Caring for your Dog

Owning a dog is considered to be part of the Australian way of life. Dogs provide companionship, loyalty, and love for people of all ages and add pleasure and fun to life. In return dogs depend on their owners to provide them with care and attention every day. It is best for people, particularly families, to make a conscious effort to accept the responsibilities of dog ownership before deciding on the purchase of a dog.

Responsibilities of Purchasing a Dog

Buying a dog means taking on a serious responsibility for ten years or more. The following checklist needs to be considered:

� Large Dog or Small

Large dogs need plenty of space and are generally unsuitable as housedogs. The larger the dog the more it will cost to feed. In addition, large dogs require a great deal of daily exercise and are often difficult to control and handle.

� Purebred or Crossbred

Pedigree or purebred dogs are the most expensive to buy. However, they have a predictable nature and appearance. Crossbreeds are dogs of mixed ancestry, are robust, and often make wonderful pets. Because it is common for their ancestry to be unknown, it is impossible to predict accurately how these puppies will develop.

� Dog or Bitch

Male dogs are often quite independent. They are usually more difficult to train and control. Males tend to wander, fight other dogs and worry other animals (especially cats and sheep). Unsterilised dogs may show aggressive behaviour toward humans and other animals, but desexing and training may solve these problems. Bitches are more popular as family pets and may cost a little more. They are by nature affectionate and companionable, but unless they are desexed, they will attract dogs when in season and may reproduce every six months.

� Short Coat or Long

Long coated dogs require daily grooming. If grooming is neglected, hair knots frequently form, leading to skin ailments. Regular trips to dog salons for washing and clipping the coat are expensive, especially if the dog must be tranquillised first because it resents grooming.

Choosing a Dog

Buy your dog from a reputable source. Purchase your dog from a reputable dog breeder or approach an animal welfare society such as the RSPCA where healthy dogs are available for adoption from shelters.

Beware of purchasing a dog from markets or places where large numbers of dogs are kept for sale by dealers. It is not unusual for animals sold from these establishments to have received no suitable examination from a veterinary surgeon, and accordingly, they may not be healthy or free from physical defects. Never purchase a puppy that looks or is unwell.

Some Advice

The common law maxim �Caveat Emptor�, "Let the buyer beware", simply means that the new owner must bear responsibility for a faulty animal purchased. Read all you can about the dog you have chosen. Books can be obtained from pet shops or newsagents. Talk to friends who have the same breed of dog.

Check with your local veterinary surgeon about possible breed-specific medical problems that the dog of your choice could contract. At the same time, check the cost of the various treatments your future dog may need such as vaccination, desexing and worming.



Responsibilities of Dog Ownership

All dogs require adequate shelter from the elements, protection from natural or manmade enemies (such as the motor car), a correct and balanced daily diet and appropriate exercise. It is the owner who must bear the responsibility if a dog bites a human, kills wildlife, damages property, causes a traffic accident, creates noise or other pollution, or is the direct cause of some other cost to the community. Owners must ensure that dogs receive proper veterinary care and must watch their dogs to detect signs of illness.

� The Law

The Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act proclaims the following offences which dog owners should know about:

  � abandoning a dog;
  � conveying a dog in circumstances involving cruelty;
  � failure to provide drink, food or shelter for a dog; failure to provide
             veterinary treatment for a dog that is ill or injured;
  � failure to provide reasonable daily exercise to a dog which is habitually
            chained or closely confined;
  � ill- treating, injuring, tormenting or torturing a dog, killing a dog in a
            cruel, unlawful, or malicious manner.

If you suspect cruelty to an animal, inform the RSPCA or Victorian Police immediately.

The dog owner also has responsibilities to control their animal according to the local Government �Dog Act� including registration, ensuring the dog is leashed in public and properly identified and not allowing the dog to worry or attack another animal or person. In addition, many municipalities prohibit more than two dogs being kept in a residence without permission. Be sure to contact your local Council to make sure you know your obligations.

Care for your Dog

� Housing

Most dogs are hardy enough to sleep out of doors in a well-built, well-furnished and weatherproof kennel, if dogs live indoors and sleep in a cane basket or wooden bed.

Puppies should be introduced to the sleeping area provided as soon as they are brought home. Kennels should be warm, dry and draught free, off the ground, near the house and human activity, but not in a thoroughfare. The kennel should be protected from rain and excessive sun. Bedding should be changed regularly. Washable rugs, cushions, blankets, or strips of clean newspaper are suitable as bedding.

� Exercise

Digging holes in the garden, wrecking plants, pulling washing off the line, are symptoms of massive boredom in dogs. Dogs need an outlet for this energy via exercise. Ideally, dogs would be taken to Council designated areas where they can be safely let off the leash to run free with no risk from motor traffic and no threat to farm livestock or wildlife. All exercise, even that taken off the leash, should be supervised and the dog kept within calling distance.

All dogs should be kept within a properly dog-proof fenced property. If for larger properties this is not possible, then a properly fenced dog-run should be constructed and the dog kennel should be placed within the run. For short-term use, exercise on a running wire and lead can be provided. The wire should be placed well above the height of the dog and a stopper should be fitted to each end of the wire to prevent the lead attached to the dog becoming wrapped around the supporting posts.

� Grooming

Combing and brushing dogs regularly is essential, particularly for longhaired breeds. It is best to establish this habit early in a dog�s life so that grooming becomes part of the routine. Grooming removes dust, dead skin, loose hairs, grass seeds and tangles. It also assists to shorten the coat moult, which occurs every autumn and spring.

A dog which is dirty or smells should be bathed. During summer, a flea control shampoo and a flea rinse should be used. In colder weather, towels or a hair drier can be used to remove excess water and assist in drying the coat.

Training your Dog.

� Housetraining your puppy (or dog)

To housetrain your puppy you firstly have to work at preventing any more mistakes from happening and then take the time to teach them where you would prefer them to go to the toilet.

You can prevent mistakes from happening by diligently supervising your puppy while they are inside and regularly taking them outside to relieve themselves. If you are unable to supervise them, containing your puppy in a �dog crate� or small area inside for short periods of time will assist in your efforts to housetrain your puppy. Alternatively, you may choose to put your puppy outside to avoid accidents whilst they are being housetrained.

When you put your puppy outside to go to the toilet, go outside with them and reward them with a treat or praise immediately after they have finished going to the toilet in the desired place. Please be aware that there is the potential that reprimanding your puppy may complicate your housetraining efforts, as the puppy may become secretive in its toileting.

If your puppy does go to the toilet inside, clean the area thoroughly with a non-ammonia based cleaning product, these can be found at your local veterinary clinic or pet shop.

Some puppies will be slower than others to become reliable indoors, however will most accidents usually occur when the owner forgets to regularly allow the puppy outside to relieve itself.

� General training for your puppy (or dog)

Puppies respond well to �positive-reinforcement� based training. It is important to acknowledge that they do not instinctively know what behaviours are right or wrong and it will be up to you, to teach them. Take the time to show your puppy what you want them to do and reward them with a treat, praise or a game when they do the right thing.

If your puppy is behaving inappropriately you should attempt to redirect them to something else and reward them when they begin to engage in a more appropriate behaviour. For example, if your puppy is chewing on the furniture, redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. Alternatively you may find that ignoring the undesirable behaviour and rewarding the correct one, can also be a very effective way to train your puppy.

Regular socialisation and training, from as early as 8 weeks of age, is an important factor in raising a well-behaved and socially acceptable dog. New puppy owners will benefit from enrolling in a Puppy Pre-School class as soon as they get their puppy.

Undesirable behaviours, such as barking and digging, may well be avoided if you keep your puppy entertained. Regular play-times, walks, short training sessions, quiet �quality time� and interesting toys can keep your dog busy and out of mischief.

You should be aware that some problem behaviours do not become apparent until your dog reaches adolescence and/or sexual maturity. Prevention is the key and enrolling your dog in training classes and socialising your dog from an early age will go along way to avoiding problems in the future.

If you are experiencing difficulties in managing your dog�s behaviour please contact the RSPCA or your local shelter, Veterinary Clinic, Dog Obedience Clubs or registered dog trainer for advice.

Some municipal councils provide a reduced registration fee for dogs which have successfully completed a registered Obedience Course.

RSPCA offers Puppy Pre-school & Pet Dog "Manners Classes". Click on classes for more information.

Feeding

Dogs require a properly balanced diet for health. Such a diet contains protein to build the body, fats for skin and coat health, carbohydrates for energy and minerals and vitamins for good bone development and healthy tissues. Roughage is essential for bowel function. The most economical and balanced diet easiest to provide for dogs is a mixture of meat, raw, cooked or canned and dry food.

� Meat

Meat by itself cannot be a complete diet and requires heavy supplementation with vitamins, minerals and other food materials. In rapidly growing dogs a diet of meat only can lead to a major mineral imbalance and skeletal damage.

� Canned Food

These vary widely in quality, you get what you pay for but a good quality canned food, that combines the goodness of meat with vegetables cereal and the correct levels of vitamins and minerals, provides a diet which is complete and balanced.

� Semi-Moist Foods

All these products are a complete diet.

� Dry Foods

Those that are a complete diet have this stated on the packet. This is an excellent and easy way of feeding a dog.

� Bones

All dogs appreciate a bone, especially a raw bone. A large marrowbone cleans the teeth massages the gums, and is a dog's treasured possession. The RSPCA recommends a regular supply of bones for mouth/dental hygiene.
 

� Drinking Water

Fresh water must always be available, particularly when dry foods are used. Containers must be kept clean and placed in the shade. During summer when very hot days are common, water may need replenishing several times a day.

� Milk

Milk is a useful dietary supplement for dogs of all ages, but can result in diarrhoea and sometimes dermatitis.

Health and Veterinary Care

� Signs of Health:
  � Demeanour: Alert, vital, and quickly responsive to sounds and calls.
  � Movement: Good stamina in youth, deteriorating with age; no lameness.
  � Appetite: Enthusiastic for food, eating fast, no vomiting.
  � Coat: Clean, glossy, and free from parasites and dirt.
  � Ears: Alert to slightest sound, no discharge or irritation.
  � Eyes: Clear with no discharge or inflammation.
  � Nose: Cold and damp when outdoors, dry and warm when indoors; no persistent discharge.
  � If your dog appears unwell for any reason, consult your veterinarian.

� Vaccination

Canine Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis and Canine Parvovirus are three viral diseases of dogs which are potentially fatal. None affect humans. Vaccination against these diseases is mandatory. Temporary vaccinations are given from 6 - 10 weeks of age, but further injections are required. Consult your veterinary surgeon for advice on the proper schedule and whether any other vaccine is advisable.

In addition a vaccination is available against Kennel Cough, an upper respiratory infection of dogs. This disease is not fatal but vaccination is advisable.

� Worming

Puppy Roundworms can infect humans. To prevent this infection, puppies should be wormed regularly throughout the first year of life, together with commonsense personal hygiene on the part of the handlers. Tapeworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms can also infect dogs and your veterinary surgeon can advise when to worm the dog.

Heartworm is a major problem for dogs in most areas of Australia. Preventative treatment is available but must not be commenced without first receiving veterinary advice.

� Fleas

Fleas are a common external parasite associated with dogs. They cause severe itching and inflammation of the skin, leading to dermatitis. They are the intermediate host for the Tapeworm most common in dogs. Regular use of insecticidal powders or washes or the use of a flea collar together with active control of fleas in the dog's environment will control the problem.

� Poisoning

Most poisoning of dogs is accidental. Garden poisons, such as snail baits, are the main cause. Dogs known to eat anything will be most likely to eat or drink poisons stored or laid if accessible to them. Dogs found foaming at the mouth, with muscle tremors or staggering gait or unable to stand should receive immediate veterinary treatment.

� General Illness

Shown by a continued failure to eat and drink, usually accompanied by depression. Seek veterinary advice.

Desexing

Bitches are desexed for a number of reasons: to prevent the season cycle which occurs twice a year for 3 weeks attracting many male dogs to prevent unwanted pregnancies with the associated problems of rearing puppies and finding proper homes for them; to prevent breast cancer and uterus problems frequently found in entire undesexed bitches.

Male dogs are desexed to prevent fighting, wandering, offensive sexual habits and other undesirable social problems.

In order to ensure pet dogs & cats are desexed, RSPCA Australia supports and recommends early aged desexing from the age of eight weeks. At this age the surgery is simple and recovery is immediate.

Dogs should be desexed preferably at about 6 months of age and bitches should not be desexed when in season. Your veterinary surgeon will advise.

The RSPCA advocates the desexing of all dogs not kept for breeding purposes; municipal councils provide a reduced registration fee for desexed animals.

Boarding your Dog

It is probable that at some time in a dog's life, it may have to stay in a boarding kennel. The most usual reason is that the family will be away from home on holiday.

When choosing an establishment, dog owners are urged to personally call at the kennel and check for themselves:
  � Staffing: Is there enough staff to ensure more personalised attention for your dog.
  � Security: adequate precautions against the possibility of escape.
  � Hygiene: evidence of cleanliness and no smell.
  � Accommodation: dry, clean and roomy.
  � Exercise: facilities for exercise of larger dogs and long-term boarders.

Dogs must be booster vaccinated prior to boarding at kennels. Most kennels require all vaccinations (see Vaccination) to have been given at least 14 days before admission.