Basic Dog Care

K9 180

Basic Dog Care

Dogs are social animals and need to be an integrated part of their family spending as much time with other members both human and animal in the home. Isolating dogs from daily interaction can lead to numerous and serious behavioral and potential health problems.

1. Nutrition
   1. Access to fresh and clean drinking water. Limiting your dog's water intake will not prevent your dog from urinating in the house and can result in health problems.
   2. Appropriate food that meets the dog's needs.
      1. Dry Kibble that is ideally animal based protein that meets the life stage of your dog (puppy, adult, or all life stages). Check out www.dogfoodadvisor.com and remember a quality dog food is not necessarily the most expensive.
      2. Canned food can be mixed with dry kibble or fed on its own but tends to be more expensive than dry kibble. Again it should meet your dog's life stage.
      3. Home-cooked diets can offer optimal nutrition and quality control however it is very important to have a veterinarian or animal nutritionist ensure that the meals you prepare will meet your dog's needs.
      4. RAW diets can also provide your dog with ideal nutrition but proper handling of raw meat is necessary to avoid illness. Specific guidelines provided by a veterinarian or animal nutritionist is important to avoid serious health problems from incorrect mineral and vitamin imbalances.
2. Shelter
   1. Inside your dog should have a “puppy-proof” safe area where they do not need to be supervised but are protected from the elements and any dangers.
      1. Crating your dog is an easy and safe place for your dog to be while gone. Ensure that your dog's crate is a happy place to be and safe. Do not leave blankets or stuffed toys with a dog that may chew them up and ingest them.
      2. Exercise pens are especially great for puppies, smaller dogs, and even larger dogs that are trained to stay in them.
      3. Dog safe rooms are acceptable but truly need to be dog proof.
   2. Outside your dog needs a secure area where they can not escape and are safe from other animals or people. This makes fully fenced dog safe yards ideal. Include a shelter that provides them a climate controlled environment and protection from weather.
   3. Multiple dogs should not be left alone together. While your dogs may seem great together even we don't always get along with family and friends. You do not want to be gone when the one time your dogs fight over a toy, bone, or something outside the window potentially leading to injury or worse. If you choose to make an exception be honest that you understand not all scenarios can be predicted.
3. Veterinary Care
   1. Vaccinations
      1. DHPP (distemper) vaccine provides protection against canine distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and adenovirus.
         1. Leptospirosis maybe included in this vaccine but is only recommended for at risk dogs. Caution should be given as this vaccine can cause serious reactions in puppies and smaller dogs.
         2. Coronavirus is used in this combination in some areas that are higher risk.
      2. Rabies vaccine is necessary for human and animal health.
      3. Lyme vaccines are available in high risk areas mainly the Northeast.
   2. Parasite Control
      1. Heartworm disease is widespread in the United States and is potentially life threatening. Annual testing is recommended and monthly heartworm prevention necessary to protect against infection.
      2. Intestinal parasites are checked for annual via a microscopic examination of a stool sample. Many heartworm preventatives also provide protection from common intestinal parasites some of which can be a human health hazard.
      3. Flea and tick control is extremely important for your dog's health and comfort. It is very important to only use flea and tick products recommended by your veterinarian or those containing the safest of ingredients. Many over-the-counter products contain ingredients that are potentially dangerous to humans and animals resulting in serious side effects including death.
4. Exercise
   1. Physical exercise includes any activity where the dog is in motion.
      1. Activity level is different for each dog based on age, breed, health status, and individual personality of your dog. Ensure that your dog is fit and healthy before starting vigorous exercise activities.
      2. Types of outdoor exercise
         1. Walking/jogging/running within your dog's fitness level.
         2. Hiking and they even make backpacks your dog can wear and carry their own food, water, and equipment. Add light weights in it for walks around the neighborhood.
         3. Bicycling with your dog can be done by holding your dog's leash or using a dog leash bicycle attachment. Training is needed to ensure your dog's comfort.
         4. Swimming in safe and dog friendly areas. Avoid strong currents.
         5. Agility training, remember not to work your dog on the same equipment every day or just like us they can get injuries.
         6. Fetch with a ball, frisbee, or retrieving dummy.
      3. Indoor dog exercise
         1. Playing fetch up and down the stairs or hallway.
         2. Treadmills are just as beneficial for your dog on days when the weather isn't nice outside as they are for you. Make sure your dog is trained properly and has an appropriate sized treadmill (some human treadmills are not long enough for the strides of medium and larger dogs).
         3. Hide and seek or “find it” games.
         4. Teaching your dog to jump through a hula hoop or over your legs.
         5. Canine body conditioning has many indoor friendly exercises.
         6. Doggie daycare or a play date with a friend or family member's dog. Ensure that they meet first on neutral ground before inviting a new dog into your home or taking your dog to someone else.
         7. Visit a pet store or any store that allows dogs. Never try to pass your dog off as a service animal if they are not a trained and provided a needed service.
   2. Mental Exercise
      1. Training your dog in obedience, tricks, tracking, agility, freestyle, or any areas you can think of challenges your dog mentally helping to keep them happy and balanced. Plus training time helps to build the bond between you and your dog.
      2. Food puzzles are an excellent way to challenge your dog and don't require your immediate attention. Kongs stuffed with dry kibble mixed with some canned food and frozen can provide a great deal of busy work for your dog. This is a great alternative to just feeding your dog the same food over and over out of a bowl.
      3. Socialization with other people, dogs, and animals can be a lot of fun. Make sure that your dog is comfortable in the social situation and enjoying themselves. Don't force your dog to be around unruly or aggressive dogs, people, or other animals. It's your job to keep your dog safe and know when they've had enough.
   3. Toys
      1. Unsupervised toys means they are safe for your dog to play with when you are not there. Ensure you watch your dog with any toy before leaving them alone. Routinely check all chew toys for wear and tear replacing them as needed.
         1. Kong toys, always ensure you get the correct size and strength for your dog. The blue Kongs are recommended as they are the strongest and show up on x-ray.
         2. GoughNuts are very tough and come in different shapes, sizes, and strengths.
         3. West Paw Designs also makes some very tough toys.
         4. Orbee makes balls and bone shaped toys.
         5. Jolly Ball without the handle or rope toy.
         6. Food puzzles such as Kong Wobbler and Buster Cubes should only be left with a dog when you know your dog will not destroy them.
         7. Varsity balls and Best balls are great but extremely hard and can injure dogs that play too long or rough with them. In addition once these types of balls are scratched sharp plastic can stick out and cause injury.
      2. Supervised interactive toys are for you to play and interact with your dog and should never be left alone for your dog to destroy.
         1. Tug toys especially ones used for training dogs for Schutzhund or bite work sports are high quality and won't fall apart as quickly as a rope toy.
         2. Tennis balls for playing fetch should never be left for a dog to chew on as they are easy to destroy and the felt can damage teeth over time.
         3. Frisbees are a lot of fun but should be replaced at the first signs of wear to avoid injury and are not a chew toy.
         4. Retrieving dummies and sticks are a fun alternative to regular fetch toys and many float providing extra fun but are not designed for chewing.
      3. Caution and potential danger is associated with the use of rawhides, nylabones, greenies, dental sticks, some latex toys, stuffed toys, rocks, and sticks can be easily destroyed and or swallowed in large pieces potentially causing choking, upset stomach, diarrhea, lodging in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to illness, injury, and possible death.
5. Socialization and Desensitizing
   1. Socialize your dog with other people, places, animals, dogs, sounds, sights, and smells. The more positive exposure your dog has the more balanced and happier they will be.
   2. Critical socialization period for puppies is between 8-12 or 16 weeks of age (socialization through the first year however is still very important). Without proper socialization irreversible behavior problems can develop.
   3. Desensitizing your dog to specific handling will make grooming and veterinary care easier.
      1. Brushing your dog's teeth will reduce the risk of dental disease which can require expensive dental cleanings from your veterinarian.
      2. Handling your dog's ears is important especially in the event that you need to medicate your dog's ears.
      3. Nail trims require handling of your dog's paws so teaching them shake and getting them comfortable with you holding on to their paws. Don't forget to include the back ones!
      4. Brushes, combs, and clippers maybe needed depending on your dog's coat but getting them excited about seeing grooming equipment from and early age makes things easy.