Tips for Keeping your Dog Healthy and Safe
Here are some recommendations for keeping your dog safe, healthy, and happy....
Early Training
Training your dog takes time and costs money, but it's
an education that will reward you and your pet for its remaining years. Training teaches
you and your dog how to communicate. It's a foundation for understanding, growth and respect.
A trained dog is happier because it is challenged mentally, and it understands someone else is in
charge (a huge relief to almost every dog). Training teaches your dog it must follow your
commands every time - which increases your pet's safety and welfare. A good trainer is a
wealth of information - a person who will help improve day to day life with your dog,
troubleshoot current and future problems, and bring you to a whole new understanding of what makes your dog tick.
'New Dog' 3 Day Leash Supervision
Any dog that is a new addition to your
family should be closely supervised "on leash" for its first 3 days in the home. This allows the owner(s)
and dog to develop a stronger bond, keeps the dog in view where any problem behaviors can be
addressed, better acclimates the dog to it's new environment, and helps to teach the dog your
house rules. Unsupervised dogs can get into mischief, get injured, or bite a child or other pet.
Take time to get to know your dog, then gradually allow more freedoms as appropriate.
Crates
Obviously you can't watch your new dog for 24 hours a day.
At times when you aren't able to do so, your dog should have its own crate. A crate is not
a cage or punishment, rather it becomes your dog's den and area of refuge. As your relationship
progresses, a crate may not always be necessary, but you'll find many dogs still enjoy them.
Dogs that are not crated when owners can't supervise may get into poisons, electrical wires, and
other hazards around the home. Crates help reduce anxiety and decrease the time needed to
house train puppies. NEVER leave any collars on your dog when it is in a crate as they pose a choking hazard.
Spay/Neuter
Many people still have reservations about this.
Unless you plan to begin breeding dogs there is absolutely NO advantage to keeping your
pet intact. In fact, it dramatically increases the likelihood of health and behavioral issues.
If you are planning to breed your dog, please consider that it's a hard, expensive, and
time consuming venture when done properly. If you still want to breed responsibly, please
seek an experienced breeder who can mentor you.
Do Not Tolerate Inappropriate Behaviors
The vast majority of
behavioral problems start out small. Begin thinking about what you will and won't
allow your pet to do. A puppy that's play biting may seem harmless, but it's learning
that putting teeth on people is ok and opens the door to future problems. The dog that
jumps on you to say hello may be friendly, but you won't like it when his paws are muddy
or he jumps on an elderly relative. You need to set rules and apply them consistently from
an early age. Look into your pet's future - as it grows in size and strength, think about
whether a behavior could be problematic. It's best to disallow any bad behaviors from hour
1, even if you never formerly train your dog.
Break-Away Collars
Thousands of dogs are injured or
strangled by their collars each and every year. Just because you're dog is older and
has never had a problem doesn't mean it couldn't happen tomorrow. There's a great
deal of information and very good collars on this site. My dogs wear only these collars
unless we're training or working, where they're under my direct supervision.
Early Handling
Your dog should be used to your touch for
regular care including grooming, tooth brushing, nail trimming, medications, etc.
It's best to start early with your dog to make certain it doesn't develop any bad
behaviors. Especially in a home with children, a tail or ear pull should never result
in a growl or bite.
Food and Toys
From day one you should be teaching your
dog that you can touch him, his food bowl, and his food while he is eating.
Growling or snapping is a problem that will only get worse and should never be
tolerated. Adult dogs are best fed 2 times / day (unless recommended otherwise
by your Vet). Feeding only 1 time / day increases the chances of gastric torsion,
a life threatening condition seen most often in larger breeds.
Avoid any and all natural toy products for your dog. Rawhide, pig's ears, hooves, and the like, are often processed overseas. They may contain various contaminants and toxins, and even when safely processed can cause intestinal blockages or choking. Natural bones may splinter and injure your pet. All natural toys increase the likelihood of toy possessiveness which can lead to aggression. Fabric, leather and soft plastic toys will confuse your dog since they taste and feel the same as furniture, rugs, shoes, etc.
Kongs and Nylabone products are best.
Dog Parks
A lot of well-intentioned dog lovers are proponents of dog parks, but you should consider some of their potential problems. Anytime dogs are meeting other dogs, those meetings should be well supervised. This doesn't always happen at dog parks. Dog "bullies" and "overly-excited" dogs may roam free in these parks and jump, stalk, or challenge well behaved dogs. In one visit these good dogs can become nervous, fearful, aggressive, injured, or worse.
If your dog is already "pushy" or poorly behaved, unsupervised environments generally make those problems worse. By strengthening pack and prey instincts, dog park visits can quickly reduce an owner's leadership role in the home, undermine training efforts, and increases the likelihood of serious behavioral problems. It's fine for dogs to be around other dogs, but owners must maintain control or everyone loses.
Adopt or Buy a Dog on Personality, Not Looks
Having a dog
is a long commitment. It can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life,
or a burden. Far too many people adopt or buy a dog based solely on its looks.
Your parents probably mentioned that looks are fleeting. Do some research to
learn what breeds may be a good match to your family and lifestyle. Whether you're
going to adopt or buy, spend time with the actual dog you're considering to develop a sense of its personality and temperament. Doing this can save both you and the dog a lot of heartache.