Mabel the Rescue Dog

Guest post written by Cindy Aldridge

You’ve got the toys, bedding, and healthiest food picked out, and you’ve dog-proofed your whole house — you’re ready for your very first dog, right? Well, almost. Once you’ve got all the physical essentials figured out, it’s a great idea to find some apps to help you through dog ownership. There are tools to help you through all kinds of unexpected situations to ensure that you become the best pet parent you can be.

PetCoach by PetCo

Apps Reviewed explains this app is absolutely ideal for first-time dog owners. It offers a way for you to get free advice from certified vets, as well as nutritionists and dog trainers. Constantly needing to look up advice online can become overwhelming — not to mention the danger of finding incorrect tips from someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about. PetCoach removes that risk; no matter what concern or question you have, you know you’ll get a trained expert’s advice. 

If you need to do some research, the app is ideal for that as well. It gives you access to numerous articles with trustworthy information, making it the perfect place for new dog owners to learn. And if you have a common problem, you might not even have to wait to talk to a vet — just browse through their resolved questions so that you can immediately find an answer to your problem.

Puppr

As FOMA points out, training your dog is a vital step in ensuring a happy relationship between the two of you. But training can be challenging, especially if you’ve never done it before. Luckily, Puppr can help. This training app comes with simple step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of different commands; each step has pictures to make the process even simpler. 

And it doesn’t just teach the basics — as your dog improves, Puppr shows you how to train your dog to perform increasingly complex tricks. On top of all that, you will have access to live chat in case you have any questions, and the app even provides you with a clicker to help you use positive reinforcement with your pup.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance App

Dealing with insurance is never easy, but this app helps simplify it so you have one less thing to worry about. With it, you can upload photographs of your invoices so that Healthy Paws can immediately begin processing claims, avoiding any delays or late fees. 

Additionally, you can upload pictures of your pets, easily check the status of your claim or update your policy, and have quick access to the Healthy Paws blog, which offers a wealth of great tips and advice for first-time dog owners.

To make the best use of these apps, you’ll need an updated phone that can support them. If you’re looking to upgrade, the iPhone XS Max has a number of benefits perfect for dog parents. Its dual camera will let you take stunning pictures of your pets, it has a beautiful graphics display, and it’s powerful enough to run all the apps you need. 

If you prefer Android, the Samsung Galaxy S10 is a great choice. It has both form and function — it features high-quality graphics and a slim body but is also durable and water-resistant for up to 30 minutes in any kind of water. This makes it the perfect phone to bring along on adventures with your dog without needing to worry about causing damage. You can even use it to snap fun underwater pictures — something Puls warns will ruin most phones.

Lastly, regardless of which type of phone you choose, you need a car charger to ensure your phone stays powered when you’re out with your dog. Being caught out with a dead smartphone battery isn’t any fun, so make sure you have this important accessory with you!

Getting your first dog is an incredibly exciting thing, but it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, help is right at your fingertips. These apps are a great way to ensure you’ll always have access to professional guidance so you and your new pooch have a wonderful life together.

For more great tips and information on living a fulfilling life with your furry friend, or for a personalized comic, connect with Mabel the Rescue Dog!