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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 dogs 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 dogs 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.

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