Dogs

Introduction

Pets are fun. You can play with them, cuddle them or just watch them. You can learn a lot from having a pet: what it does, what it likes and needs, and how to look after it. And it‟s exciting to see your pet grow.

Having a pet is a big responsibility. Your pet relies on you for food, water and a safe place to live. If your pet is sick or injured, it relies on you to make sure it gets proper care.

Different pets have different needs. It is important for the health of your pet that you find out about its special needs and provide for them.

In this series, you will find useful information about six different types of pets –birds, cats, dogs, fish, mice and rats, and rabbits. It you do not have a pet, this information will help you decide which pet you would like to have, Dogs

Dogs are carnivores. A carnivore is an animal whose natural food is other animals. Like other carnivores, dogs have large canine teeth, which are used for grasping prey. Dogs also have sharp molar teeth and strong jaws.

Dogs have lived with people for around 10 000 years. The ancestors of the dogs we keep as pets today were wolves trained as hunting companions.

Like wolves, pet dogs are social animals. This means they live in groups. To a pet dog, you and your family is its group. In many ways, a pet dog still behaves like its wolf ancestors. Knowing this can help you understand your pet dog and care for it properly.

Your pet dog‟s closest relatives are wolves, foxes, dingoes and African wild dogs. There are many breeds of pet dogs. Many of these breeds were first bred to do

round up sheep, and fox terriers were bred to hunt foxes.

Different breeds of dogs are still used for different jobs. German shepherds are used by police, beagles are used to sniff for drugs at airports and Labradors are trained as guide dogs for blind people.

If you want a dog as a pet, it is important that you know about the different breeds. Some breeds may be suitable as a pet for you, while others may be unsuitable. For example, a kelpie needs a lot of exercise. If you live in an apartment, a kelpie is not a suitable pet for you.

Many dogs are a mixture of breeds. These dogs are called mixed breeds or mongrels. Mongrel dogs can make excellent pets. Choosing a dog

Before you get a dog, you need to think about these things.

1. Are you sure you really want a dog? A dog may live for 12 years or more. You must be willing to care for your pet for all of its life.

2. What breed of dog do you want? Different breeds have different sizes, temperaments and needs.

3. What age dog do you want ? you can buy a puppy or older dog?

4. Where should you get your dog? You can buy a pet dog from a licensed breeder, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(RSPCA) or from a recommended pet shop. These places can help you choose a healthy dog that is right for you. Talk to your family about these things. Ask a dog owner what it is like to have a pet dog.

Bring your dog home

When you bring your new dog home, it may take a few days to settle in. if your dog is a puppy, this may be the first time it has been apart from its brothers and

sisters. If you have a cat, there may be trouble. A cat may take a while to get used to a dog. Keep your pets separated until they get used to each other. Never leave your pet dog alone with a baby or very young child. Your dog will need a comfortable place to sleep that is dry and away from draughts. You may have a kennel or basket. When you bring your dog home, take it into the yard and walk it around on a leash. Take your dog inside and walk it around. If it begins to urinate, tug on the leash and say “NO”. Take your dog outside and let it urinate there. If it does, pat it and say ‟good dog‟.

Feeding your dog

Your dog needs a balanced diet. A balanced diet has all the nutrients a dog needs. These nutrients are:

Protein for Fat for healthy Minerals and vitamins for healthy bones and organs Fibre for a Carbohydrates

muscle growth skin and hair healthy digestive for energy system You can give your dog a balanced diet by feeding it a mixture of meat and dry dog food. The meat may be raw, cooked or in a can. Dry dog food can be bought in packets at a supermarket. The amount of food to feed your dog depends on your dog‟s age and size. You may need to feed a puppy small amount three times a day. Two meals a day is best for an adult dog. Your dog will also need clean drinking water. Dogs like chewing bones! Bones are good for a dog‟s teeth and gums. You can buy raw bones from a butcher.

Exercising your dog

All dogs need exercise. You should take your dog for a walk every day. You may

have a large backyard, which is a good place for your dog to explore and play. But, if you leave your dog alone a lot, it will become bored and may bark a lot. Or whine. Dogs need company. A local park is a good place for your dog to meet other dogs. There are areas in public parks where dogs are allowed off the leash. Take a ball when you take your dog to the park. Most dogs love to chase a ball and bring it back to you. A Frisbee is also a good toy for dogs. Dogs like to swim, but remember that snakes are active in summer. When walking along creeks and rivers at this time of year, it is best to keep your dog on a leash. Training your dog

Your dog will need training. Training teaches your dog that there are rules it must obey. Training makes a dog understand that you are the boss and that your commands must be obeyed. This is important when your dog is not on a leash. Your dog should understand simple commands like „sit‟, „come‟, ‟stay‟, ‟lie down‟, and ‟heel‟. When your dog obeys you, reward it with a pat and say ‟good dog‟ in a friendly voice. When your dog disobeys you, do not pat it. Say „no!‟ in a stern voice. If you are consistent, your dog will soon understand what you want it to do. It is very important that you do not confuse the dog by letting it get away with behaviour. You can train your dog yourself or you can take it to obedience classes. Registering your dog

When your dog is six months old, it must be registered. This means your local council will know you have a dog. To register, you must fill in a form and pay a fee. The fee is lower if your dog is desexed. Desexing is an operation that makes your dog unable to have puppies. It is important because it reduces the number of unwanted puppies. The council will give you a tag to attach to your dog‟s collar. The tag has a registration number and your phone number on it. In many places in

Australia, your dog must be microchipped. This means a computer chip is injected under the skin between your dog‟s shoulders. The chip has a number on it that can be read by a barcode reader. Microchipping allows your dog to be identified even if it is not wearing its collar.

Going on holidays

When you go on holidays, you have to decide what to do with your dog. Sometimes, you can take your dog with you. Many caravan parks, camping grounds and motels let dogs stay. If you are travelling by car, you must put your dag in a crate or cage. If your dog will travel on a seat, it must wear a harness. If you cannot take your dog, you will need someone to look after it, perhaps a friend or relative. If not, there are boarding kennels where you can leave your dog. These places charge a daily fee. Some dogs get upset if they are in a strange place. If yours does, consider leaving it at home and paying a dog walker to come every day to feed your dog and take it for a walk.

How to know when your dog is sick

Like all animals, dogs can get sick or injured. Here are some signs that tell you your dog might be sick.

1. not alert Your dog does not respond to sounds or movement 2. poor appetite Your dog does not eat much of its food. 3. no energy Your dog stays in its bed for long periods 4. vomiting Your dog brings up its food 5. hair your dog‟s coat looks dull 6. ears your dog scratches its ears a lot 7. eyes your dog‟s eyes are red and weepy 8. nose your dog‟s nose is runny or blocked

9. sore muscles or joints your dog limps or moves gingerly

Your dog‟s health can be affected by parasites. Parasites are small animals that live on or in your dog. The most common dog parasites are fleas and worms. If your dog scratches a lot, it may have fleas, which are insects that live in a dog‟s coat. Adult fleas bite the dog‟s skin and drink its blood. This makes the dog scratch. If your dog loses weight or drags its bottom along the ground , it may have worms. These parasites live inside the dog‟s intestine, feeding on the dog‟s food. Going to the vet

When your dog is sick or has an injury, take it to a vet. Your vet will tell you what is wrong with your dog. He or she may give you medicine for your dog and tell you how to look after it when you take it home. Ask your family to help you until your dog gets well again. Dogs can catch serious diseases, such as canine distemper and parvovirus. To prevent these diseases, the vet will inject your dog with a vaccine. You can keep your dog healthy by taking good care of it. This includes feeding it a healthy diet and exercising it every day.

Using the internet : http://www.heinemannlibrary.com.au/pets