Dog Care Tips

• The Joys of Owning a Dog
• Tall, Short or Hairy?
• Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks
• Minding Your Dogs Manners
• Good Dogs, Bad Dogs and You
• Good Friends Need Care
• Lost and Unwanted Dogs
• For Helpful Advice
• Food for Thought
• Advice for taking care of your pets before and during fireworks events ( PDF 125Kb)

The Joys of Owning a Dog

A dog can be your closest friend, a much-loved family member, a hard-working companion; or all of these.

And like all close relationships, the friendship can often become strained. Therefore, the decision to become a dog owner should receive careful consideration. Owning a dog carries considerable responsibilities and obligations to the animal and the community.

These questions can help you decide if you're ready for the responsibility of dog ownership.

• Can I afford the time to properly care for the dog, including regular exercise, grooming and training?
• Can I afford the veterinary costs, food and proper shelter?
• Is my property suitable for the size of dog I wish to own?
• Do I have adequate fencing?
• Who will care for my dog when I holiday?
• Am I willing to keep a dog for 10 years or more? (average dog's life span)

If you can honestly answer these questions positively, and believe you're able to fulfil these requirements, you'll enjoy a happy life with your dog. If not, you could be headed for heartache.

Tall, Short or Hairy?

There are many types of dogs. It's most important for the future happiness of your household that the dog you choose fits your family's lifestyle and property.

The appealing little puppy in the pet shop window may grow into a very large dog and place intolerable demands on your household. Find out, if you can, how large it is likely to grow.

Large dogs not only eat more, they also need lots of room in which to romp and play. A large, well fenced backyard is essential. It's also necessary to spend time training them.

Long haired dogs may require a lot of attention and expensive grooming aids to keep their coats in a healthy condition.

If you are not going to use your dog for breeding or for show purposes, seriously consider having it desexed. The cost is not high when you consider the costs associated with an unwanted litter. Dogs straying when a bitch is on heat are a nuisance.

Domestic Animal Services will gladly help you choose a suitable dog.

Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks

A well-mannered dog can be a joy to everyone. Since dogs are seen as part of the family, it's beneficial to teach your pet to behave properly. Good behaviour in a dog, as in a child, just doesn't happen naturally, it's the result of care, understanding and training.

This section will help your dog to take its place in your home and to learn the rules of good behaviour. This training begins the day you get your dog and will continue for as long as you have it around.

If the new member of your family is a puppy, your job will be easier in many ways than with an older dog. Still, with a puppy, the first important lesson is house-training.

Your training program will be much smoother if you consider a few basic things. Your dog will have to learn a whole new language-yours. The dog will also have to conform to a new standard of behaviour within the family life around it.

Words, as we know them, don't mean a thing to a dog. It is certain sounds, accompanied by an action, which become the command your dog will obey. So, use short, simple words, such as No - Sit - Come - Down...praising and rewarding the dog when it does right; scolding when it fails you.

Training requires patience, persistence and practice - work at it, and you'll be amazed at the results.

Always use a kind but firm voice when training your dog. Practice these commands demanding obedience without being too loud and too harsh - remember your dog has hearing seven times more acute than you have.

All training should start with the dog in a sitting position at your left side. This is called the 'heel' position and is the first step in controlling your dog. Having learned to sit at heel, it will begin giving you its attention, and watching to see what's coming next.

Early training may be done on an ordinary leather collar and lead. If you have a large or boisterous dog you may eventually need to use a chain link training collar and a lead made of cotton webbing or leather and approximately 120cm (4 feet) long.

Training lessons should not be longer than 10 to 15 minutes duration. Two or three 10 to 15 minute lessons daily are better than a one hour session. Give rests, and always use plenty of praise and encouragement in the training of your dog, even though at times you may have to force it to obey.

Lost and Unwanted Dogs

If your dog becomes lost you should in the first instance contact the ACT Domestic Animal Services.

If they do not have your dog you should then contact the RSPCA. You can also contact local radio stations for inclusion in 'Lost and Found' broadcasts, and local veterinary surgeons in case it is an accident victim. Do not delay. Remember that under the Domestic Animals Act any dog impounded may be disposed of after 7 days.

Should you find a stray, contact ACT Domestic Animal Services and a dog inspector will collect the dog and transport it to the ACT Dog Pound. If the dog is registered then the owners will be notified immediately.

Remember it is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to abandon a dog. The penalties are severe.

For Helpful Advice

Remember, if you need help or advice there are many organisations and people available to assist.

ACT Domestic Animal Services

PO Box 20
Red Hill ACT 2603

Phone: 6207 2424

Mon-Fri 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Sat 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

Contact the ACT Domestic Animal Services first for matters related to dog registration, dog control and the Dog Control Act.

Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals (ACT) Inc

Kirkpatrick Street
Weston ACT 2611

Phone: 6287 8100

The RSPCA finds places for unwanted animals in new homes and provides a humane disposal service.

To find your local veterinary surgeon, look in the Yellow Pages.

Food for Thought

With kindness and persistence, most dogs can be trained to become well behaved and loyal companions. Caring for a dog can teach children a valuable lesson in responsibility. In return, a dog can become the best of all friends. Some say it's because they wag their tails and not their tongues...........