Dogs
Dogs are very social animals and that is why they make such good pets. They are a pack animal, so minimum company is two. They thrive on plenty of company whether it be the family, another dog or other playmate.
Nutrition
Feeding a balanced diet appropriate to your dog’s age and lifestyle is fundamental to the health of your dog. Dogs love meat but they are not carnivores, they are omnivores and can live on both vegetable and meat based diets. Meat alone is not balanced in nutrients, roughage, vitamins or minerals. Often the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way of ensuring correct nutrition is to feed complete balanced products prepared by good pet food manufacturers.
Most brands these days have a range of 'lifestyle foods' i.e. foods with nutrition levels aimed at the specific age or activity of the dog, with feeding guides on the packaging.
Generally younger and very active dogs should be fed at least twice daily. Aged dogs also often benefit from smaller more frequent feeds.
Home cooked diets can be prepared but this should be done in consultation with your local Vet or a pet nutrition guide to ensure it is completely balanced and provides everything your pet needs in the correct ratios. Part of getting it right is to monitor your dog’s body condition, or amount of body fat. You can easily feel the ribs, but not see them, in a puppy or dog that is in ideal condition.
Puppies
To support the growth of bone, muscle and other tissues, puppies need to consume more energy, protein and minerals in comparison to body weight than adult dogs. Your puppy needs to stay on formulas for growth till they are approximately adult size so this depends on the breed. Some of the larger breeds are not fully grown till over 2 years of age and do best on large breed puppy formulations. Young puppies less than 3 months of age are best fed smaller meals, 3-4 times per day.
Preparing for your new pet
All dogs need a place where they can feel secure and safe like the den they would have had in the wild. A sheltered area out of the rain and cold is essential. They will need access to fresh water and a place to toilet. Responsibilities will need to be allocated. Your dog will feel more settled if there are regular patterns in place. If you have a puppy you may want to proof your house for chewing and lots of activity. Make sure your yard is escape proof!
Health
All dogs need regular health checks and need to keep their vaccinations up to date. Minimum health care should include regular worming, heart worm prevention, flea control and teeth cleaning. There are lots of products and some dry foods that clean teeth. Any changes in eating, drinking, urination, defecation or weight loss or gain should be checked out with a visit to the vet. Theses days there are treatments available for many problems ranging from diabetes to arthritis.
Grooming
Most dogs will enjoy a brush. Some breeds have been developed that will require clipping and brushing on a regular basis. Be sure you are able to maintain this level of care if you choose such a breed. The short haired breeds do not need much coat care. Some breeds are more prone to skin problems and white coated animals are more susceptible to sun damage.
Care and safety
Dogs are domesticated but their defence system is flight or fight. So it is best to train your dog and always supervise interactions with other animals and people, especially children. Just like children, pets need to be restrained in moving vehicles. It is import for everyone’s safety they are restrained securely in case of an accident.
Exercise
All dogs need regular exercise. Even a big yard becomes familiar after a short while and so interactive play and outings at least once a day are essential for the physical, social and mental needs of your pet. Dogs are a pack animal so if your pet will be alone most of the day you should consider a playmate as a necessity. Lots of company will minimise lots of demands on busy lifestyles and reduce behavioural problems that often stem initially from boredom.
Breed concerns
Since humans domesticated dogs we have selected them for different purposes, leading to the development of breeds. When choosing a specific breed it is important to look at what the breed was developed for e.g. the working breeds such as Cattle Dogs, Kelpies and Border Collies are extremely active and intelligent which is not suited well to being alone in a yard all day. Breeds that have been selected for fighting are more likely to fight. Many breeds have inherited health problems which may need veterinary intervention or management and so costs will be incurred.
All breeds have breed societies so it is wise to find out about a breed’s characteristics before you acquire one to make sure the pet is appropriate to your lifestyle. Remember that pets can live well over 10 years so it is a long term commitment. A crossbreed dog may be more robust and have the best of the breeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I feed my dog bones?
Yes. Your dog will certainly enjoy chewing bones which may provide them with hours of activity while you are not at home. The safest bones to give your dog are either raw brisket bones or large marrowbones. Never give a dog cooked bones or raw/cooked chicken bones. Initially you should supervise your pet, the benefit is only if they chew on the bone not swallow them, so remove any bones if concerned about their chewing behaviour.
2. Do I need to get my dog trained to be a good watch dog?
No. All dogs are territorial to some extent and will let you know if someone strange is entering the property. Aggression in a dog is never appropriate, the highly trained working guard dogs, for example with the police force, do so on command, not just because they are aggressive.
3. Do I need to take my puppy to puppy preschool if I already know a bit of training?
Yes. You do need to take your puppy to training school as it is between 6 and 12 weeks of age that is the most important time for socialisation. At puppy preschool your puppy can be safely socialised with people and other puppies and you will learn lots of helpful training tips.
4. Should I get my dog desexed?
Yes. It will make your pet more suited to the domestic life you have chosen for it. Mating drives lead to escaping and competition which then endangers pets’ lives. Other health issues in female dogs, such as mammary cancer, infected wombs and prostate problems will be avoided, not to mention the obvious control of unwanted litters. Your pet dog is no longer competing in the wild and so will benefit from desexing.
