Bringing a new dog into your family is as excited as it is nerve-wracking. Will the dog get along with me? Will they have weird habits? Will they be happy?

Rest assured that while there are many unknowns when adopting a dog, we're here to set your mind at ease! There are a number of firm do's and don'ts when it come to dog ownership and we want to make sure you're doing right by your new furry friend.

We've outlined the major considerations for feeding, exercise, and general pet care below so that you can feel at ease when caring for your newest family member.

The Dos and Don'ts of Dog Feeding

Without a doubt choosing your new dog's food is one of the most important aspects of his care. Dogs are no different than people in that, they are what they eat!

It's important to focus on providing your dog with quality foods and sources of nutrition to maintain a healthy weight and longevity. This doesn't mean that you need to be up at the crack of dawn preparing your pooch an handmade meal, in fact there are lots of quality dog food companies out there that provide top-notch nutrition.

So what are the main do's and don'ts when it comes to your pets feeding and nutrition? Let's dive in.

• DO provide a balanced diet

• Whether this is fresh cooked, raw, dehydrated, or a combination focus on quality ingredients for optimal health.

• DO provide fresh water daily

• You don't like drinking old water and neither does your dog (they can't tell you that but it's true).

• DO introduce new foods gradually

• Dogs are just like us, new foods can upset their stomachs. Make any dietary changes slowly.

• DO use slow feeder or puzzle feeders

• Puzzle or slow feeders can turn meal time in to a mentally stimulating activity for your dog. In addition, it lengthens the time it takes them to eat, which is good for their digestion.

• DON'T feed dangerous foods

• Foods like grapes, onions, chocolate, cooked bones, and xylitol (an artificial sweetener) are toxic to dogs.

• DON'T forget to wash your dogs bowls

• Always make sure that your dog's bowls are clean by washing them daily to avoid bacteria buildup that can make your dog sick.

• DON'T over or underfeed

• Dog foods provide feeding guidelines, so follow these and make small adjustments based on your dogs weight and health status.

• DON'T let your dog eat too quickly

• Meal time is exciting but eating too quickly can cause health issues like vomiting, choking, or bloat which can be a serious, even life-threatening condition for dogs.

The Dos and Don'ts of Training

Dog training is thought by many to be something that only a professional trainer can complete, but there are lots of easy ways to provide training for your dog at home. Despite what many think, that training is too restrictive for your dogs and takes the fun out of having a dog, it's actually the opposite!

Training your dog can be a great way to bond with your dog and get to know them better. In addition to that, training provides your dog many more opportunities to interact with their environment. For example, dogs who behave well on a leach typically get to go more places with their guardians and have a more fulfilling life.

So let's flip the narrative that training is restrictive and identify the ultimate list of the to do's and to don'ts when training your dog.

• DO employ positive reinforcement

• Rewarding your dog when they do the right thing is much more effective and healthy than disciplining them when they do the wrong thing.

• DO make training part of your routine

• By setting expectations with your dog around your training, you let your dog create a routine and be able to anticipate and look forward to training activities. Keep your training activities varied to keep your dog engaged and eager to learn. Ensure to incorporate praise and treats as teaching tools.

• DO socialize your dog early an often

• Dogs are pack animals and its in their nature to socialize with others of their kind. It's rewarding to them and provides mental stimulation.

• DON'T punish your dog during training

• Negative reinforcement can create anxiety, fear, and in some cases even aggression in dogs. Redirection is the better way to handle behaviors you don't want to encourage.

• DON'T complete marathon training sessions

• Just as a child has a limited attention span for one activity, so do dogs! Opt for shorter, more frequent sessions than trying to train a behavior for an extended period.

• DON'T overwhelm your dog

• Some dogs need increased time to process commands during training. Be patient with them. Allow them time to process and complete the command before saying it again or moving on to a different command.

The Dos and Don'ts of Caring for Your Dog's Health

While food and training are also part of your dogs health, there are certain aspects of their physical health that deserve mention. By adopting your dog, you've agreed to look after their physical, mental, and emotional health in order to keep them a happy and healthy dog.

They can't easily tell you when something is bothering them and it takes a long time for them to show pain, in some cases, so keeping them in tip-top shape is important!

• DO brush your dogs teeth regularly

• Think about not brushing your teeth for your entire life... your gums would be inflamed and painful and you would lose teeth to infection. Make sure brushing your dogs teeth becomes part of their daily routine.

• DO regularly have your dog seen by their vet

• Have your dog seen regularly by a professional to give them a physical exam, check their vitals, and even do routine bloodwork once then get older. These visits let you catch any problems early on.

• DO consider pet insurance

• Pet insurance is quickly becoming more mainstream but is something that not many dog owners think about. Ensure you have appropriate veterinary insurance coverage for all your pets. It's a literal life saver in the case of an emergency when treatment might otherwise be too expensive. Ensure you have appropriate veterinary insurance coverage.

• DO care for your dog's nails and coat

• Proper hygiene depends on your dog's breed and coat type but generally commit to regular baths, nail trims, and grooming.

• DO use pet safe cleaning supplies

• Dogs can absorb chemical through their paw pads so be sure to use pet friendly surface cleaners in your home to avoid toxicities.

• DON'T miss signs of discomfort or illness

• Always pay attention to your dogs appetite, sleep patterns, activity levels, elimination habits (that's right, be sure to check their poop!) as changes in these can be indicators of problems.

• DON'T forget to protect your dog from parasites & pests

• Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites can all affect your dogs overall health. Make sure that you are being preventative against these pests to keep your dog healthy and disease free.

• DON'T forget to trim your dogs toenails

• Even have a bad pair of shoes that just rubs your foot the wrong way? That's similar to what it's like when your dogs toenails are too long. It puts pressure on their toes and causes repetitive trauma to their paws.

• DON'T leave your dog in a car unattended

• There are always exceptions to rules, but be very cautious about leaving your dog in a car, especially in warm weather. Heat stroke can happen very quickly and can be deadly.

• DON'T forget a collar and tag

• You never know when your dog might slip away from you, even unintentionally. Make sure to have an identifier on your dogs collar including your current address or phone number. There are even GPS collars if you find your dog is a runner.

The Dos and Don'ts for your Dog Activities

We're not saying that your dog has to have a full social schedule or anything... although wouldn't that be nice? What we are saying that that keeping your dog physically and mentally active can have a huge impact on their health and well-being.

Yes, dogs that just want to snuggle with you on the couch are cute, but just as with people, dogs are made to move! When you become a dogs guardian, you also agree to look after their physical and mental health, so what are the do's and don'ts for your dogs daily activities?

• DO provide daily physical activity

• Beyond the obvious benefit of keeping your dog at a healthy weight, daily activity is great for their mental health as well! Even if it's just a short walk in your neighborhood, it should be a priority.

• DO let your dogs sniff on walks

• We experience the world primarily through sight, our dogs do it through smell. In fact, taking a short walk and allowing your dog to smell as much as they is a great way to stimulate them mentally! You can even teach them to chase specific scents for added fun.

• DO play with your dog

• Dogs are pack animals and are inclined to engage in group play. While tug-of-war with their favorite toy may seem like it's you vs. them, they see it as a collaborative activity. This makes play a great bonding activity.

• DON'T overexercise puppies or senior dogs

• Puppies little furry bodies are still developing and extended or high impact activities can affect their growth. On the opposite end of the spectrum, senior dogs may not have the stamina they had when they were younger.

• DON'T neglect mental stimulation

• Whether it's puzzle toys, scent training, or even hide-and-seek, make sure that you're giving your dog brain games to keep them sharp and praise them for their success!

• DON'T isolate your dog

• Make sure that your dog is exposed to new people and situations routinely to encourage them to be a well-adjusted and adventurous dog. Isolating them can often lead to behavioral problems like anxiety or aggression.

Putting the Pieces Together

Caring for a dog is an extremely rewarding activity. After all, there's nothing quite like coming home to a dog that's so happy to see you they can hardly contain their excitement, ensure to give them the praise and treats they deserve! But with these particular great rewards, come great responsibilities.

We owe it to our furry companions to give them their best life and a large part of that is creating a healthy and fulfilling environment for them to exist in.

We hope that these do's and don'ts have given you some ideas on how to improve and your relationship with your pup and make sure to tell them we say hello!