#1. Make regular visits to the vet
By taking you dog for regular checkups you can monitor their health and make early detection of any health problems or diseases that they might develop. During your pet's annual exam the vet will usually check their teeth, eyes, ears, heart, skin, and overall physical health. Some vets may also conduct blood tests, x-rays, and skin scrapings for a further in-depth look into your pet's health.
It is also important that your pet be fully vacinated at all times. It is also important that you pet remain up-to-date with their vacines throughout its lifetime. Keeping these vacines up-to-date will help to prevent your pet from contracting such viruses and illnesses as Parvo Virus, Canine Distemper,Rabies, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). You should also be sure to keep your pet on a flea/tick/worm treatment througout the year.

#2. Check those ingredients!
You may think that you are treating your dog well by making sure that their belly is full at feedings, but in actuality it may be causing them harm. Many cheaper brands of dog food that you see at your local grocery store are not made with top quality ingredients. Many of these are made with low grade meats and are loaded with fats and/or salt, which of course is not good for you dog's body.
You might ask youself why your dog is obese, unactive, experiencing itchy skin or rashes, or vomiting often. In many cases it can be due to the food that they are eating. Just like humans, animals need to eat nutritious meals that include low amounts of salt, fats or byproducts (aka filler).
For the benefit of your dog it is best to avoid cheap brands of dog food and to make an effort to purchase a more high-end brand. These high-end foods are made with high quality meats and ingredients which are easier for your pet to digest and will help to provide them with more energy, a shinier coat (fur), better teeth, and overall better health.

#3. Exercise your dog
While you may think that your dog doesn't need much activity, you are wrong. It is important that your dog get as much activity as possible during the week. Getting your dog out for a walk or playing fetch burns much of their excess fat and keeps their muscles toned. This can allow them to remain active well up until they are a senior. Frequency of activity should be judged by breed, size of the dog, and their age. For example, a Doberman Pinscher requires a high level of activity everyday, while a Pug will require much less. Do not exercise your dog right after a large feeding as your dog may develop a condition called "bloat". This is when the stomache of the animal flips, preventing digestion and gas release from occuring. This condition is severely life threatening and animals experiencing bloat require immediate medical assistance.

#4. Have your pet spayed and neutered
It is very important in being a responsible pet owner to ensure that your pet is spayed or neutered when it reaches the appropriate age. This is approximately at 6 months of age. Spaying or neutering your pet helps to control the pet population and can lead to better health for your dog. Spaying a female dog will prevent her from going into heat which will be less stressful on her body. It is a common misunderstanding that females should have one litter prior to being spayed in order to "even out her personality, settle her down, etc..". This information is false and females should be spayed once they become of age. Having male dogs neutered may help to prevent roaming, strong scent of urine, mounting (aka "humping"), and dominant behavior.

#5. Necessities and Behavior
It is essential to provide any pet with the necessities of life:
- Food;
- Water;
- Shelter;
- Medical care; and
- most importantly, LOVE.
It is also important to be sure that you socialize your puppy as well as ensure he/she receives lots of positive attention from humans. Keeping an animal locked or caged up or outside at all times, not only leaves them bored and depressed but also brings out bad behavior such as constant barking, chewing, and destructive behavior. Puppies/dogs that display this behavior should be given more attention in order to encourage them to behave in a positve manner.