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CARING FOR YOUR DOG
A GUIDE FOR NEW DOG OWNERS
ACCOMMODATION:��� Your dog is now part of the family.� Give him his own special place in the house and provide a bed somewhere free of draughts and near the centre of family life, without being in the way.� At times when you need to leave your dog outside the house he must have access to suitable shelter which in most cases means a properly constructed kennel of suitable size.� It must be both waterproof and windproof with a wooden floor raised from the ground. � Never allow your dog to sleep on concrete for any length of time, even in summer. � Protection from the heat is also necessary.
DOGS AND CHILDREN:��� Young children must always be carefully supervised when around animals.� They must learn never to tease the dog but to treat it kindly and with respect.
FEEDING:��� Most adult dogs thrive on commercially prepared foods, but at the same time they do enjoy some variety.� Follow feeding instructions on tin or packet, and acertain your dog's ideal weight, as like people, dogs differ in their dietary needs.� A 'stew' of cooked meat with added rice and vegetables is nourishing and economical.� All dogs need access to a little grass which they eat from time to time to maintain their natural digestive balance.� A bowl of fresh water must always be available.
IMPORTANT:�� Never feed your dog raw sheep meat or raw offal of any kind.� Everything that comes from the inside of an animal carcass, such as liver and heart, must be well cooked, preferably by boiling, before being fed to a dog.� This is a legal requirement to prevent the dog from becoming infected with the hydatid tapeworm which can seriously affect humans.� Most dogs love a bone, but avoid cooked bones and never give dogs chicken, chop, fish or rabbit bones.� The only safe bones are brisket and big raw beef shank bones which do not splinter.
DE-SEXING:��� An unspayed female dog can produce two litters of puppies a year,� Large breeds have big litters maybe 10 or more at any one time.� They make a lot of work, cost a vast amount of money to feed, and finding homes for them all is difficult, often impossible.� Un-neutered male dogs make up the largest proportion of impounded dogs.� Be a responsible dog owner and have your dog de-sexed as soon as it is old enough - around 6 months of age.� You will improve its health, minimize aggressive behavior and the tendency to roam.� You will have a far better companion and you will also help to alleviate the stray dog problem.
EXERCISE:��� The daily outing is the high point of your dog's day.� Suitable exercise for his size and breed is essential for his physical and mental wellbeing.� It is your 'together time' for play and socialisation and its good for you, too.
OBEDIENCE TRAINING:��� This is a gentle means of giving a pup or dog the guidance it needs to prevent the development of unacceptable behavior.� It is a constructive, progressive process which is good fun for both dog and owner.� Basic obedience training is the key to having a well behaved dog.� Once trained, the dog is more controllable, more dependable and happier in itself as it has a better idea what is expected of it.� The effort is small but the benefits last a life-time.
DOGS IN CARS:�� Dogs love riding in cars, but on a warm day the temperature in a parked car can reach danger level in a matter of minutes, even with partially opened windows.� With only hot air to breath, your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or death.� Don't kill your pet with kindness. � On hot days, leave him at home.
Emergency Treatment:��� If your dog is overcome by heat exhaustion you must lower his body temperature immediately.� Get him into the shade and apply cool water all over his body.� Let him drink small amounts of cool water and get him to a veterinarian quickly.� It could save his life.
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YOUR DOG'S HEALTH:
Vaccination:��� As a puppy your dog should have been fully
vaccinated against Distemper, Parvo Virus, Hepetitus and Kennel Cough, but he still needs
a booster each year so an annual visit to your Veterinarian is advisable.
This annual visit is a good opportunity for a check of your dog's teeth, skin, ears, eyes and general health.� It is also a chance to talk over any concerns you may have.� Your veterinarian is your dog's best friend.� Keep his telephone number handy.� Some common problems are:
Worms:��� Adult dog's rarely suffer from roundworms but tapeworms are common.� They appear as tiny live white worms on the droppings or on the anus under the tail.� Dead segments look like small dry grains of rice and may also be found in the bedding.� The hydatid tapeworm is too small to be seen with the naked eye and is acquired only by the dog eating raw offal.� It is advisable to dose your dog with a broad-spectrum wormer every six months.
Skin Troubles:�� Often caused by fleas but sometimes by allergies and/or diet.� Many dogs have an allergy to milk so if your dog develops skin trouble or diarrhoea, and you are in the habit of giving him milk on a regular basis, try removing it from his diet.� Treatments for skin problems are as varied as the causes.� Seek veterinary advice.
Ringworm:��� Is not a worm at all, nor even a parasite, but a fungus infection that attacks the hair follicles and spreads quickly.� Seek veterinary advice.
Teeth:�� If your dog's breath smells the reason may be due to the formation of tartar on his teeth.� Your veterinarian will check this for you.
Ears:��� Ear mites are responsible for canker which causes dogs great suffering and may lead to permanent ear damage.� The dog shakes its head and carries it at a different angle.� There may be discharge and loss of balance.� Seek prompt treatment.
Grooming:��� Some dogs require more bathing than others so do this only when necessary.� Daily brushing and combing will help to keep your dog clean and comfortable.� If your dog has a long, heavy coat, daily care is essential.� Keep a watchful eye on his nails as they grow quickly if your dog runs mainly on grass.� Your veterinarian will show you how to clip them or do the job for you.� Paint or tar can be removed from an animal's coat either by clipping off the hair or by rubbing with olive oil or medicinal paraffin.� Never use kerosene, petrol or turps.
REGISTRATION:��� Every dog owner must register his/her dog when it reaches the age of three months and re-register each year with their local authority.� Dogs must wear a collar bearing the current registration disc.� A separate disc bearing your own telephone number will give your dog added protection.� Some councils charge a lower registration fee in respect of de-sexed dogs.
'BONES OF CONTENTION'...
Barking Dogs:��� Keep your dog indoors at night.� This way he will bark only when necessary and will not annoy the neighbors. � He will be a better protector because he cannot be bribed, stolen, or injured. � If daytime barking is a problem see "Stop Barking" leaflet".
Roaming Dogs:�� Dogs who roam the neighborhood unattended annoy neighbors in many ways - they foul properties, chase cats, cause traffic accidents and so on.� They join up with other dogs and form packs which may attack other animals and stock.� If your property is securely fenced, your dog de-sexed and regularly exercised under your supervision, roaming is unlikely to be a problem.� If your dog is an expert jumper or digger - refer to leaflet 'Preventing Rover's Roamings'.
LOST DOGS:��� If your dog goes missing contact your local dog pounds, your local RSPCA Branch or Member Society and any other animal welfare groups.� It is important to visit the pounds in person because the description you give of your dog may not match up with the ranger's description. � Your dog will be held at the pound for 7 days only, after which he will be euthanased or adopted out to a new home.� Also check the Strayed & Impounded columns of the papers and insert an advertisement yourself.� It pays to offer a reward as many dogs are stolen specifically in order to obtain reward money from the owner.
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