Dog Lovers Manual

Four principles apply in teaching your dog to sit on command, and the acronym ACER will help you remember them:

• Attention
• Command
• Execute
• Reward

1. Stand with your dog by your side, with the leash and a treat in the same hand. Get his attention by saying his name.
2. Command ‘sit’ and simultaneously gently push his rear end down.
3. Responding to the pressure, your pet will execute the command by sitting.
4. When he does so, reward him with the treat.

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.

The breeder of your dog should be the first person you go to for advice. If they are unable to help, then dog rescue centres may be able to provide information. Some will even rehome him for you, provided you give them a donation to cover his keep until they do so. Alternatively, ask your vet and dog trainer if they know of an ideal home for your dog.

If your dog is a pedigree, find out if there is a ‘breed rescue’ in your area – your vet or trainer may know of one, or you could contact the breed organization for details.

Your dog views your home and garden as his ‘pack’s’ territory. For this reason, he will sound the alarm by barking when non-pack members intrude into his/your space.

While you want your dog to alert you to unwanted visitors, his barking at every person who comes to the door, such as regular delivery people, or who walks past the house can become a real nuisance. Introducing your dog to milk and post delivery people will teach him that they are ‘friends’ not ‘foes’ (getting them to give him treats is a good idea) and may help to cure the problem.

Due to advances in veterinary medicine, dogs are living longer than they used to. However, large, heavy dogs have a shorter lifespan than their small, light counterparts due to their genetic make-up, as well as their bodies being subjected to more wear and tear. Non-pedigrees tend to live longer than purebreds.

Some breeds are known to have a limited lifespan due to their sheer size (such as the Irish Wolfhound and St Bernard), hereditary defects, susceptibility to certain ailments and/or confirmation.

All dogs can swim, although some are much better at it than others. This comes down to their body shape, stamina and overall physical ability. How much they enjoy it is another matter and depends on their confidence in the water, although this can be bolstered by gradual acclimatization.

The risks for canine swimmers are the same as for humans: deep, cold water, fast-flowing currents and high banks that cannot be climbed easily all pose a danger.

When calculating the cost of keeping your pet, you need to look at several areas. The first is the initial expense of buying your dog and the basic equipment with which to look after him. Then comes the cost of neutering and identification marking. Finally, there are the routine annual expenses:

1. Food
2. Internal and external parasite treatments
3. Professional grooming charges (where applicable)
4. Annual vet checks and vaccination booster
5. Trips to the vet in the event of injury/illness
6. Replacement grooming equipment and food/water bowls
7. Treats
8. Replacement toys
9. Training Fees
10. Insurance Premium
11. Boarding kennel charges when you are on holiday
12. Household repairs, if your dog turns out to be a demolition expert!

‘Tug of war’ and ‘wrestling’ are unsuitable ‘games’ to play with dogs. While such activities can be great fun initially, they can become unpleasant if the dog gets overexcited and aims to dominate and win the ‘match’.

You must stop encouraging ‘play wrestling’, and ignore the dog if he tries to engage you in it. Wait until he’s calm, then play a more suitable game with him. When he realizes that ‘good games’ are more rewarding than ‘bad games’, he will refrain from the latter.

Usually this type of behavior indicates fear and is therefore a defence strategy. It is also a sign of lack of socialization with other dogs, or sometimes a result of the dog being attacked by another at some point so that he has become wary of all dogs.

Whatever the reason for it, this behavior is difficult to cure without expert help, so it pays to find a good dog trainer who can advice on best course of action. Some trainers have their own friendly, trained dogs to help out in such situations and this often proves a real help, so try to find one who offers this service.

Start recognizing your puppy’s normal behavior as soon as you get him. Then you will know when all is not well. Note any unusual behavior, altered appetite or demeanour, distressed whining, increased or decreased thirst, straining on defecation or urination, vomiting or diarrhea. You will be able to inform your vet of the symptoms.

Puppies with digestive upsets can soon become dehydrated, as the body loses moisture and essential salts and sugars (electrolytes), so it is imperative they are seen by a vet within a couple of hours if an ailment has not cleared up. If the condition worsens during this time, consult a vet sooner.