Dog Lovers Manual

It is wise to do so, especially with maiden bitches, to observe that all is going well. You will also be able to lend a hand if needed or contact the vet should anything go wrong. Warm your vet well in advance of your pet’s expected due date in case you need his help out of surgery hours.

Dog licences are required by law in some countries, but not others. Check with your local authority to discover whether or not you need a licence for your pet.

All dog owners should, however, ensure that their pet wears an identity tag (in some countries it is a legal requirement), so that in the event of him getting lost or being involved in an accident he can be identified.

There are three stages to labor. The first stage can take up to 24 hours. The second stage occurs when contractions start; after the first puppy is born, the rest usually follow at 10-to-60 minute intervals. The third stage is when all the puppies have been delivered, along with their afterbirths (one for each puppy).

There are occasions when despite your best efforts, a partnership does not work. In these circumstances, it’s more beneficial for both parties if you rehome the dog rather than preserve, with both of you frustrated and miserable.

Finding your pet a home with someone who can offer the type of environment, attention and training he needs is not a failure on your part, and does not imply that you are a bad owner. Rather, it is a selfless act that offers the dog a chance to lead a happier life with someone who is able to fulfill his needs.

Just because you have had to rehome your pet does not mean that you will be unsuccessful with another – make sure you choose your next dog more carefully.

Veterinary surgeons are listed in local business telephone directories and also on the internet. Choose one who specializes in small animal care, specifically in dogs.

Word of mouth is a useful way of finding a good vet, as in contacting local breeders, dog training schools and/or dog rescue centres.

Take your pet for a check-up at least once a year. To save on costs, combine the visit with annual vaccination booster. Elderly dogs should be examined every 6 months.

It’s worth keeping a diary of your dog’s behavior, health and vaccinations, as this is useful in helping your vet treat your pet appropriately and swiftly when the need arises.

Yes, but if she struggles with wet bathing it is safer to use a dry shampoo. When wet bathing, ensure she has a non-slip surface to stand on, you have someone to hold and steady her, and that you dry her properly afterwards.

Towards the end of pregnancy, trim excess hair from her trousers, skirt (stomach) and very carefully from around the teats. The first two will aid hygiene and ease of delivery, and the last will make it easy for the puppies to find the nipples and to suckle.

The same safety principles that apply to toys suitable for puppies are also relevant to adult dogs. As well as being play items, toys are invaluable bonding and training aids. Choose a selection of toys that will represent the different values shown in the table below.

Toy Values

Keep the low-value toys for all-time access, and the medium-value ones for shared play sessions and training to reward and reinforce desirable behavior. The high-value toys (‘supertoys’) should be kept as an ultimate enticement or reward for special achievement.

Trimming your puppy’s nail tips will prevent them getting too sharp. It also accustoms him to the procedure before he gets too big to object. It is best to have your vet (or veterinary nurse) or a local canine beautician do this for you.

Inside each nail is a ‘quick’ – a tiny vein that appears pink in white nails, but is invisible in dark ones. It is nicked during trimming, this will prove extremely painful for the puppy; it will also bleed profusely. To reduce the risk of this happening, this procedure is best left to experts. As the pup matures, exercise on hand surfaces will wear down his nails naturally.

Hydrotherapy can be of benefit to all dogs suffering from mobility problems. This is because it enables dogs to exercise without exerting undue stress on their joints. Ask your vet for a referral to a reputable centre for dogs that is within a reasonable distance for regular visits.

A good centre will:

• Only take dogs on veterinary referral.
• Have suitable accident and third party liability insurance.
• Have experienced staff trained in canine first aid.
• Provide a heated pool large enough to cater for all sizes of dog, which has swim jets to increase the water flow as necessary, a safety pet harness, and a means of getting the dog into the water easily.