Having worked in an animal shelter I found many people took on the responsibility of pets without much knowledge. So I thought I would write some basic pet care articles that people may find useful.

#1 – Dogs

BEHAVIOUR
A big issues with dogs seems to be behaviour. To understand a dog’s behaviour, you need to understand why it does what it does. To understand a dog, you must think “wolf”.

Dogs are pack animals and the pack has is an “Alpha” that other pack members look towards. As the owner YOU are this pack leader and must act as the leader. To make a dog realise you are the leader does NOT require violence or aggression.

Below are two simple premises that will create the correct mind-set for your dog. Use these to establish the behaviour within yourself as well as your dog and then build upon it.

1 - Make sure YOU always eat first. A wolf leader will always take first choice from the kill. Feed yourself and your family first. If the dog begs for food, ignore him.

These are the same manipulation tricks children will use to get sweets! Once it works, the dog will continue to use these over again. After you eat, feed the dog.

2 – In games such as tug of war you should always win. The pack leader always wins, that is why they are “pack leader”. The dog will enjoy the game and will attempt to continue it as long as possible. They aren’t like people and they won’t become “sore losers”, its about the GAME.

BAD BEHAVIOUR
Dogs are not people and are not spiteful with their actions. They cannot speak our language so they use their own to communicate. A bark and whine are not the only means of communication for a dog. As with almost all animals, non-verbal signals are their main basis for how they express themselves.

Here are some basics:

Destruction – Whether its shredding your furniture or chewing your shoes, this behaviour is usually consistent with boredom. Rather than yelling at the dog for his behaviour, look first at your own. Have you left him alone for long periods? Is he an energetic dog that needs a long walk?

Fouling – Expelling mess in the house. Firstly, think about the age. Is this a young dog that is still getting to grips with toilet training? Is it an old dog whose is getting to the age when he struggles to identify when he needs to go outside? Secondly, have you changed your habits, the dog food, placement of the bed, got a new pet etc that could have upset them?

If it seems totally out of character look at other aspects, is the dog eating, does he respond well, does he seem alert or lethargic? After all, it could be an early indication of a medical problem so maybe take him to the vet if there are other drastic changes to his character/behaviour that you are unable to explain.

Stealing – This usually involves food were a dog will steal food and run off with it. If you feed your dog regularly, then this behaviour isn’t about hunger. It could very well be that your dog is trying to get your attention, wanting you to play, to chase. Again this could be a boredom issue.

NEEDS
Be aware of your dogs needs. This does not just include food and water. Take the time to think about your dog, the age, breed and their personality. This will allow you to understand and respond to their needs. Here are some basic thoughts:

Energetic – If your dog is energetic, you may need to give him longer walks and spend more playtime with him, otherwise his excessive energy can be turned into something destructive. One idea for an energetic dog is maybe taking them to a doggie assault course that will allow them to have fun and use up lots of energy.

Old – Older dogs often responds better to a comfortable and quiet environment. Keep his bed in a warm undisturbed location, make sure his food area is not moved and be aware that older dogs work better to a strong routine regarding feeding / walking etc.

Puppies – Puppies need more attention especially to help increase their familiarity with people. Also, make sure you take them for walks in places were other dog-walkers are. Dogs need to learn to socialise with other dogs and this is best done early.

IDENTIFICATION
Make sure your dog has Identification. This should be a microchip that a vet can implant in the neck scruff. Keep the microchip information updated, if you move or get a new phone number you will need to contact the microchip service provider to amend your records.

Remember if you adopt an animal from a shelter or charity, check if it has been microchipped. If so, again this will need to be amended from the shelter’s details to yours.

For additional peace of mind, include a collar tag. The tag should have your name, address and number on so that if anyone finds your dog he can be returned quickly.

FOOD / WATER / TOYS
Fresh water should always be available for a dog whether inside or out. It is also advisable that if you go for long walks that you take water bottle for your dog. There are many new designs now for bowl and bottle combined kits that can be clipped to your belt.

Dogs are scavengers and will eat almost anything however it does not mean it is advisable to buy the same type and flavour of dogfood each time. Different age groups need different types of food so make sure you are getting the correct type for your dog’s age.

There are many brands and types that can help with weight control, dental health etc. Give it a little thought when you go shopping for his food. Don’t forget to add a treat here and there. Remember do NOT feed chocolate to a dog as the caffeine and bromethalin are poisonous.

To help alleviate boredom and help with interaction, make sure you get some toys for your dog. It is best to get a selection that can be for you and the dog (tug of war / throwing & retrieving) as well as toys just for your dog (chew toys).

Always inspect toys to make sure the dog hasn’t damaged them so much that they may cause injury. Studies have shown dogs appear to prefer chew toys to have two or more textures.

HEALTH
Just as your own health is important, treat your pet dog the same way. Have him taken to the vets as advised and be aware of common complaints that may affect certain breeds (eg: hip dysplasia common in larger dogs).

As well as the usual vaccinations make sure your dog is neutered/spayed. And always be observant of your dogs behaviour as changes can be warning signs of medical problems. If you suspect, act swiftly and contact the vet.

TEMPERATURE
While most dogs do have a fur coat, this does not mean they can take extremely cold temperatures. If you are walking a dog on a frosty/snowy night take into consideration the type, age and fur thickness of the dog to determine whether it would benefit from a coat.

Do not leave a dog outside in very cold temperatures. If your dog is an outside dog, then adequate shelter with thick-blanketed floors should be provided. The shelter should face away from rain or winds so the dog is comfortable. If a dog is not given shelter from cold, the chill can cause problems with the dog’s joints as well as its chest.

The same can be said from heat. Dogs cannot sweat to cool down, so they pant to regulate body temperature but on hot days be aware just how much the dog is panting.

If the dog is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh cool water and lots of shaded shelter. Remember the sun moves so make sure there is ALWAYS shade. Do NOT leave a dog inside a car or conservatory on warm days. Temperature can quickly increase. A window open will not help. Too many dogs die from heatstroke because of this.

TRAVEL
A quick note on travel, two issues should be covered here, driver safety and dog safety. A dog should not be allowed to move freely around a car. This can easily distract or even compromise the driver. Consider a seat belt harness. The dog is fastened into the car keeping them away from the driver as well as offering protection to the dog should there be an accident.

Be aware that items such as guards that separate the dog and driver do not protect the dog if there is an accident.

COMPANIONSHIP
Your dog is a companion not a toy or a distraction for the children. Remember that dogs are pack animals and need social interaction. Dogs get bored easily so make sure you give them more than just “walkies” time.

A dog should not be left along for more than 4 continual hours at a time. If your schedule / working life means the dog will be left alone for longer than this, maybe look into using a Dog Creche service or have a friend / neighbour call in on the dog.

While other dogs or other animals the dog gets on with can offer companionship, remember if you leave them alone for long periods then give them barely any time when you are home, the animals will not so much “offer company” to each other as increase the naughty behaviour by doing it together.

EMERGENCIES
Planning and forethought can help to minimise stress & problems in emergencies. Remember emergencies can happen ANYTIME. If you have a flooding or house fire and must evacuate, be prepared to relocate your dog.

Basic things to think about:

Photos – Have photos of your dog alone and with you in the picture. These can be used on lost posters and can help to identify you as the owner.

Carriers – Have a correct size dog carrier / cage. This should include a tag on the cage with your pet’s details and your contact details, if for any reason you get separated. The carrier should fit comfortably in your car and have enough room for food & water bowls. The best ones have the bowls clipped to the door to avoid spilling.

Make sure your dog does not associate the carrier only with negative experiences (like visiting the vet), so use it for other situations in order to re-enforce positive thoughts. This will reduce stress in the dog if it has to be put in the carrier during an emergency. Keep a blanket with your scent on in the carrier.

Contacts – Have a list of the following contacts: Your local vet, emergency out-of-office vet, hotels that accept pets, local shelters, local pound. If your pet goes missing, make sure you check shelters/pounds EVERY day.

Notification – It is a good idea to have notification on your window (such as sticker) that states there is a dog in the house. This would be helpful for emergency services like the Fire Brigade if they had to attend a fire at your house, especially if you aren’t at home and they can be aware to look out for the animal.

Training – It is a good idea to have your dog trained so that it will return when you call, and be more likely to respond positively in an emergency.

While I hope you found this information useful, I do recommend that if you are interested in taking on a dog that you think about the impact a dog will have in your life. Read up on caring for a dog before you head off to the shelters.

Categories: lifestyle

Tags: animal welfare, dogs, pet care

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