Bringing your new dog home
Whether your dog is a crossbreed or a purebred animal it will still require the same care and attention. Before bringing your new puppy home ensures that you are able to keep the dog securely confined to your own property. Decide whether the dog is to live outside or to be allowed inside the house.
For the first few nights the puppy will fret for the company of its litter mates and may whimper during the night. Make sure that the puppy has a snug, warm and secure bed in a confined area.
When you bring the puppy or dog home make sure the house is quiet and allow it to settle without too much fuss. Once your puppy or dog has settled into its new home it should be familiarized with all the normal household noises and activities and introduced to visitors to ensure that it becomes confident and well socialized.
Feeding Your Dog
To maintain your dog's health and well being it must have a balanced diet. Puppies and dogs fed an all meat diet will develop nutritional deficiencies and growth problems. The most reliable and convenient way to provide a balanced and palatable diet is to feed high quality prepared dog food, both canned and dry. Puppies have different nutritional requirements to adult dogs and for this reason it is essential to feed your puppy with specially formulated puppy foods in canned and dry forms.
Cow's milk is unnecessary and may cause diarrhea. Commercially prepared pet milk with low lactose is recommended.
Puppies need frequent small meals and for details of appropriate amounts to be fed for your dog's age refer to the feeding guides on the packaging of the prepared products or be guided by the recommendations of your veterinarian.
Any changes to diet should be made gradually over several days
Water is essential to your dog's well being and clean water must be available at all times. Your dog should have its own sturdy food and water bowls that should be placed near the sleeping area.
Puppies and dogs also enjoy chewing on large raw bones, but remember never offer cooked bones or those likely to splinter. Virtually every dog on the island gets cooked bones including ours & yes, chicken bones, it’s not a problem.
YOUR DOGS HEALTH
Health care
Dogs are hardy animals but require a few precautions to ensure they remain healthy.
Vaccinations
When you purchase your dog ask for its vaccination certificate which will be signed by a veterinarian. If your dog or puppy has had no previous vaccinations or if you are unsure whether it has been vaccinated, you should take it to your veterinarian to receive a health check and vaccinations for canine distemper, viral hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough. Puppies require the first vaccinations between 6 - 8 weeks with the second at 12 - 16 weeks old. All dogs require a 'booster' vaccination every 12 months. Puppies should not be taken to areas where there are other dogs until the initial cvaccination course is complete. Infectious cannine diseases whicha re often fatal are very common in Thailand.
Worms
Dogs need to be wormed regularly to control roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms which live in the intestine. This is easily done by using one of the many available preparations, either as tablets or liquids. All dogs should be wormed every three months, although puppies must be done more frequently. Follow the instructions on the preparations or consult your veterinarian.
Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and is present in many areas of Australia and can be fatal. There are several preventative products now available including daily or monthly tablets.
All dogs other than very young puppies must be tested by a veterinarian before starting a heartworm prevention program as the medication can be fatal to dogs already infected.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are often a problem during the warmer months. Adult fleas present on the dog may be killed using sprays, powders, rinses or flea collars, but is necessary to treat other pets and also the environment, especially the dog's bedding. Precautions and directions on the packaging of the flea control products must be followed exactly. Ticks occur in most areas of Thailand and can be fatal to dogs. If you live in an area where there are paralysis ticks you should check your dog daily and remove any ticks. If a tick is found consult your veterinarian immediately.
Dental hygiene
Clean teeth are important for healthy gums and fresh breath. Some dogs' teeth need more attention than others. Ask you local vet for the best approach to care for your dog's teeth - it may be a regular check up and cleaning, brushing, feeding large raw bones or giving your dog specifically designed dog chews.
Training your dog
A dog that has been taught a few simple rules will become a well adjusted and well behaved family pet. Just as with children, puppies and dogs need to be taught manners and the rules of the house. From the time you bring your new puppy home it must be taught not to chew household items or bite- even in play. It must also be taught that unnecessary barking is not allowed. Always make the puppy obey the command 'sit' before being petted or fed.
The key to training your dog is to realize that it really does want to please you. Praise and reward your dog for appropriate behavior and use a stern 'no' when you wish to correct behavior.
Training will not only make your dog a more pleasurable companion but it may also one day save its life.
Neighborly manners
Dogs that are allowed to bark excessively disturb the neighborhood and neighbors will be unlikely to investigate a disturbance should something be amiss. Constant barking can often be sign of boredom and dogs need regular walking for physical and mental stimulation. When walking your dog it should be kept on a lead and you must observe all council regulations.
Your dog should never be allowed to wander or roam. The consequences can be severe, and the dog becoming lost or even injured or killed by a motor vehicle.
Grooming
Regular grooming is a must to keep your dog looking and feeling its best. Naturally, long-haired or densely coated breeds require brushing more frequently than short haired dogs. Some breeds require regular professional clipping. Puppies should be accustomed to being brushed and combed from an early age. Your veterinarian can assist with cutting nails and cleaning teeth.
Breeding
If your dog has puppies it is your responsibility to find suitable homes remember each litter can contain 4-8 dogs. If you are not planning to breed from your dog it is advisable to have it de sexed by the age of six months. Unless your dog is kept in the house as a house pet it will come into contact with other dogs and unless neutered or spayed has a large chance of becoming pregnant.
Lost dogs
Unfortunately dogs sometimes do get lost. You can help prevent this by making sure your dog always wears a collar and identification tag with your telephone number or is micro chipped.
Confine your dog during thunderstorms and fireworks displays. If your dog is lost check with your neighbors, your local veterinary clinics, animal welfare organizations, the pound.
Holidays
You will need to consider how best to care for your dog while you are absent from home. Your veterinarian can possibly recommend a reputable boarding kennel. You should make arrangements well in advance if you intend boarding your dog during school holiday periods. The dog's vaccinations will be required to be up to date. If you are only absent for a few days you may arrange for a neighbor or a home feeding service to visit and feed your dog.
Never leave your dog in the car, as cars can become very hot even on moderately warm days and the dog can quickly die from heat exhaustion.
Dogs and children
A dog can truly be a child's best friend if the child and the dog are taught how to play together. Running and chasing games with children and the dog should always be supervised by an adult until an understanding has developed between the dog and child. Most dogs are loyal and trustworthy companions but if your dog is not used to children it should be introduced to them under careful supervision and should not be left alone with them. Supervision with young children and dogs is advised at all times.
Cleaning up after your dog
Responsible dog owners must ensure that their dog does not soil parks, gardens, beaches or streets by giving the dog every opportunity to relieve itself in its own backyard before being taken for a walk. Accidents may happen and it is your responsibility to be prepared by carrying plastic bags or commercially available 'pooper scoopers' to clean up and dispose of your dog's feces. |
