Help and advice for Dogs

Twelve thousand years ago Man struck it lucky when he domesticated the dog. Through the simplest of gestures - reaching down to pat a dog on the head in appreciation for a task well done - a beautiful friendship was born. Today, this bond remains unchanged and the world over, the dog is recognised as the most selfless of animals. It is said that "a dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

Many owners would agree that dogs are more than pets. Their unalloyed loyalty and affection has transformed them into our guardian angels, confidantes, healers, heroes and ultimately our friends. In fact it is believed that no matter how poor we are, having a dog makes us rich.

On a more practical level, owning a dog will demand a lot of your time and a little financing.

What you will need...!

Chew toys
Dog bed - a dog needs a warm, cosy place to call its own
Dog lead and collar - essential for exercising your dog
Good quality food and water bowls
Brushes, combs, shampoos and grooming accessories, Nail clipper
Carrier or harness for travelling

Responsible ownership...

Vaccinations
Identity - to prevent your dog getting lost, be sure it has a collar and identity tag. Don't put your dog's name on the tag. More permanent forms of identification include tattooing and micro chipping (which is convenient if travelling abroad with your dog).
Insurance - some breeds are disposed to health problems and this is a sensible way to cope with veterinary costs.

Pedigree or Crossbreed..?

Pedigree dogs may cost more than a crossbreed but a pedigree has advantages. Pedigrees have a predictable temperament, have proven abilities and conform to a particular size, weight and medical profile. In this way a pedigree can be more easily matched to the needs of the owner. For example, Golden Retrievers are well known for their easy temperament and for being good with children. By contrast, a crossbred cannot be predefined; the personality and appearance of a crossbreed can only be guessed at because parentage is very often unknown. It is also said that pedigrees are more prone to hereditary diseases such as heart defects, hip dysphasia, heart defects and eye problems. These problems arise from selective breeding (close in-breeding). Mongrels by comparison are thought to be healthier because they have a greater gene pool, reducing the risk of genetic diseases and promoting greater immunity.

Pedigrees

Humans have selectively bred dogs to match their purposes. Over time seven groups of dogs have evolved to include: gundogs, hounds, terriers, toy dogs, utility dogs, working dogs and pastoral. The dogs within each group have a similar temperament and ability. It is best to research each group or breed before you make any decision.

Buying

Your local animal shelter will have a wide selection of pedigree and mixed breed pups and dogs from all backgrounds. Shelter animals really need homes and adopting one means that a needy dog is given a chance at life. You can also go to a pedigree breeder but be sure they are reputable; ask for certificates relating to screening for hereditary diseases; observe the mother with her litter, and check that the premises are clean and odour free. You can also check with the Kennel Club for a list of breeders. Puppies should be at least eight weeks old before they are re-homed. A prospective dog or puppy should be in good health. Signs of a healthy puppy / dog

Proper weight. An underweight puppy may have internal parasites
Clean, pink, odour free ears. There should be no waxy build-up or irritation.
Soft shiny coat and pink skin with no dark specks, irritation or lumps.
Clear bright eyes that are free of stains or crusty residue.
No runny nose
No coughing
Healthy appetite
Active, not lethargic
Playful and friendly
White teeth and pink gums
Fresh smelling smell
No blood stains or diarrhoea under the tail

The first six months of dog owning are the most daunting: house training, feeding, socialising, and maintaining health. It is best to begin where others left off. Find out what exercise and feeding schedule the animal has been used to, and obtain its health and vaccination records from the previous owner. For a new puppy or dog it is not to make any sudden changes to routine.

Feeding

Diet is vitally important for a dog, especially puppies that rely on proper, balanced feeding if they are to develop normally. This fact cannot be understated: in the first year of a dog's life, it grows as much as a human does in their first fourteen years of life!

Puppies need more good quality food than adult dogs and while all dog food contains basic components of protein, calcium, fat and carbohydrates, the only difference for puppies should be in the ratio of each ingredient. Protein is essential in a puppy's diet as it supports the growth of bone and muscle while fat is needed for energy, to sustain a puppy's active lifestyle. Puppies should be fed small meals throughout the day due to their small stomachs. They should not be overfed as this leads to obesity in later life. At six months, less food can be fed and only twice daily. At one year the dog should only be fed once per day. Signs of healthy feeding will be reflected in the animal's appearance. The dog or puppy should be alert, have bright eyes, shiny coat and be free from illness.

Feeding Tips

Don't let your dog eat cat food - it is too high in protein.
Dogs are essentially carnivores but if forced to they can survive on other foods and vegetables which contain protein.
A dog should always have access to a fresh supply of water.
Don't feed dogs chocolate as it is poisonous for them
Each breed's nutritional requirements will vary greatly. This is due to the extremes in size and lifestyle of each breed. Consider feeding breed-specific feeds which are geared to the size and activity levels of the individual breed. Also available are lifestyle feeds - growth (puppy), maintenance (adult), and senior.
Older dogs may require a special diet if they have kidney problems. This means a diet containing less protein and more fibre to combat problems like constipation.

Safety check your home

Ensure your home, both inside and out, is safe for a dog. Be sure that all poisonous plants and flowers are out of your dog's reach, including daffodils, rhododendron, mistletoe, most lilies, primroses, foxgloves, ivy, and stems of cherry, plum and apple. Keep the animal away from cleaning detergents, breakables and small swallowable items. Keep garages closed to dogs as they should not have access to poisonous substances - paints, weed killers, detergents, outdoor solvents, etc.

Home alone

If you must leave your dog alone for a considerable time, be sure to provide it with some worthwhile distraction. Dogs left home alone can develop anti-social behaviour: inappropriate eliminating, chewing furniture, scratching doors and windows, incessant barking and yelping. For dogs destructiveness is one of the few options open to it for expressing its frustration and fear. To help the situation leave a radio or television on when you're away. Position your dog near a window or patio with a stimulating view. You can also exercise your dog for at least 30 minutes each day before leaving, as this releases pent-up energy. Provide your dog with some chew toys but don't provide any more than three or four toys at a time - it will only encourage the dog to extend its destructiveness on other household items.

Housetraining

House training can be achieved in a week but it may to difficult for a puppy not to relieve itself in the middle of the night - due the smallness of its bladder. Over time the situation will improve and after six months the animal should be comfortable with its house training.

After your dog wakes up, eats, or plays, take it to the place that you have chosen for it to relieve itself, and always clean up after it. As a general rule a three-month-old puppy needs to eliminate every three hours. It helps if you feed your dog at regular times because it will be easier to develop a training routine.
Never punish your dog for making a mess in your home. Reprimanding your pet after it has an accident only teaches it to be nervous and wary of you. A dog will not connect a punishment with an event that happened thirty minutes beforehand.
A dog that suddenly puts its nose down and sniffs intently is usually signalling that it is about to eliminate, so you can let it outside. It may also begin circling. Put newspapers near the door for the dog in case it cannot get outside in time. Always praise a dog when it has eliminated in the proper manner. This reinforces good behaviour.

Grooming

All dogs need grooming regardless of breed or hair type. Grooming is a great way to socialise any pet because the act of touching and stroking (even with a brush) is therapeutic for both dog and owner. It also promotes healthy skin and coat. Some breeds such as West Highland Terriers should not be bathed regularly but their coats should be brushed and regularly clipped. Most dogs should be bathed monthly but it depends very much on the breed and its level of activity. Always use a dog or mild baby shampoo.

Try and brush the dog weekly. Comb out dead hair from dense undercoat, particularly when the dog is in moult (this occurs twice yearly).

You should use a brush suited to your dog's hair type and always follow the direction of hair growth, not forgetting the underparts. Be careful with matted or knotted hair - remove the knot with scissors avoiding the scalp.

Health

Vaccinations are important because they protect the dog from canine diseases. Puppies are born with some protection in the form of antibodies that are passed from their mothers, but this natural built-in protection wanes. Puppies should be vaccinated between 4-8 weeks and again at around twelve weeks, and the vaccinations boosted every year for continued protection. Dogs are susceptible to infectious diseases, such as canine distemper, hepatitis, canine parvovirus and kennel cough, and vaccination is the only form of protection.

Worming

Internal and external parasites can also be a common problem. It is important to worm your puppy every two weeks from the age of two weeks until twelve weeks. After which time the puppy can be wormed quarterly. Dogs should be wormed against tapeworm and roundworm on a quarterly basis. Symptoms of worms can include the following: rice-like segments in your dog's faeces, increased appetite, weight loss, scooting (rubbing bottom along ground), diarrhoea, vomiting and in extreme cases anaemia.
Further information

Fleas

If your pet scratches excessively it could have fleas, signalled by small clusters of dark specks of dirt on the animal's coat. In order to treat fleas you must treat the dog's environment as well as the animal itself. Environmental flea treatments are available which prevent flea eggs from hatching effectively grinding the problem to a halt. Flea treatments for dogs come in a variety of forms: topical spot-on lotions applied to the dog's skin or oral liquid supplied in the dog's food. These treatments can last for several weeks. Fleas don't just make your dog itch they also transmit tapeworms as well so it is important to treat your dog for both fleas and worms.
Further information

Toys and Teeth

Chewing is a physiological and psychological need for dogs and puppies. Puppies in particular need to chew toys when they are teething but chewing also promotes healthy teeth and gums. Chewing bones or raw-hide products stimulate a natural flossing action on the teeth similar to a dog's natural diet of fresh meat. Experts estimate that 80% of dogs over three years old suffer from some form of dental disease. To combat this special diets have been formulated for canine dental health. Some owners are tempted to brush their dog's teeth but they should not use human toothpaste as they upset the dog's stomach. Opt instead for veterinary toothpaste. Dry food is also beneficial for teeth - as it has greater chew-ability than canned foods. Generally the easiest way is to simply give your dog a bone and keep him smiling with healthy teeth. Be careful not to give your dog chicken bones as they are small and can easily splinter.

Neutering

Dogs and bitches can be spayed or neutered from the age of seven weeks but many vets prefer to wait until much later when the animal has reached physical maturity. Neutering reduces the vicious circle of unwanted dogs, while decreasing the health risks for your pet. Neutering is one of the most positive ways of caring for your dog.

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