Becoming a Dog Owner
A DOG IS FOR LIFE…
‘A Dog is for Life, not just for Christmas’, the famous slogan that has become synonymous with the responsibility of dog ownership. It reminds us that a dog is not a toy for our entertainment or a passing fad that can be discarded when it loses its appeal or becomes inconvenient. A dog is a companion that depends on their humans for their every need so they can live a fulfilled life in our world. Taking on the responsibility of a dog is a serious commitment and one that requires careful consideration; can you meet a dogs needs and keep them safe, happy and healthy throughout the course of their life?
A.R.C. deals with dogs who have had the misfortune to find themselves without a home. This could be for several reasons; the most common being an unwanted litter, change of work hours, a new baby or separation in the family or simply a dog becoming too much of a commitment. Occasionally stray dogs come into our care, whose sad circumstances remain unknown.
Dogs may vary in size, shape, age and temperament but they all share the same need for a safe, comfortable and loving environment where they can enjoy the company of their family. Add to this, regular exercise and playtime, a decent diet and good healthcare and you have the basic ingredients required for sharing your life with a dog.
SOME QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN CONSIDERING ADOPTING A DOG…
Can I give a dog the time, commitment and energy that they need and deserve?
It is not about how a dog can fit in with your lifestyle but how you can fit your life in around their needs. They rely on their family for everything.
Do I have the finances to look after a dog?
If your dog needed veterinary care, would you be able to make the financial sacrifice that may be required to ensure their good health?
How long would my dog be left alone?
Consider what your working hours are. Do you travel away a lot? If you cannot give the basic requisite of companionship, then this intelligent and most social of animals is not right for your lifestyle.
Some people believe that a dog is ‘fine’ in a home where he is alone all day but this is far from true.
It is unrealistic to expect people to stay with their dog 24 hours a day and equally, it is also important for a dog to learn to spend some time on their own. We understand that modern life requires us to go about our daily business; however, the important thing to consider is whether you can fully accommodate the social and physical needs of a dog by ensuring that you and your family have the time to spend with your dog.
A dog can never be left alone for long periods (anything over 5 hours on a regular basis). If you do need to leave your dog for a long period, you must enlist the help of others; friends, family or a professional. This should all be in place before taking on a dog.
Is my home environment suitable for a dog?
Can you offer them the basic requirements necessary to ensure their safety and comfort? Remember a dog needs to be part of the family home and not confined to a small area or outdoor kennel.* If you consider moulting, muddy paw prints, scratched flooring, chewing or the occasional unpleasant aroma to be unacceptable, then you should seriously think about whether your home is right for a dog.
A dog won’t care about the décor but will need their home to have enough space to allow them to freely move around in, doors and windows that are secure, a quiet area they can retreat to, areas where he can keep cool or stay warm. He needs a comfortable bed of his own and easy access to his food and water.
*Crates can be useful for short periods when settling dogs into a new home, overnight house training and medical recuperation or as a secure, safe haven for anxious dogs or puppies to relax in. Crates should never be used long-term or as a punishment.
Do I have the right outside environment for a dog?
It is preferable for a dog to have access to a garden or secure outdoor area, so that they can go to the toilet, enjoy regular fresh air and a run-around. A large garden may be better for an energetic dog but not essential if they are getting long walks. Although we believe that most dogs deserve a home with a garden, this does not mean that those families living in a flat are totally discounted. An indoor home may well be the right environment for an older, disabled or less energetic dog. Most importantly, any dog in a flat would need to be taken out more on a very regular basis. An indoor home would not be suitable for a young puppy or a lively dog.
Your garden or outside area needs to be ‘dog proof’. The boundaries need to be impenetrable and high enough to prevent escape. A determined dog can dig deep and jump high! Gates or any access to the road needs to be totally secured at all times.
Can I walk a dog at least twice a day?
Because that’s what a dog will need, including one decent off-the-lead run and preferably regular access to a garden. As intelligent animals, they will need stimulation in the form of play, socialisation and training.
Is this the right time to settle a new dog or puppy into my life?
It will require a great deal of time and effort, but will be very rewarding too. Are there likely to be any major changes in your life in the near future, such as moving house, building work, changing jobs, getting married or having a baby? If so, then it would be fairer to wait until your life is more settled.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF DOG
Dogs vary greatly in their type and it is important to do your research in order to find out which age, size, breed, sex and temperament, is suitable for your home, family and lifestyle. Find out information about breed types from books and the internet. A.R.C. will also help you chose the right dog for your lifestyle. Here are some major considerations:
- Do you have the space for a big dog or does a smaller dog fit into your lifestyle better?
- Do you have the time to train and socialise a puppy or an un-trained dog (including house training)?
- Do you have the experience to handle a dog with behavioural issues?
- Do you need a dog that is particularly good with children, dogs or other animals?
- Are you strong enough to handle a large, powerful dog?
- Can you afford to feed a large dog?
- Do you want a dog that requires lots of exercise or one that requires less?
- How much grooming are you prepared to do?
- Do you need a non-moulting breed (e.g. is there an allergy in the family)?
- Is the sex of a dog a consideration, (e.g. is your female dog better with male dogs)?
MIXED BREEDS
Often people chose dogs based on status, without appreciating the unique characteristics and benefits of a mixed breed dog. In general, when comparing mixed breed and purebred dogs of similar size, the mixed breed dog will outlive the purebred. This comes down to the fact that most purebred dogs are inbred which creates health problems that shorten their lives.
Breeders of purebred dogs contribute to pet overpopulation by irresponsible breeding. Stop the cycle and adopt, don’t shop.
COSTS
It is also important to consider the financial costs involved when taking on a dog. Apart from the initial donation of adopting, the first set of vaccinations, a smart new lead and collar, the financial commitment continues throughout a dog’s life. It is important to consider the following costs:
- Annual check-ups and booster vaccinations
- Neutering
- Routine healthcare, such as monthly treatments for fleas and worms
- Unexpected veterinary fees for illness or accidents
- Pet Insurance
- Good quality food and treats – We recommend Royal Canin & Hills Science Plan
- Identification: tags and micro-chipping
- Grooming
- Holiday boarding or dog sitters/walkers
- Training classes
- Equipment: collars and leads, bedding and toys
WHERE TO FIND YOUR NEW COMPANION
Please give a home to a rescue dog or puppy, as there are thousands of unwanted dogs across the UK. Please take a look at our dogs waiting for their forever homes.
If we don’t have the dog you’re looking for please do get in touch and we can notify you when a suitable dog comes or alternatively, you can visit www.dogsblog.com, a re-homing platform for UK dog rescues, Many Tears Rescue or Rescue Remedies.
If after reading this thoroughly, you have decided that offering a home to a dog is for you and your family, CONGRATULATIONS; this is where your wonderful journey together begins.
Please also read Settling in Your New Dog or Puppy and Neutering & Health Care in the tabs above.
Settling in Your Dog or Puppy
PREPARING FOR THE NEW ARRIVAL
There are a few basic things you will need to get ready prior to the arrival of your new dog or puppy:
Collar
All our dogs are microchipped but we also advise on a collar and identity tag with your phone number, house number and postcode. We do not recommend putting your dog’s name on the disc, as someone wanting to take them can use this to entice them.
Lead
Please take a lead with you when collecting your new dog and if you are travelling by car, you need to consider a specially designed travel harness or crate.
Food and Water
You new dog will need a food bowl and a separate water bowl – stainless steel or ceramic is preferable to plastic. Fresh water must be available at all times. Try and find out before you collect your dog/puppy what food they have been eating and if they have any dietary requirements. Even if you decide to try a different brand/type of food in the future, it is a good idea to wean them off their current diet by gradually introducing the new diet. We recommend Royal Canin and Hills Complete food brands.
Bed
a dog needs somewhere warm, cosy and comfortable to call his own, where they can rest and to feel secure. It can be a basket, a plastic bed, a foam bed or an old duvet in a box – as long as it’s warm, cosy and comfortable to call their own in an area that doesn’t get too hot, cold or draughty.
Soft Toy / Heat Pad
This is only necessary for a young puppy, who may like a big, soft toy to snuggle up to and a heat pad, to imitate the warmth of his siblings or his mum.
Toys
All dogs love toys like a chewy bone, a ball or a soft toy. Dogs love to chew but a teething puppy in particular, will need a constant supply of chewing toys. Make sure toys are fit for purpose and not cheap ones that are going to disintegrate into bits that a puppy or dog can choke on.
HOME & FAMILY INTRODUCTIONS
When introducing your dog/puppy to his new home, try to choose a few quiet days. If you have a busy household with young children, make sure that they are all very aware of the need for calm around the new guest. Of course you will have friends and family who want to visit but give your dog some time to adjust to their new surroundings before meeting new people.
Show your dog the important things first…the special place where their bed is, where their food and water are and the outside area where they can ‘go to the toilet’. Indicate the ‘toilet’ area by taking them there and encouraging them by using a one word command (the term used is up to you) while they sniff around. Your dog may or may not want to toilet but if they do give lots of praise and a treat. It is highly likely in these early days for your new dog, especially if it is a puppy, to have the occasional ‘accident’ indoors. If they do, do not shout or punish them but simply interrupt calmly and take them to the ‘right’ place with lots of encouragement. If you have a puppy, then you may want to invest in puppy training pads and certainly in copious amounts of newspaper, kitchen towel, not forgetting poop bags, pet disinfectant and a mop!
Now it’s time to meet and greet their new family. Don’t crowd around the dog, use quiet voices and let them sniff around and approach everyone in turn as they investigate their new environment. It goes without saying that offering a few little treats will speed up the ‘bonding’ process! If you have young children, remind them that they need to be quiet and calm around their new pet and let them come to them.
INTRODUCING OTHER PETS
Introducing other pets needs to be handled with care.
When first introducing to a resident dog, both dogs should meet on neutral territory away from the house. Let them slowly approach each other and then sniff each other while safely on leads. If there is no sign of hostility, then let the resident dog lead his new ‘sibling’ inside the home. All being well, you can let both dogs off the lead after entering the house but under supervision. All the while, you need to make a great fuss of the resident dog and give some treats to both (resident dog first).
To a certain extent the dogs will sort the hierarchy out themselves but keep an eye on their behaviour together in these early days and do not leave them alone together. You will need to have prepared a confined area or crate with your new dog/puppy’s bed with food and water, so you can separate them when they are left unsupervised. It might take a few days or weeks to fully accept each other. Monitor them at feeding time initially too, keeping their food and water bowls apart and feeding the resident dog first.
Show great caution when introducing cats or other animals, again take care to make a fuss of the resident animal and don’t leave your pets and new dog/puppy alone in the early days – use a confined area or keep doors closed. Initially they may show some fear or hostility or try to chase or play; this is perfectly natural. Do not shout or punish your dog for this, as they will associate this negative response with the pet in question. However, ground rules need to be put in place on day one:
- Do not allow chasing; stop them in their tracks by distracting them
- Reward them immediately when they display calm behaviour in the presence of other animals
- Keep litter trays and pet feeding stations out of reach – dogs are not discerning when it comes to accessible grub!
TRAINING
Owning a poorly behaved (untrained) dog can be very stressful and is often the reason why people re-home their dogs. Basic training is important to ensure that your dog knows how to behave appropriately, so that they can keep safe, understand what is expected of them and enjoy being accepted into society.
Essential basic skills:
- Re-call (coming back to you when called)
- Sit and stay
- Walking to heel and not pulling on the lead
- Relinquishing toys, chews etc. to prevent possessiveness
- Gentle play to prevent accidental biting
- Not jumping up
- Understanding ‘leave!’ and ‘drop!’
- Learning to accept being handled, having paws or ears etc. touched – good preparation for going to vet
There are lots of books and videos to help you but we highly recommend attending some training classes with your new dog or puppy socialisation/training classes if you have a young puppy. As well as being highly enjoyable, training can also be a great bonding tool between dog and human. Many dogs also enjoy taking part in agility classes.
TOILET TRAINING
Dogs are generally clean animals and will choose to go to the toilet away from their sleeping and living area. However, it is up to us to show them where the right place to go actually is – outside.
If your new dog has been housetrained already, they will learn where to go pretty much straight away…just show them the way to the garden! If you have a puppy/untrained dog, you will need to build your routine around their needs initially. Make sure they have frequent opportunities to go outside during the day and physically take them after every meal, upon waking, after play, exercise or a period of excitement and just before bedtime. Choose a specific command that they will associate with this activity and use it in a positive tone. Very young puppies will require hourly reminders. Remember, always praise and reward any ’successful performance’ and never scold.
Please also read Becoming a Dog Owner and Neutering & Health Care in the tabs above.
Neutering & Health Care
A.R.C. neuters all dogs before they are re-homed, if they are old enough. If a puppy is too young to be neutered then A.R.C. will ensure that a neutering agreement is signed on adoption. Neutering your pet is by far the most responsible thing you can do.
The main benefits of neutering are as follows:
- Prevents pregnancy. There are thousands of unwanted puppies and dogs in the UK. Many of these dogs are destroyed every year, as there are simply not enough homes. Neutering your dog is the only way to stop this cycle
- Prevents females coming into season and attracting the unwanted attention of determined male dogs, which is as frustrating for the male dogs as it is for the females!
- Prevents the mess caused by a female’s season
- Prevents inbreeding – mating between immediate family members, which can lead to offspring with defects (no, dogs don’t respect these boundaries)
- Prevents the risk of uterine infections and cancers in females and testicular cancer in males
- Reduces the need for scent marking, aggressive behaviour and the undesirable conduct of mounting people’s legs in male dogs!
Neutering is a simple operation performed under general anaesthetic by a vet. In males it is called ‘castration’ and involves the removal of the testes. In females, the procedure is called ‘spaying’ and involves removal of the uterus and ovaries. It is a more invasive operation for a female and requires a longer recovery period.
The age that a puppy can be neutered varies between breeds, but it should be done as soon as possible, ranging from approx. 5-6 mths of age, guided by your vet.
GENERAL WELFARE
Diet
Every dog is different and will have particular preferences and requirements when it comes to their food but all dogs require a well-balanced, good quality diet and need to be fed at least once a day.
Your dog’s diet will also change throughout the course of their life. As a youngster they will need a puppy food that contains the right level of nutrients required for growth and development. If you have taken on an over-weight dog, then he will need a low fat, calorie controlled diet food. Nowadays, every type of pet diet is catered for, including veterinary diets for certain medical conditions such as kidney disease.
We would strongly recommend that you opt for a quality dry complete food and if you would like your dog to have the added option of meat/wet food, then incorporate small amounts of this too.
We (as do vet practitioners) recommend Royal Canin and Hills Complete.
Most dogs are fed between once and twice a day. Always read the manufacturer’s feeding instructions, dependant on your dog’s weight. A balanced diet will only keep your dog fit and healthy when combined with the appropriate level of exercise required.
Some human foods such as dark chocolate and onions are poisonous to dogs.
Your dog must have constant access to fresh drinking water.
Exercise
As with diet, the amount of exercise your dog requires will vary according to his age, breed and health. There are a few common rules though…
Exercise, walking and playing is not just about maintaining the physical health of your dog/puppy; it is also an essential part of their mental well-being. Dogs are social, playful animals; the greatest connection they have with their environment is via their sense of smell. Think ‘Facebook’ for dogs; they need to network with each other, find out who’s been doing what and where and make new friends! A dog likes to sniff everything because the scents left behind are like a noticeboard full of messages and clue. Dogs like to have a good run around, let off steam and they love to play. It is an essential part of weight control and general health and fitness. Walks are also a great bonding time for you and your dog.
When puppies are growing and their bones and muscles are developing, they only need short, gentle walks of 15 minutes or so, in order to build up their stamina gradually and allow their soft bones to strengthen. Be patient! Don’t be tempted to take your new puppy on a long hike, throwing their ball as you go, as this could cause damage to their joints and bones, affecting them later in adulthood.
Most adult dogs require at least one good, long, off-lead walk of about 1-2 hours and another short walk. Finally…don’t forget to ‘scoop the poop’ ALWAYS! Never leave the house without a handful of poo bags!
ROUTINE HEALTH CARE
Vaccinations
All dogs need to have the primary course of vaccinations, which consists of two vaccinations, 2-3 weeks apart. Puppies can have this done from 9 weeks old (some vets vary on the starting age, so follow your own vet’s advice). A puppy should not come in contact with other dogs who may be unvaccinated or be walked in areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been, until the full course of vaccinations has been completed. To remain effective, a booster vaccination is required annually which will tie in with your dog’s yearly check up.
The vaccination protects against the following diseases:
CANINE PARVOVIRUS – causes heart failure and gastroenteritis.
CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS – causes fever, diarrhoea and convulsions.
LEPTOSPIROSIS – causes renal failure, liver disease and anaemia.
INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITUS – causes severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and can be fatal within 24 hrs.
If your dog is to be spending time in kennels then they may also be given a vaccine for Kennel Cough, which is administered into the nostrils. If travelling abroad, then a rabies vaccination is required under the Pet Travel Scheme.
A vaccine course (2 vaccines) costs approximately £65
Worms & Fleas
Fleas are pesky little insects that hop around a dog’s skin, biting and sucking blood…nasty! The ‘hopping’ is irritating enough, causing itching but some dogs can have an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva, which can cause excessive itching and chewing, leading to bleeding and infected skin. Fleas particularly like to pick the sensitive parts of a dog, such as behind the ears, on the tummy and the base of the tail. If you see your dog itching repeatedly here, take a closer look and you will no doubt see a leaping flea, a flea bite or flea dirt (tiny black specks amongst his fur). Don’t forget that fleas are partial to biting some humans too!
We suggest using Stronghold every 4 weeks for your dog. We do not recommend that you buy the cheap, shop brands from your supermarket. Please ask your vet for a prescription.
Worms are internal parasites that live in a dog’s intestines and sometimes tissue but they can also migrate to other parts of the body. The most common are tapeworms and roundworms but there are also other worms such as heartworms and hookworms. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, so it is important to treat both forms of parasite simultaneously. Some types of worms can pass to humans and between pets if left untreated and if basic rules of hygiene are not kept. Infected animals do not necessarily show outward signs of worm infestation but symptoms can be: your dog losing weight (the worms are eating his food), distended abdomen, dry fur, increased appetite and diarrhoea.
Worm treatments normally come in the form of small tablets or syrup, which are administered orally every 3-4 months. In young puppies, the worming treatment is given more frequently between 2-12 weeks of age.
Grooming
All dogs need some level of grooming to keep their skin and coats in the best condition. Regular brushing also helps with the effects of moulting in your home environment.
Dogs have varying types of coat, which will dictate the frequency of the grooming and the equipment required. Some shorthaired dogs may just need a soft brush, while wire-haired or longhaired dogs may require a stripping comb. Some breeds such as Poodles are non-moulting and will require regular, professional clipping to prevent matting. A good pet shop or your vet will advise on the best grooming regime for your dog.