Deciding To Get A Dog
Training
Toilet Training
Keeping Your Pet Healthy
Dogs and the Law

 

Deciding To Get A Dog

Lifestyle

Do you have the time, suitable accommodation and willingness to care properly for a dog?

Environment

Are there suitable facilities near you to exercise a dog?

Budget

Dogs need a nutritionally balanced diet and will haveto visit the vet for vaccinations and possible emergencies. Do you need additional insurance to cover vet bills or in case your petcauses an accident or damage to property? Can your budget cope with these costs.

 

Training

When Do I Start?

Preferably while it's still a puppy. It's never too late to train but an older dog my need professional help from a dog training class. The Kennel Club can supply a list of clubs or look in your local newspaper or ask at your vet or library.

How Do I Start?

The basic first lessons are:

• walk beside you on and off the lead "heal"
• stay when told "sit" or "sit and stay"
• come when called "come"
• toilet training "clean" or "busy"

Corrections and Rewards

Dogs learn by linking actions and results so if you praise your dog immediately after he does something well, he'll learn to repeat it to get the same result.

 

Toilet Training

Dog owners should not allow their pets to foul indiscriminately in public areas. Toilet training at puppy stage is therefore vital. If, however, your dog should foul in a public place, be prepared to use a "poop-scoop" to clean up the mess.

How To Start

A puppy goes to the toilet very frequentl so begin by putting him outside in a suitable spot as soon as he seems to want to go. Keep repeating this and praise him when he finishes his business in the rightpalce.

Regular Times

Build up regular times to take him out  - in the morning, after a meal and at night.

Going on Command

Once your puppy can use the garden, you need to train him o go on command there so he won't foul in udesirable places.

Use a command word such as "clean" or "busy" just as he is about to go to the toilet. Always use the same tone of voice and praise him when he has finished.

Ideally your dog should be trained to go "at home" but when out in public places, remember to take a "poop-scoop" and clean up after your dog. Many local authorities make these available and provide disposal bins in special dog walking areas.

 

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Register Your Dog With A Local Vet

Don't wait for an emergency! Register your dog now! Details of local vets can be found in the Yellow Pages.

Vaccinations and Worming

Every dog should be protected against potentially fatal diseases.

First vaccinations are given at about 8 weeks. Puppies should not be allowed on the street or mix with other animals until your vet advises.

Always keep your dog's vaccination certificates. You may need them in the future.

Regular booster vaccinations are necessary at least once a year.

Roundworms and tapeworms (intestinal parasites) can affect dogs at any age, so they should be treated regularly for worms. Worms can cause sickness and diarrhoea in young animals but adult dogs may show no signs. Worming is easy, effective and costs little using a worming preparation obtained from your pharmacist, vet or petshop. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Adult worms should be wormed at least every 6 months. Pregnant bitches and bitches with young puppies should be wormed more frequently. It is essential the puppies are wormed when they are about 2 weeks old and then treated at regular intervals until they are at least 6 months old. Always seek veterinary advice before worming your puppy.

Grooming

It is important to keep your dog clean by grooming at least once a week and bathing sporadically. Start at puppy age so it becomes a pleasure not a chore.

Fleas

If you dog gets fleas treat him with a reliable spray, dusting powder or wash. Also clean the areas your dog uses and sleeps in.

Neutering

Unless you are sure you want your bitch to have puppies and you can find good homes for them, you should have her spayed. Your vet will also be able to give you details on hormonal control of seasons. Ask you vet about whether you dog should be neutered.

 

Dogs and the Law

All Dogs Must Wear a Collar and Tag

The tag must bear the name and address of the dog's owner and be clearly displayed.

Local Dog Control Measures

Local authorities are empowered to make local rules known as bye-laws. Bye-laws have the force of law and create criminal offences. Dog control bye-laws can require dogs to be held on leads in certain areas and indeed ban dogs altogether from other areas. In England and Wales bye-laws can also require you to clean up after you dog. This offence is punishable by a fine.

Countryside Code

The main countryside rule is - Dogs Must Never Worry Livestock. Even letting your dog walk in the same field as farm animals may be considered as 'worrying.' Remember the farmer is entitled to kill your dog if it worrying livestock.

Dangerous Dogs

Dogs bred for fighting, such as pit bull terriers, must be kept on a lead by someone who is sixteen or over and must be muzzled in public. No-one may keep these breeds without registering them with the police.

Stray Dogs

You must keep your dog under control at al times. Make sure you know the telephone number for your local authority so that you can contact the dog warden if your dog goes missing. The local authority has the responsibility to collect strays and will chare you for kennelling a dog, so act quickly to ensure you aren't put to unnecessary expense.

Penalties

Penalties for breaking dog rules can be tough and in extreme cases may allow for the destruction of the dog. The courts and police have a range of powers to deal with offenders. For example, owners who allow their dogs to get dangerously out of control - can be imprisoned for up to two years and / or fined.