Caring for your dog

Cartoon image of dog and owner

Puppies and dogs, like all animals need five things to be healthy and happy; environment, company, diet, behaviour and health. Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) all owners need to provide these five things for the pets they keep. The sections below give information on how to meet the five welfare needs for puppies and dogs.

Environment

• A cosy bed is important for dogs and should be kept in a quiet, dry, draught-free area.  Make sure you choose one that can be cleaned easily and thoroughly, this needs to be done regularly.
• Part of providing a suitable environment is making it clean and hygienic.  Dog faeces can transmit diseases, as well as parasites such as worms.  Make sure you clean up after your dog using a plastic bag, especially if there are children around.  Dog owners and people responsible for dogs have a legal obligation to do this when in a public place, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Company

• Dogs are very social animals, meaning they don't like to be alone.  A dog needs plenty of human company and it's important that they are not left routinely for more than 4 hours a day.  Dogs left for long periods of time can become bored and start to bark or become destructive in the house.
• If you go on holiday you need to arrange for someone responsible to care for your dog. Kennels, petsitter, friends or family could look after them. Well run kennels would need your dog to be vaccinated. Petsitters come to your home to look after your dog, you can find a petsitter through the National Association of Registered Petsitters. Call 0845 230 8544 or visit www.dogsit.com.

Diet

• Puppies are usually ready to eat solid food when they are 5 weeks old.
• Puppies need 4 meals a day but this can be reduced to 3 times a day around 12 weeks old.  At 6 months they can have two meals a day which can continue for the rest of their life.
• Dogs are best fed according to their life stage, this means feeding a different diet depending on whether your dog is a puppy, adult or senior, because dogs of different ages have different nutrient requirements.
• The amount you feed your dog is very important, follow the feeding guidelines to make sure you are getting it right. Too little or too much food can lead to health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
• Treats can be given to dogs but they should be used as a training aid and be counted as part of their daily allowance. Carrots can be given as a healthy alternative.

Behaviour

• Socialisation is very important especially at the puppy stage.  It is all about letting them meet with people and other animals, letting them experience different sights and sounds.  Your dog's behaviour and temperament will be determinded in the puppy stages and will affect their behaviour for the rest of their life.
• Training is a great way to keep your dog's mind active and helps to make sure you and your dog understand each other, especially when you are out together.  The key to successful training is to make it fun!  The kindest and most effective method is called reward-based training, to find a trainer in your area for help and advice on this, visit www.apdt.co.uk
• Toys are an excellent way of keeping your dog mentally happy. Keep some stored away, so that you can use different toys in different weeks, this will help to keep the toys interesting and give you a chance to clean them. 
• Exercise is very important, the amount needed varies according to the age, breed and health of a dog.  Your vet is the best person to advise on how much exercise your dog should be getting.

Health 

• When you get a dog you should register with a local veterinary practice straight away. Make an appointment as soon as you can for a check up.
• Puppies should be vaccinated at an early age and will need a booster throughout their life, this will protect them against various diseases such as kennel cough, parvovirus.
• Your dog will need regular treatments to prevent them from suffering from worms and fleas. Your vet will be able to advise you on the correct course of treatment.
• You may also want to think about neutering your dog.  In males the testicles are removed which is called 'castration' and in females the ovaries and womb are removed which is called 'spaying'.  Neutering can stop unwanted litters, serious diseases, behaviour disorders and can help them enjoy a better quality of life.
• Dogs can become sick just like us except they cannot communicate what is wrong.  You should check your dog daily for any sign of illness. These might include: sickness, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, tiredness, limping, coughing, bleeding, runny eyes or nose.  It is always best to contact your vet for advice if you notice any change to your dog's behaviour.
• Grooming needs to be done on a regular basis for all dog breeds.  It is also a time when you should check the condition of your dog's skin for parasites, cuts, red and swollen areas.  A long haired dog needs to be groomed everyday, while a dog with short hair will usually only need brushing twice a week.
• It is advisable to get pet insurance, this can help you budget for the unexpected should your dog become seriously ill and in most policies third party insurance would cover you if your dog caused an accident. 

Date Updated: 01/10/10