When bringing a new dog into your home, there are many things you will need to consider. A good place to start is by taking your dog to the vet to ensure their vaccinations are up to date and to learn about the basics of caring for your furry friend. To help your dog settle in at home, it’s important to put regular patterns and routines in place. This may involve sharing animal care responsibilities among different members of your family.
Though meeting your dog’s every need can be a significant commitment, having a canine companion by your side can be an incredibly rewarding experience. If you’re looking to care for a loyal fur friend of your own, consider adopting a dog or puppy from RSPCA NSW.
In NSW, you are legally required to have your dog microchipped and registered with your council. Your dog must also wear a collar with a tag which lists your contact details. The registration cost will vary, depending on whether your dog is desexed. If changing address, remember to update your details with your local council.
Additionally, as an animal guardian, you are responsible for bringing your dog to a veterinarian for vaccinations and regular health checks. Doing this once a year is equivalent to getting a human visiting the doctor once every five years. At home, you’ll also need to regularly treat your dog for fleas, ticks, and worms. It’s also important to keep your dog’s teeth clean. There are plenty of products and some dry foods that can help you maintain your dog’s oral hygiene and health.
There are also several plants and other common household products that are toxic to dogs. Familiarise yourself with these items to minimise the risk of your dog consuming a dangerous substance and avoid bringing toxic plants home. If you think your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, please consult a veterinarian immediately.
Remember, any changes in behaviour, defecation, drinking, eating, urination, or weight loss or gain should be checked out with a visit to the veterinarian. Today, there are many treatments available for a wide array of problems; even with conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, your veterinarian can advise you on the steps you can take to provide your animal companion with a safe and happy life.
RSPCA NSW Veterinary Hospitals can provide high quality care and support for you and your dog. From routine veterinary health checks to specialised surgeries, our veterinary teams can help you provide your dog with emergency treatment and essential support.
Dogs who receive enrichment lead happier, healthier lives, which is why it’s so important for canine carers to keep their companions entertained. If you aren’t providing your dog with sensory experiences, mental stimulation, and positive social engagement, they may develop behavioural problems such as aggression or social anxiety. Proper enrichment is achieved by engaging a dog’s five primary senses: touch, taste, hearing, vision, and smell. There are two different types of enrichment that all dogs need, namely animate interactions (activities that involve people and other animals) and inanimate interactions (engagement with toys and other non-living things).
Enrichment activities, or environmental optimisation, can ensure that your dog’s individual and species-specific needs are met, helping maintain and improve their physical and emotional well-being. These activities go beyond a pets’ basic need for food, water, and shelter, prompting sensory experiences, mental stimulation, and (occasionally) social engagement. The benefits of enrichment can be surprisingly far-reaching, from reductions in stress and anxiety to reducing the risk of behavioural issues. Furthermore, enrichment not only improves animals’ overall wellbeing, but it also nurtures and strengthens the bond between people and their pets!
Here are some activities you can try to keep your dog happy and enriched:
While different-sized animals will have different exercise needs, dogs require daily exercise in addition to mental stimulation. Your dog can still become bored if only given access to your backyard; a daily outing gives them the chance to exercise, explore, and socialise where appropriate.
Always make sure you have treats when exercising your dog, so you can continue positive training. Taking poo bags with you is also an important part of being a responsible dog owner. Please remember that while some dogs require two hour-long walks a day, others may not enjoy outdoor walks at all.
If your dog is showing signs that he fearful on your walks, do not persist. Instead, contact RSPCA NSW or your veterinarian for advice.
Grooming your dog is an essential responsibility of being a canine carer. By establishing this habit early in your dog’s life, it may become a fun bonding activity you can enjoy with your furry friend.
If your dog has a long coat, you may also need to clip it to avoid matting. Be sure to check with your local veterinarian about clipping your dogs’ nails. They can advise you on the best technique, and how often this should be done to keep your pooch happy and comfortable.
It’s important to note that your canine companion should only be bathed using shampoo specifically prepared for dogs.
All dogs need a resting place where they can feel comfortable and secure, which is why it’s important to provide them with bedding or a kennel that is clean, escape-proof, and sheltered from the rain and cold.
If your dog prefers to sleep outside, their sleeping area must be escape-proof (securely fenced), contain a warm, dry kennel (consisting of a floor, three solid walls, and a roof), and provide adequate protection from wind and rain. If your dog sleeps inside, make sure they have a comfortable bed in a quiet area where she can have some privacy.
When bringing a dog into your home, remember to account for the fact that they will require easy access to drinking water and a place to go to the toilet. Puppies are often very energetic and enjoy chewing things around the house. So, if your new dog is on the younger side, consider puppy-proofing your property to prevent her from damaging anything or accidentally hurting themselves.
Before taking home a new forever friend, take some time to learn about the needs and history of their breed. For example, working dogs (such as Kelpies) are extremely active and intelligent, meaning they are ill suited to being left alone in your backyard or house all day.
A dog’s breed can affect a range of different characteristics, so make sure you’re prepared to match with a dog that fits with your lifestyle and level of animal care experience. Some breeds have inherited health problems that require veterinary intervention, meaning you might incur ongoing costs depending on your animal’s needs.
Remember that although caring for a dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it is also a long-term commitment and a huge responsibility.
It’s important to feed your dog a balanced diet appropriate for their age and lifestyle. Dogs are omnivores and can live on both vegetable and meat-based diets. Please note that consuming only meat will not provide your dog with an adequate balance of nutrients, roughage, vitamins, or minerals.
The most affordable and convenient way to ensure your dog receives the correct nutrition is to feed them complete-balanced products appropriate for their age and health status. Make sure you choose high-quality, commercial food prepared by reputable pet food manufacturers. You can also occasionally provide them with natural foods for variety. This may include fresh/raw meat, raw/meaty bones, and vegetables.
Choose human-grade raw meat and uncooked, meaty bones, as many bone products, pet meat, pet mince, and pet rolls can contain preservatives that can damage your dog’s health. For example, sulphite preservatives can give your dog a thiamine deficiency, which can prove fatal. In this instance, be sure to also avoid sausages, sausage meat, and cooked manufactured meats, as they can contain sulphites.
Most brands have a range of ‘lifestyle foods’, which have nutrition levels aimed at the specific age or activity of the dog, with feeding guides on the packaging.
Generally, younger, more active dogs should be fed at least twice a day, while older dogs often benefit from smaller, more frequent, feeds.
You can prepare a home-cooked diets for your dog, but this should only be done in consultation with your veterinarian or a pet nutrition guide. Adequate referrals will ensure their diet is completely balanced and provides everything they need in the correct ratios.
If a puppy or dog is in ideal condition, you should be able to easily feel their ribs, but not see them.
Many human foods can cause illness or health complications, so avoid giving your dog:
Although caring for any kind of animal is a huge responsibility, looking after a puppy can be a significant time investment, particularly during their critical socialisation period (between three and 17 weeks of age). To give your young canine companion adequate training and time to socialise, RSPCA NSW recommends taking your dog to Puppy Preschool classes and to off-leash parks to interact with other dogs, but only once your forever friend has been fully vaccinated.
Puppy training is important as it provides mental stimulation, keeps your puppy happy, and provides formative opportunities to learn vital social skills. Remember to reward your puppy’s progress with a treat, pat, or a pleasant, complementary tone. Training should always be based on positive reinforcement training and kindness.
As they grow and adjust to your home, you will need to ensure your puppy:
Canine parvovirus (CPV), or ‘parvo,’ is a highly infectious viral disease that attacks tissues with rapidly dividing cells. The virus is extremely fatal and highly contagious. In the environment, parvo favours hot, humid conditions and can survive in the environment for up to a year. Young puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at greater risk of contracting this disease.
The best way to protect your dog against parvovirus is through vaccination. If you have just acquired a dog – regardless of their age – or if your dog has never been vaccinated against this disease, speak to your local veterinarian to organise a health check and vaccination. We recommend you keep any puppies away from public outdoor areas until she has completed the entire series of essential vaccinations.
Remember that RSPCA NSW is here to help; you can have your dog or puppy vaccinated at any one of our veterinary hospitals.
Emergency preparedness is an essential part of caring for any kind of animal. Including your dog in your household’s emergency and evacuation plans is essential to ensuring the safety of your beloved forever friends. Taking the time to prepare inclusive, comprehensive plans can make all the difference in the world.
RSPCA NSW’s Ready Pet Go Emergency Pack includes a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for crisis situations with your animals’ safety in mind. Having an emergency kit prepared will greatly increase the likelihood of safely evacuating your animals during crisis situations. Your emergency kit should include any items that will help you transport and care for your animal should the need to evacuate arise. This includes:
As the leading animal welfare organisation in the state, RSPCA NSW helps keep communities and animals safe during times of crisis. Our Emergency Response Team is central to our mission, ensuring the safety of people and animals in flood and fire-affected areas.
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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