Freedom of movement
Dogs should not be curtailed for prolonged periods of time in kennel, outhouse or chained up at the bottom of the garden.
Exercise
Depending on breed, dogs should receive anywhere between 30 minutes to one hours exercise every day.
Water/Food
Dogs should have constant access to clean, fresh water. Dogs should be fed at least twice per day. Puppies should be fed three to four times per day until they are six months old. Pet food manufacturers now produce breed-specific formulae which have a certain balance of protein and vitamins for that breed e.g. working dogs such as Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds or Border Collies require higher levels of protein then an average pet. Check dog food packaging for more details.
Shelter
Dogs should have clean, draught free building or kennel which protects them from the elements.
Kennels should be cleaned out every other day to ensure the dog’s continued good health.
Psychological Freedom
Like humans, dogs become stressed if unable to express their frustration. A stressed dog behaves in a way that will attract human attention. Barking, biting and chewing furniture, chasing, digging and forgetting its house training are all behavioural signs that the dog is not at ease with its environment.
Grooming
Depending on breed, some dogs will require regular grooming. It is advised that dogs be brought to a professional groomer if they have long, difficult coats. In summer be on the lookout for fleas and ticks on your dog’s scalp.
Neutering
Helps prevent the misery of unwanted litters and promotes the health and wellbeing of your pet.
Vaccinations
Five serious infectious diseases threaten a dog throughout its lift time; canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus infection and two forms of leptospiroses. Prevention by vaccination is therefore important (a combined vaccination giving full protection against all five diseases is normally advised), and must be started in puppyhood and maintained by annual booster doses throughout the animal’s life.
We strongly recommend that all dogs(including puppies), taken from the rehoming kennel which do not have a written vaccination history be taken to a vet for both a health check and appropriate vaccinations.
Cars are death traps
Never leave your dog in a car in warm weather. A dog is not capable of dealing with high temperatures inside a car, and will quickly suffer from heatstroke and eventual heart failure. Even parking in the shade is risky – the sun could move directly overhead.
When travelling always ensure your pet is safely contained in a travel harness or kept in a travelling crate strapped into the back seat. Any dog allowed to wander loose in the back of a car is lethal baggage because in an accident a dog will hurtle forward, torpedo-like, often maiming itself, the driver, as well as proving a danger if ejected through the windscreen.
Dogs and Halloween
Fireworks can be distressing for our pets but there are some things owners can do to reduce their stress and fear.- Make sure your dog is in a safe environment so that it does't bolt or escape if frightened by a loud noise
- Keep dogs indoors, close all windows, doors, curtains and cat or dog flaps
- Make sure your dog is not left alone
- Play some soothing music or have the TV on to drown out the noise
- Make your dog a den by draping a blanket over a table so it can hide and feel safe and secure. Try doing this two weeks before Halloween
- Ignore any fearful behaviour. Soothing a dog gives the impression that there is something frightening
- Ignore the noise youself as dogs will pick up on your reaction
- Try to engage your dog in distracting play if your pet is only mildly fearful
- Make sure your dog is wearing a secure licence tag, collar and have your dog microchipped
- Exercise your dog before dark, and make sure it is on a secure lead at all time.
