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Dogs are a great family pet and more often than not are treated like a member of the family. They are great companions for a walk in the park and offer unconditional loyalty and affection. Studies have shown that children who grow up with pets display higher self esteem, improved social skills, and are more popular with their peers. Children develop a sense of responsibility, learn to care for their pet and can establish a daily exercise routine - for the benefit of both the dog and the children!
Puppies are very cute and enjoy lounging around your house. It is sometimes easy to mistake them for toys and forget that they need regular exercise and play time. Try to fit in some daily playtime with your dog and don't let it become lazy! Try to take your dog for a walk every day (15 - 20 minutes is fine) and, if possible, let it run loose in your garden, or anywhere that's safe to let it go and is approved by your local Council. This will not only be the highlight of your dog's day, but will also be an active energy release and will help it to sleep soundly at night.
There are approximately 165 breeds of dogs available to prospective dog owners in Australia. So how do you choose? A good place to start is a dog obedience training school, or a visit to a dog show so you can see different breeds in action. Dogs can be a great source of pleasure, companionship and security, but you need to choose one that fits in with your and your families, lifestyle.
There are a few things you will need to consider before you buy a dog.
The South Australian Canine Association can answer some of your questions. You may also want to contact your local Dog Club, Dog Obedience Club, Council, Veterinarian or Animal Shelter for advice.
Animal Shelters are only too happy for you to 'adopt' one of their dogs and the cost is reasonable.
Have you considered the questions above? If your answer is yes, you qualify to own a dog. Just remember the following requirements of responsible dog ownership, so that dogs and humans can live in safety and harmony.
All dogs aged three months or over must be registered with your local Council. The purpose of this is to provide quick and easy identification of your dog, should he or she be found wandering, or become lost.
Once registered, your dog must wear a registration disc that will identify him or her as belonging to you. Another more permanent form of identification is called microchipping. Ask your veterinary surgeon about this option.
The registered owner must be a person aged 16 years or over, and that person must notify the Council within 72 hours if:
Failure to obey the registration law can incur a $80.00 expiation fee or $250 penalty and an additional penalty for every 14 days the registration fee remains unpaid. Registration fees are quite reasonable, so there is no excuse for an unregistered dog!
It is very important to vaccinate your new puppy against dangerous diseases such as Canine Distemper, Viral Hepatitis and Parvovirus. These injections are usually given to puppies aged between six to eight weeks, and then again at twelve to sixteen weeks. It is also recommended that you vaccinate your puppy against Kennel Cough and Tetanus. Whether you buy your puppy from the pet store, or a breeder, you should be told if it has already been vaccinated.
If so, make sure you ask for a certificate.
If your new dog is not a young puppy, you will need to check its vaccination history. Try to collect any health documents that belong to your new dog so you are able to ascertain its history and any special treatment it requires.
Consult your veterinary surgeon for advice on what vaccinations your dog might need and how soon it is safe for your puppy to interact with other dogs after its vaccination.
If your new dog is more than one year old, it is safe to have it re-vaccinated. An extra vaccination will do no harm, but a vaccination missed could be fatal.
When you take your puppy to be vaccinated it is also a good idea to have it treated
for worms. A variety of worm infestations can attack both puppies and older dogs.
Heartworm is an especially serious problem in South Australia, particularly in the Riverland and the metropolitan area. Mosquitoes spread the parasite, which causes illness and possible death from heart failure.
All worm infestations can be treated with the appropriate worming medication, and regular worming will ensure that the risk of cross-infection to humans is minimised. All normal hygiene precautions should be observed, i.e. always washing your hands after handling animals, and not letting dogs lick your face or mouth.
Again, when you purchase your dog, it is important to check that it has been wormed. If you buy a puppy, it should be wormed at eight weeks of age and have regular treatments from then on - ask your veterinary surgeon for advice.
If you do not intend to breed from your puppy (and for most owners there is no reason to do so), sterilisation is advisable. People whose pet conceives puppies only because their neighbour owns a male dog are irresponsible dog owners If you own a male dog, you may find that it displays unacceptable aggressive behaviour. This is a good reason to have him desexed as it may improve your dog's temperament. It may also reduce other anti-social behaviours, such as wandering and urine marking. In the male, the testicles are removed - this is called 'castration'. In the female, both the ovaries and uterus are removed. These are considered routine operations but you must ensure that your dog is in good health before the surgery. Both operations leave your dog with a few stitches and your veterinary surgeon will ask that it just be kept quiet for a few days, so that the wound can heal. However, if these simple operations are not performed, your female dog will have a higher risk of breast cancer and/or severe uterine infection, not to mention unwanted puppies. Your male dog will also have a higher risk of prostate trouble and cancer of the testes.
You probably know your dog better than anyone. You know when he or she is feeling a bit under the weather, but when dogs are scratching constantly, have small red bites on their skin and black gritty material in their coat, did you know they probably have fleas? Fleas are nasty insects that bite your dog and inject their saliva, which contains chemicals that your dog may be allergic to. Fleas are the cause of two major problems for your dog. They can cause dermatitis (often called eczema) and they can carry and spread tapeworms. Puppies are more prone to flea infestations, but can be treated with flea powders or more modern and effective remedies available from your veterinary surgeon. Always check the age restrictions on the package, because most effective treatments, such as flea collars, sprays, rinses, tablets or liquids, can only safely be used on adult dogs.
Remember, the treatment doesn't stop after one application. You will need to regularly treat all other pets, your carpet, doormats, favourite resting spots, and your dog's bedding, as flea pupae can survive in soil or carpet for up to nine months.
Sit
Hold a small piece of food just above the dog's head/nose slowly moving it backwards so that he is obliged to look up and back into the sit position (If the dog has to jump up to get the reward you are holding it too high). Once the dog is in position give him his reward and the command "sit".
Dogs taught to sit with food will also sit when there is no food available once the command is understood. This is a desirable method because your dog does not feel confused, or physically threatened.
Heel
Before teaching your dog to heel, it is important that you have an appropriate walking collar, head halter or harness that is fitted properly to your dog. Your dog may grow through several sizes of walking gear, so ensure it is always wearing the correct one.
Normally dogs are walked on your left side with the lead held in your right hand. The correct position for dog is with its head/shoulder in line with your left leg. The should be slack enough to make the letter "J" from your right hand to the dogs collar, with left hand (dog side) free. You can hold a toy or food in your left hand just in front of the dogs nose to keep it's attention, rewarding it when it is in the correct place. Begin practicing where there are no distractions. Whilst training the dog, do not try to walk too many steps otherwise you are setting the dog up to fail. A few steps and a reward is more motivating and makes it easier for the dog to learn. Walk a couple of steps forward with the dog in the correct position, stop and reward the dog with either praise or food or his toy. As soon as the dog walks out in front of you slow down dramatically, so that the dog has slow down or stop. Once it is back in the correct place you can continue walking. The dog will learn that if it walks out in front of your leg the lead tightens and it has to slow down or stop but when it is in the correct position the lead slackens off and the walk can continue.
Training should only last five to ten minutes (less for puppies), as quality time is far better than long ineffective training sessions that are boring and tiring for both you and your dog.
If your dog is missing ACT QUICKLY! If a dog is found in a public or private place without the consent of the occupier and nobody is exercising effective control over the dog, it is considered to be 'wandering at large' (an offence under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995). To prevent this from occurring, always have your dog on a cord or leash (no longer than two metres), or if you are in an off-lead park make sure you stay near enough to your dog to give commands that it will hear and obey. A dog confined in a vehicle, being used for tending stock, or participating in certain organised events is not considered to be 'wandering at large'. The first thing you should do if you discover your dog is missing is to contact your local council - even after hours, as most have a contact person available at all times.
If the council has not found your dog, you should contact your local Animal Shelter/s, RSPCA and veterinary surgeon/s.
You should also place an advertisement in the newspaper, in local shopping centres, veterinary surgeries, and perhaps do a letter box drop in your area.
As an owner, it is your responsibility to place your telephone number (and, if you wish, your dog's name) on your dog's disc and/or collar. This will assist the prompt recovery of your pet.
Diet
We all know that dogs love to eat! We watch them wagging their tails and licking their lips at the smell and sight of food. But scraps from our dinner plates are should not be the sole diet of the dog. There are two recommended types of food. One is the home-created formula that consists of a mixture of cereals, meat and vegetables. Often these mixtures are more expensive than commercially prepared foods and may not provide a balanced diet. Any home-created meat-based diet should be balanced with calcium carbonate (bonemeal) and vitamins A, D and E. Many supplements are themselves a problem if fed to excess. Consult your veterinary surgeon about a suitable diet.The second type is the commercially prepared foods.
These are:
Most provide a balanced diet containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fibre. However, the dry type delivers more digestible calories per kilogram. Under no circumstances feed your dog cooked bones! Dogs are unable to digest these and they can splinter when chewed. They can cause devastating, life-threatening constipation and intestinal blockages. However, you can if you wish give your dog a large raw bone once or twice weekly. This will help to clean your dog's teeth!
Try to keep dogs from eating sweets (especially chocolate, grapes and raisins) and hot, spicy foods, and always make sure they have fresh water in a spill-proof bowl placed in a shady spot.
Like us, dogs are prone to over-eating and putting on weight (some breeds more than others), so you need to keep an eye on how much they are eating. Most veterinary clinics have scales in their waiting room and will ask you to check your pet's weight so it can be recorded. Your veterinary surgeon will let you know whether your pet is an appropriate weight for its size and age. For your own information, you should always be able to feel your dog's ribs and backbone with a little pressure.
At six weeks old, puppies may need three to four meals a day, but gradually reduce this over several months to a morning and evening meal (the term 'gradually' is not to be taken lightly in this instance, because any sudden change in diet can trigger diarrhoea) When your dog has finished growing (usually at 12 months) it should be eating one meal a day. This can either be commercially prepared food, or a home-cooked meal.
Bathing
Most dogs, especially those with long, curly hair, need regular bathing, using a recognised dog shampoo. You can do this yourself or use the services of a professional groomer. Choose a warm, sunny morning to wash your dog outdoors, so it has enough time to dry. This will also ensure that your bathroom or laundry does not get saturated! It is OK to wash your dog in the winter. However, it needs to be completely dry, with its skin back to normal temperature, before it is allowed outside.
Grooming dogs
Regular brushing, particularly of long haired dogs, is important to prevent matting of the hair and to remove dead hair. Tangles should be removed and the coat well brushed before bathing a dog.
Your dog's nails will also need regular clipping, but seek professional advice before you endeavour to do this yourself! Regular exercise on a hard surface will help to keep nails short.
Regularly check your dog's skin, eyes, ears, genitals and 'rear-end' to make sure they are free of discharge. Any sign of discharge could mean infection, and your dog will need to be taken to your local veterinarian for treatment.
Traveling
Whether it's travelling on your annual holiday across Australia, or a short trip in the car to prevent travel sickness your dog needs to become familiar with travelling as early as possible.
The following hints will assist in minimising any problems:
Dogs travelling in the back of a utility or truck should be secured on a leash that is short enough to prevent the dog from falling or jumping over the side.
Remember never to leave your dog in a car
Even on the mildest of days, the temperature inside the car can soar to lethal levels. If you must leave your dog in the car, do not leave it unattended for long, (dogs can die within five minutes), make sure it has water and that the windows are wound down enough to provide adequate ventilation.
If a dog is caused any distress under such circumstances, the owner can be fined under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985.
Toilet Training
It is important that your puppy knows from the start not to use any part of the house as a toilet. This involves conditioning the dog to control its bowel and its bladder and to communicate to you that it needs to be let outside to relieve itself. This takes time but, once taught, is seldom forgotten. It is not a good idea to leave newspaper on the floor for your puppy to relieve itself. Puppies cannot understand that the paper has been put down specifically for them to use for this purpose. They frequently simply rip up the paper in a game and then relieve themselves on the floor. Aim to keep all bladder and bowel movements out of the house altogether!
Try to get your puppy into a routine. When it first wakes up, it usually needs to relieve itself, so immediately take it outside. After a while your puppy will automatically go outside after waking up. After eating, your puppy will also need to be taken outside, usually within ten minutes.
It is a good idea to take it out again after play, as all the excitement may cause it to suddenly relieve itself where it is.
If your puppy begins to circle, sniffing the floor, this is also an indication it needs to relieve itself and that you should take it outside.
Remember to praise your puppy for successful toilet trips, as this reinforces the good behaviour.
If your puppy makes a mistake inside, never rub its nose in it instead pick the puppy up immediately and take it outside. If you try to discipline it hours after it has committed the crime, it will not make the connection between the behaviour and your displeasure. Remember, you will get a better result by rewarding good behaviour than disciplining bad behaviour. Avoid using household disinfectants as they can smell like urine to a dog use hot water or a biological washing agent is a good alternative.
House Manners
A dog's bed is its castle, and every dog should have a place in the house to call its own - preferably away from the family.
Your dog should be able to eat and sleep away from the family traffic. This may be the laundry, or a shady spot outside, close to the house.
You might notice, however, that your dog would rather spend its time lounging on your favourite couch. There is people furniture and dog furniture. Don't let your dog share your bed and lounge room furniture. Garbage and waste paper bins are also 'off limits'. Try to encourage this behaviour from an early age, as these habits are almost impossible to break.
Teach your dog not to take things from the table or kitchen benches.
Verbally reprimand if necessary, but praise if it can be in the room without begging for, or taking, food. Never feed your dog from the table while you are eating or preparing food.
Just as children are taught to be good when guests visit your house, so should your dog. People mention being jumped on as one of the things they dislike most about other people's dogs. It is very embarrassing for you, and you may find your guests won't be enthusiastic about visiting again! To conquer this problem, as it rears up on its hind legs take a step backwards away from the dog so that it's front feet fall back down to the floor, then ask the dog to sit or lie down before you interact with it. Your dog must learn to come quietly to greet you, and your guests, in an acceptable manner.
Puppies, like children, have temporary teeth that are replaced at between four and seven months of age. During the teething period, your puppy will probably destroy many prized possessions - books and slippers being the favourites. Make sure your puppy has a tasty raw meaty bone, or toys such as hard rubber balls, squeaky toys or rawhides to chew. Dogs love to chew shoes, but if you let them get a taste for leather, it will be extremely hard to break the habit. Don't even give your dog an old shoe to chew on, because your dog will not know the difference between an old shoe and a new one. So, when it chews up your brand new leather boots, you are in no position to scold it, as you have encouraged the behaviour.
Dogs will often dig holes for a variety of reasons, some breeds have a tendency to dig more than others. They may be bored, they may do it for exercise, or if the weather is very hot they will dig in order to lie in the cool ground. If they have to dig, provide them with their own patch of the garden. You could then encourage them to dig there by placing their bones in that location. Do not allow them to use the neighbour's prized flowerbed!
'Picking Up' After Your Dog
Dog droppings are a health risk and a source of annoyance to other users of footpaths, parks and recreation areas.
The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 states that the owner (or person responsible for control of a dog) can be fined if the dog defecates in a public place and the faeces are not immediately removed and adequately disposed of.
Faeces must not be placed in public rubbish bins unless securely wrapped. Ask your Council if they have suitable bags or receptacles for the lawful disposal of faeces. Try to train your dog to defecate in your own garden before it is taken for a walk.
Dog faeces contaminate our waterways and there are many pet dogs that it is essential that we all clean up after our dogs.
Don't let your dog pollute our streets, parks or waterways!
Barking Dogs
Barking is a perfectly natural behaviour in dogs. However, excessive, prolonged or repetitive barking needs to be addressed. Barking is a standard form of communication used by dogs. They whine or bark at various pitches and volumes to vocalise their emotions. It may be a high-pitched whine to attract other dogs, a warning alarm bark, or just barking as a plea for contact.
Why does my dog bark?
Boredom
Boredom is a direct result of irregular or inadequate mental stimulation. Animals suffer from loneliness, and dogs are no exception. Dogs are social animals and will actively seek the company of other dogs and people. When left alone in backyards for lengthy periods of time they may bark for attention. They may also lack interesting things to keep them occupied. Here are some of the ways of addressing the loneliness problem:
Be consistent and take your dog for good long walks. If possible at the same time every day. A dog learns by repetition and so is more likely to wait in anticipation of this activity.
Provide more mental stimulation for your dog., such as special interactive dog toys filled with food or try having things (such as raw bones or biscuits) hidden around your garden and house for the dog to find - behind posts, or buried in an area in which your dog can acceptably dig. Provide plenty of chewing articles and toys.
Teasing and/or Hostile Neighbours
Check the times when your dog is barking, as they could relate to the times when children and neighbours are around. Your dog may need to be kept away from areas where close contact with children or neighbours is likely.
Separation Anxiety
When a dog has formed a particularly strong bond to one or more members of the household it can become anxious to the extent of mental distress when separated from these people. One effective strategy in treating separation anxiety is to create a 'den'.
This can either be a small, enclosed area in, or outside, the house e.g. a laundry or shed. It should include something that smells strongly of the owner, and access to water. The dog should be fed (and encouraged to sleep) there, so that the den has happy associations. It may then not worry as much about being left alone.
Changes to a dog's life or lifestyle
Major changes in your dog's environment or lifestyle may trigger excessive barking. For example, if you start working longer hours, a new baby arrives, or your family moves house, the amount and type of attention your dog receives in relation to these things decreases. Try to establish a routine so that your dog receives attention (walking and playing) at certain regular times when you are at home.
Possible health problems e.g. irritations or discomfort
Keep a regular check on your dog's health, because health problems can change a dog's behaviour, including making it bark more than usual.
Distractions
An aggressive dog should not be kept near a walkway, hostile neighbours, or where children can tease it. Dogs will bark at other dogs and people walking past their house and garden.
A dog on a corner block may bark a lot more than a dog without access to the property boundary. There often seem to be more distractions at night, including other dogs barking, visiting cats, security lights, pool pumps and filters switching on, or wind blowing through the trees.
Another distraction for your dog might be that its kennel is not weatherproof. Make sure the kennel is the right size for your dog and is a comfortable and inviting place to sleep.
Breed-related desires and instincts
Your dog's barking has a lot to do with its temperament. Understand the behaviour traits of the breed you are buying and choose carefully. If you receive a complaint, phone the Dog Management Officer at your local Council before a formal complaint is lodged with the Council.
Find out when your dog is barking in a manner that is upsetting to other people. This is more than likely to be when you are not at home, but you can make sure by leaving, then returning a few minutes later to make sure it is your dog, and not a neighbour's, that is barking.
Solutions may include:
Barking Muzzles
Barking muzzles are fitted over the face to prevent a dog from fully opening its mouth. Dogs should not be left unattended whilst wearing a muzzle.
Muzzles may not stop the barking, but can effectively reduce the volume and intensity, while still allowing the dog to drink and pant.
Surgical Bark Reduction
This operation is a last resort and is not freely available to dog owners. It requires a statutory declaration that everything else possible has been attempted and has failed before this procedure can even be considered.
Dogs And Kids
Always make sure that young children (your own, and other people's) are supervised around your dog. If it is not properly trained, it may snap at, or even bite, a youngster whom it perceives as a threat, or who wants to play rough.
Teach Your Child To:
- never approach a strange dog without permission from the owner
- approach a dog slowly, with the back of the hand extended
- curl his or her fingers and allow the dog to sniff them
- stroke the dog gently on the chest, shoulder, or under the chin - never pat it on the head
- avoid approaching dogs that are sleeping or eating
- stand still if being approached by a strange dog. Try not to squeal or jump
- avoid eye contact with the dog
Your Dog And The Law
Local Council by-laws may limit the number of dogs that you can keep. Check that you don't have more than the permitted number of dogs on your property, as fines may apply.
The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 sets out a number of offences for which the owner (or person responsible for control of the dog) can be fined.
These include your dog:
Dog Attacks
Every member of the public has a right to use public land without fear of being attacked or harassed by any dog. If your dog does attack another member of the public or animal, severe consequences will result.
Any person who is being attacked by a dog may injure or destroy the dog if that action is reasonable and necessary to protect life or property. This action should only be taken in the most extreme of cases, because it may be treated as a criminal offence if an animal is killed without just cause.
Victims of dog attacks should report the incident to the Council as soon as possible as they are entitled to claim damages and costs incurred as a result of the attack. They may decide to seek legal action and your dog may be destroyed.
A person who urges a dog to attack, harass or chase any other person, animal or bird is also guilty of an offence.
Dogs On Farmland
There are also laws against dogs, unaccompanied by a person, being in a paddock or any other place where animals are being farmed. An unaccompanied dog may be injured or destroyed. Poison baits may also be laid to protect farmed animals, but it is suggested that legal advice is sought before this action is taken, as special rules apply.
If anyone injures or destroys a dog in these circumstances, they must inform the owner of the dog, the Council and the Police as soon as possible.
Destruction And Control Orders
Councils have been given the power to make orders for the destruction or control of dogs. This is to ensure that complaints and disputes concerning dog behaviour can be dealt with at a local level, without the need to take court action in every instance.
A destruction order must give at least one month's notice of the date on which the dog is to be destroyed and may specify where the dog is to be kept until destroyed.
Other Control Orders the Council may make are:
These orders may make directions such as: the dog is to be desexed, kept indoors or enclosed or muzzled, and wear a dangerous dog collar, and that warning signs ('Beware of the Dog') be displayed, or that steps be taken to stop any nuisance behaviour.
The Council must give seven days written notice of any orders and must allow the owner to have a say on the matter. If no resolution is agreed, the owner may apply to the Courts to have the order removed.
If a person does not comply with any dog order, a Dog Management Officer may take any reasonable steps to make sure the order is carried out, and the owner can be billed for any expenses incurred. The owner may also be charged for not complying with an order.
Prescribed Breeds Of Dogs
It is an offence to give away, sell, or advertise the following prescribed breeds of dogs:
By law these dogs must be desexed, and wear a collar (as specified by the Dog and Cat Management Board), lead and muzzle when out in public.
Dogs impounded by Councils (partial list)
Click here for a partial list of dogs that have been impounded by local Councils. If your dog is missing and you don't see your dog on this list, please contact your local Council, the Animal Welfare League or the RSPCA.
