There are some simple steps you must take to maintain your dog's health. Puppies need a first physical, a series of vaccinations, and a form of birth control to help prevent overpopulation. All dogs need an annual physical, vaccinations, and regular parasite control. Regular parasite control is critical in order to prevent major problems from minor pests like fleas, ticks, heartworms and tapeworms and other intestinal parasites. Every dog needs to learn the house rules.
Basic obedience is also important for safety reasons.
Dogs should know how to sit, stay, heel, come, wait, drop what they're holding, and look at you. Education is mentally stimulating, and exercising the brain leads to a happier dog, with no behavioral problems. A little bit of education can prevent a large number of problems. You and your dog speak two different languages. It's tough for you to fly halfway around the world and function in a city where you can't speak or read the language.