Responsible dog ownership
Training your dog
A dog who's been taught a few simple rules will become a well-adjusted and well-behaved family pet. If your newly adopted dog doesn't have his commands down, now's as good a time as any to remedy that!
Your new addition needs to be taught manners and the rules of the household. From the time you bring him home from the shelter, he must be taught not to bite or chew humans - even in play. He must be taught that unnecessary barking is not allowed.
The key to training a dog of any age is to realize that he really does want to please you. Praise and reward your dog for appropriate behaviour and use a stern "No" command when you wish to correct his behaviour.
If it's more than you can handle on your own, find an obedience class or a trainer. Many vets and pet supply stores also offer training classes. This will provide instruction on training your dog to obey basic commands such as stay, down, and to come when called, but also allows him to socialize with other dogs.
On grooming
Regular grooming is a must to keep your dog looking and feeling his best. Naturally, long haired or densely coated breeds require brushing more frequently than short haired dogs. Some breeds require regular professional clipping. Your veterinarian can assist with cutting nails and cleaning teeth, and show you how to do some of this yourself.
A regular grooming ritual is also a great bonding experience for you and your new dog, especially if he hasn't been treated well in his past. It feels good, and it shows him how much you love and appreciate him.
Walk the walk
As a general rule, dogs need regular walking for physical and mental stimulation. When walking your dog he should be kept on a leash and you must observe all local regulations.
Comply with the regulations concerning registering your dog with your local authorities and be sure that your dog wears his license tag and identification at all times.
Your dog should never be allowed to wander or roam freely.
Stoop & scoop
As a responsible dog owner, you should always carry plastic bags when you walk your dog. A good way to remember to do this is to purchase a small, but durable "dog bag" and hang it in the same place as your dog's leash.
The bag might contain a supply of poop-scoop bags, maybe a toy for the park, some grooming implements, and some emergency cash. It's also a good place for your keys and cell phone, if you have one. Once you get into the habit of bringing your dog bag whenever you take him out, you'll rarely forget.
Lost dogs
Unfortunately, dogs sometimes do get lost, and it can be heartbreaking. But it's also easily preventable. Make sure your dog always wears a collar and an identification tag with your telephone number. For extra insurance you can get him micro-chipped at your vet's. Be sure he always wears his matching microchip ID with his other tags.
Confine your dog during thunderstorms and fireworks displays. If your dog is lost, check with your neighbours, local veterinary clinics, animal welfare organizations, and shelters. Check with these organizations in the neighbouring suburbs - lost animals may travel some distance.
If he's been micro-chipped, contact the company he's registered with. And continue to contact all of these locations daily until your dog is found.
Away from home
Although many people prefer not to part with their pets during holidays, sometimes it can't be avoided. So you need to consider how best to care for your dog while you're away. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend a few reputable kennels. Make preparations well in advance for major holidays.
In order to kennel your dog, his vaccinations must be up to date. If you're only absent for a few days, you may arrange for a neighbour or a home pet sitting service to visit and feed your dog. Some companies provide all inclusive services. They'll live in your home and take care of your dog while you're away.
Dogs & kids
A dog can truly be a child's best friend if the child and the dog are taught how to play together. Running and chasing games with children and the dog should always be supervised by an adult until an understanding has developed between the dog and child. Dogs can be loyal and trustworthy companions but if your dog is not used to children, he should be introduced to them under careful supervision.
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Puppy Feeding Guidelines
What’s the best food for your puppy? How much and how often? All the breeds are so different, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.Small stomach, big appetitePuppies need to eat a lot of food in relation to their body weight to fuel all that growing they’re doing. But until their stomach grows too, they’ll need to have several small meals a day. The directions on the tin, pouch or bag should help you get the right portion size. (If your puppy’s not finishing their bowl within 20 minutes, you’re probably giving them too much.)Your puppy's condition is the best indicator of whether you’re feeding the correct amount. When the vet checks their weight, they’ll be able to confirm if your puppy’s growing at a healthy rate or whether you need to adjust their diet. What makes a good puppy food?A good puppy food will be specially balanced to meet your puppy’s energy, protein and mineral needs. It should be easy to digest to suit your puppy's immature stomach. So make sure you choose a food that's specially designed to suit puppies, rather than adult or senior dogs.And, of course, it must be tasty enough to enjoy.Are supplements necessary?No. Too much phosphorus or calcium can cause deformities, so don’t use supplements except on your vet’s advice.The danger of overfeedingOverfeeding will put too much stress on your puppy’s rapidly developing bones and joints and could result in permanent damage.Plenty of clean, fresh waterMake sure your puppy always has clean, fresh water available. If you notice that they’re thirsty all the time, consult your vet.
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Weaning Puppies: Puppy to Adult Food
Puppies grow very quickly, so they need specialist puppy food with extra energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus. Switching them to an adult diet too early can result in bone and joint abnormalities.How do you know the right time to switch to adult food? You need to wait until your dog is physically mature. As a rough guide this will be:- 9-12 months for toy, small and medium breeds like Chihuahuas and Springer Spaniels;- 12-15 months for large breeds like Labradors and Retrievers; and- 18-24 months for giant breeds like Great Danes and Newfoundlands.If you’re unsure when to switch your puppy over to adult dog food, you can always check with your vet.Click here to learn more about feeding your puppy.
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Want to try a different puppy food?
It’s always best to start your puppy off on the food they’re used to – after all, their life has already changed a lot in a short time. But if you decide that you’d rather change to another brand, or from wet to dry (or vice versa) what’s the best way to go about it?Dogs are creatures of habit – especially on the inside. Once their digestive system has got used to a particular food, it needs time to adjust to something new. A sudden change can produce vomiting and diarrhoea.But while it’s not sensible to offer your puppy a different food every day, it’s sometimes unavoidable – for example, when they get older, they’ll need to switch onto an adult food. Changing gradually is the key. Each day, mix a little more of the new food into his meals, until, after about a week, the new food has completely replaced the old one.
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Problem-free mealtimes for puppies
Puppies need a consistent feeding routine. You can ensure their mealtimes are problem-free with these tips.Small dogs eat less food than adult dogs but eat more often. Give your puppy the same number of meals each day, as follows:Small puppies: 4 to 5 small meals a day until they’re 10 weeks old. From 10 weeks to 5 months: 3 meals a day.After the 5th or 6th month: 2 meals a day.Your puppy’s internal tummy clock will start their digestive juices going at their usual dinnertime, whether you’ve put out their food or not. Unless you stick to a routine they won’t be hungry when you put their food out. And waiting too long could give your puppy tummy problems.Choose heavy-bottomed ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls. Plastic bowls will probably end up as chew toys, and the tooth marks could become a haven for bacteria and cause damage to the teeth and gums. A heavy bowl will also be harder for your puppy (and you) to knock over by accident.Make sure your puppy’s not disturbed while eating or they’ll get used to eating in fits and starts, or begin spreading their food around the house.Give them up to 30 minutes to eat their meal. After that, take away any uneaten food and serve fresh food at the next meal. Fresh water must be available all the time.After eating, your puppy may need some peace and quiet or a nap to help them digest their food properly. So plan exercise for before, not after, their mealtime!
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