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As a new dog owner, you want to get everything right. You want to have all the answers, have the coolest toys, and plan the best pet-and-owner activities a dog could hope for. You and your new dog should have an amazing time together whether you're chilling on the couch, running through the park, or splitting a barbecued steak on the back patio. Of course, we're not born knowing how to be the perfect pet parent. That's what apps are for!
Gone are the days of guessing whether you're doing it right. With the incredibly multi-featured and high-tech pet apps available today, you can do just about everything with data-driven insights and resource centers so you never have to wonder if you're being the best pet parent. You'll know it! The key is having a highly functional phone that can tackle it all.
If your phone is on the clunky side, consider an upgrade so you can take advantage of all the info out there. Whether you’re an Apple or Android fan, look for sign-up deals from service providers. You may be able to purchase a new smartphone at a discount when you trade your old one in, and you can often pay for your phone through monthly installments. With your phone in-hand and these three key apps, you can become a fully informed and totally awesome pet parent.
ScritchSpot, Your One-Stop
This app has about all it will take to become your one-stop for answers, insights, and resources as a pet parent. Get started with their new pet owner guide to walk you through the basics, and then do some exploring. ScritchSpot can help you locate nearby pet-friendly venues, find a pet sitter or walker, it provides dog training tips and pet product reviews, and has the ability to save and share your pet's medical records. On top of all that, there is a community of pet owners to chat with, learn from, and befriend.
But perhaps the coolest part of this all-in-one app is the adoption feature. The app pairs a quick personality quiz (we've taken it, and it's great!) with shelter pets near you who might be a terrific match - just in case your first dog needs a furry friend.
Fitness, Health, and Activity with FitBark
Having a fitness tracker for your dog is super useful. As Animal Wellness points out, exercise is important to your pooch, helping him stay fit and healthy throughout life. With the FitBark app, you can know not only whether your dog is getting enough exercise, but also if he is feeling stressed, when he’s itchy or in pain, and how well he sleeps.
Even better? It pairs with your fitness tracker for tandem fitness and exercise goals, so you can stay active and data-driven together!
Train Yourself to Train Your Dog via iTrainer Dog Whistle and Clicker.
Finally, there's how to be a totally awesome trainer. There are tons of great dog trainer apps out there to train you to train your dog, but the iTrainer Dog Whistle and Clicker is one of the few that actually interacts directly with your dog. It is capable of making dog whistle sounds at a chosen frequency and comes with a variety of clicker and fun sounds your dog will learn to respond to.
Dogster explains clickers are especially useful because once your dog learns a sound, they will never be confused when the sound plays, unlike how tone of voice and inflection can send different messages for voice commands. You can also record your own sounds for custom training goals and routines.
Are you ready to become a totally awesome pet parent? These three apps are your start to a beautiful friendship. All you need to be a great pet owner is a sturdy leash, a soft bed for Fido to snooze in, healthy dog food, and your phone. And an awesome dog, of course!