbors.
Toys
The "Kong Toy," available in most pet stores, can entertain a dog for hours. Its hard rubber is almost indestructible and it's made to fill with all sorts of treats - peanut butter, dog food, etc. A bored dog may work for hours at getting to the goodies inside.
We also recommend owning a couple of hard rubber or tennis balls and a Frisbee for playtime and exercise.
Clean up products
Every dog will have an accident at some time. One of the best products we've found to clean up after pets is "Nature's Miracle" - a solution that's available in most pet stores. The enzymes in the solution eliminate the stain and any smell.