|
|
Top 10 questions about caring for your
dog!
Questions 1 - 5!
6. Can I give my dog home cooked food? |
|
You can feed your dog human food, but this type of diet not always provides the nutritional values your dog needs. It is best to use tinned dog food or dried mixer/complete food, which is specially designed for their needs. Dried complete food comes in large bags which are generally cheaper to purchase and last longer but not all dogs like it, so maybe adding some leftovers to this will make the meal more interesting. |
7. Will my dog need exercise? |
|
All dogs need exercise. You must consider the breed and size of your dog. Generally all dogs should be walked twice a day for about twenty minutes even if you have a big garden because dogs won't exercise themselves. If your dog is lively and energetic it would be great to bring it to an open space where it can burn up some of that excess energy in playing. |
8. Can I train my dog? |
|
All dogs are pack animals and in order for their society to work, one or two individuals must dominate the pack. If there is no order, then anarchy rules, resulting in aggression and disobedience. In a domestic setting with a pet dog, the owner must become the leader of the pack. Games, obedience and diet are important factors in training your dog. It is better to play gentle games such as fetch etc. and not rough games like Tug-O-War. Obedience training such as, 'sit', 'stay', 'come' etc. can be easier when using an extending lead. But some dogs may require a learned instructor and professional training. The diet should be strict, do not indulge your dog or allow begging to be rewarded. Always reward good behaviour with proper pet treats. |
9. Can my dog get worms? |
|
All dogs get worms and there are different types of worms too. These worms live in the dog's stomach and intestine. These worms can make your dog very sick if not treated, but puppies are especially prone to worms, therefore, puppies must be wormed once every two weeks until twelve weeks old. Then they need worming once a month until they are six months old. Adult dogs must be wormed at least every three months consistently. |
10. Should my dog receive regular health checks from a vet? |
 |
Your dog should be examined by a vet at least once a year when receiving its booster vaccination. But you, as a responsible pet owner should be checking your dog's health and condition on a constant and regular basis, i.e. when grooming and cleaning and when playing. Check their nails for signs of overgrowth, especially their dew claws, which are located on the inside of the foot. If your dog does not receive regular exercise the nails will not wear down naturally. Check their teeth for signs of gum disease and dental problems. Brushing their teeth and feeding them dried food will keep their teeth clean. Check their coat for signs of skin problems or fleas. Fleas can be picked up from other animals or even from carpets, furniture and bedding which were not properly disinfected after flea infestation. Ask your vet what the best product is for treating fleas. |
Click here
to see questions 1 - 5 again!
|
|
