A Dog Owner's Handbook

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY A Dog Owner’s Handbook Table of contents Congratulations! . 5 Getting ready for the new family member . 6 Socialization and Behaviour . 7 Training for Good Behaviour . 7 Dealing with Bad Behaviour . 8 House Training . .. 9 Nutrition . 10 Understanding Ingredients . 10 Dogs Need Different Diets at Different Ages . .. 11 Vitamin and Mineral Supplements . 11 Boredom & Variety . 11 Cost . 12 Dry vs . Canned Food. 12 People Food . 12 Bones . 12 Homemade Diets . 12 Food Allergies . 13 Chocolate . .13 Milk . 13 How Much Should I Feed My Dog? . 13 How Often Should I Feed My Dog? . 14 Exercise . 14 The importance of the physical examination . 14 Why Are Regular Check-Ups Important? . 15 2 What Happens During An Examination? . 16 How Often Should My Pet Be Examined? . 17 Vaccinations . 18 Common Questions About Vaccinations . 18 Spaying & Neutering . 19 Spaying of the Female Dog . 20 Neutering of the Male Dog . 20 Lyme Disease & Ticks . 21 Common Questions about Lyme Disease . 21 Heartworm, Fleas & other Parasites . 23 Heartworm Prevention . 23 Common Questions About Heartworm . 24 Fleas & Other Parasites . 24 Do Parasites Cause “Scooting”? . 25 Preventing Dental Disease . 25 Home Dental Care . 26 Veterinary Dental Treatments . .26 Grooming . .27 Pet Health Insurance . 27 Pet Identification . 28 Beware of These Dog Health Hazards . 29 A Lifelong Relationship . 30 The Farley Foundation . 31 3 4 Congratulations! You have either added, or are considering adding, a new member to your family – a family member who, when properly treated and cared for, will provide you with years of enjoyment and uncondi- tional love . The relationship between dogs and humans goes back thousands of years, but it is only recently that we have begun to understand how much our furry friends contribute to our health and well- being . Dogs are excellent and loving companions . They reduce our stress levels and cheer us up when we’re feeling blue . Dogs keep us healthy and active by giving us an excuse to get out for long walks . If you have not yet chosen a dog, take the time to find out what type of dog is best-suited to you and your lifestyle . Your veterinarian can provide you with information about the characteristics of different breeds and cross-bred dogs, where to get them, how to gauge a puppy’s temperament and numerous other important aspects of choosing the right pet for you . This handbook will provide you with some of the basic information you need to successfully integrate this new member of your family into your home, and ensure that your dog lives a happy, healthy life . For more information on any of the topics contained in this handbook, please consult your veterinarian, or visit the Ontario Veteri- nary Medical Association’s website at www.ovma.org 5 Getting ready for the new family member Your dog’s first day in its new home is a critical event . The experiences your dog will encounter have the potential to be traumatic . A sudden separation from its mother and littermates can be upsetting for a puppy . Dogs can become anxious when forced to adjust to new surroundings . How you prepare your puppy for its first day in your home may determine the future behaviour of your pet . Before your new family member arrives, ensure that you have bowls for food and water, and a bed for your dog to sleep in . Initially, the dog’s bed can be a basket, box or crate (cage) . If you opt to “crate train” your dog, ensure that the crate is the proper size . The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand and turn around in once it is full-grown . Crates that come with an adjustable divider area are a great way to ensure your crate “grows” with your puppy . The crate should be well ventilated and contained on all sides, including the top . Newspapers or blankets can be used as bedding . This crate should be used for sleeping at all times . The crate is also an ideal way to house your dog when travelling . During the excitement of its first day in a new environment, your puppy may become tired . Whenever this occurs, place your dog inside the crate for a nap . Feed your puppy in the crate, but do not leave any uneaten food in the crate after the dog has finished eating . The puppy will become familiar with the crate and will be less likely to protest when left alone in the crate for the night . If your puppy cries during its first night with your family, you can soothe it by placing the crate in your bedroom, or by placing a ticking clock near its bed . Do not remove the puppy from its crate . Be patient . In time (usually a day or two), the puppy will grow accustomed to sleeping in the crate . A puppy should not be confined to the crate all day and all night . Make sure it has ample opportunity each day to exercise, socialize, and explore its surroundings . 6 Socialization and Behaviour Puppies don’t instinctively know anything about the world in which they live . They learn about the world by experiencing it . Gradually expose your puppy to all of the things it will meet during its life . This will ensure that your dog is not afraid or anxious when confronted with people, cars, other animals, etc . Begin socializing your new puppy as soon as possible (ideally before four months of age) . Start with one-person interactions . Gradually introduce the dog to situations with more people . Make sure that the puppy has plenty of opportunities to interact with children . Doing so will ensure your puppy becomes comfortable around children at an early age . Adding a treat or toy to new situations will also help make it a positive experience . It is also important to teach your puppy to be comfortable with people around their favourite toys, treats and food dish . As soon as your dog has received the appropriate vaccinations, introduce it to other dogs in the neighbourhood . Take the dog for short rides in the car to reduce the anxiety associated with travelling . Gradually introduce your dog to traffic, water, and any other situations it is likely to encounter . An excellent way to socialize your puppy is to take it to training classes . These classes get puppies off to a great start in their training, and offer an excellent opportunity to socialize . Ask your veterinarian about classes available in your area, and discuss any special vaccinations your puppy may require prior to enrolling in these classes . Training for Good Behaviour Proper training can usually prevent such behavioural problems as jumping, biting or excessive barking . Training begins as soon as you get your new pet . At eight to 12 weeks, a dog should learn to wear a collar, walk on a leash and come when called . In general, any behaviour that would not be acceptable when the dog is full grown should be discouraged when they are a puppy (e .g . jumping up) . A halter collar or “gentle leader” (a collar that goes over the dog’s head and muzzle) 7 may be of assistance when training your dog . These collars give you greater control and assist in the training of your puppy . Some dog owners choose to use a body harness instead of a collar . If you are thinking of using a head or body harness, ask your veterinarian for advice as there are a variety of product styles available, some more suited to certain sizes and breeds of dog than others . Using force to train a dog can ruin your bond with your pet . Instead, train your puppy by using positive motivators like food, a favourite toy, and attention . Teach your puppy the basics – ”come,” “sit,” “lay down,” and “stay” – as soon as possible . Use hand signals in addition to the commands . Dogs are more likely to respond to a double signal (verbal and visual) than just a verbal command . Give the dog a reward immediately after it performs the required task . Once the puppy begins to do as it is asked, continue to give praise for every correct response and provide the reward on an intermittent basis . Twelve to 16 weeks of age is a good time to begin formal obedience training . Once again, your veterinarian will be able to advise you about classes available in your area . Dealing with Bad Behaviour Every puppy will misbehave from time to time . Puppies, like children, go through a mouthing (teething) stage . During this stage, they may want to chew everything in sight . The best strategy for coping with this stage is to keep valuables out of reach and give the puppy a variety of chew toys to work on . Some toys are potentially hazardous to your dog’s health, so ask your veterinarian to recommend safe toys for your dog . Puppies need to learn proper bite inhibition as part of their socialization . This is learned through proper feedback from people and other dogs that biting too hard causes pain . Through this socialization process, the puppy learns to interact without hurting anyone or anything . 8 Never punish your puppy for misbehaving using pain or fear . Punishment during the early development stages can have a negative impact on the puppy’s future relationships with people . Never strike your dog . If you need to punish your puppy, a swift and brief “time-out” will make the puppy think twice about repeating the behaviour . Dogs are loving, devoted companions, but any dog may bite if provoked . Parents should teach children about safe behaviour around dogs .

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