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ADOPTING A NEW DOG
EDITORIAL Dog intelligence is the ability of a dog to learn, think, and solve problems.Dog trainers, owners, and researchers have as much difficulty agreeing on a method for testing canine intelligence, as they do for human intelligence. Certain breeds, like Border Collies and Golden Retrievers, are generally easier to train than others.It is worth noting that these descriptions are relative to other dogs, not relative to the world at large.The ability to learn and obey commands is not the only possible measurement of intelligence. Dogs are pack animals. “Pack” means that they understand social structure and obligations and are capable of learning how to behave around other members of the pack. Adult canines train their young by correcting them when they behave in an unacceptable manner (biting too hard, eating out of turn, and so on) and reward them for acceptable behavior (by playing with them, feeding them, cleaning them, and so on). That’s right — scientists are actually studying the brains of dogs. And what the studies show is welcome news for all dog owners:Not only do dogs seem to loveus back, they actually see us astheirfamily. It turns out that dogsrely onhumans more than theydo their own kind for affection,protection and everything in between. he most direct brain-based evidence that dogs are hopelessly devoted to humans comes from a recent neuroimaging study about -Archana
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CONTENTS 5
ADOPTING A NEW D G
9 WALK WITH ME BEST 10
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BREEDS
DOGS FEEDING
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PHOTO 17 BUCKET
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CARE FOR YOUR PET
ADOPTIN A NEW D G
T he first few days in your home are special and critical for a pet. Your new dog will be confused about where he is and what to expect from you. Setting up some clear structure with your family for your dog will be paramount in making as smooth a transition as possible.
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Determine where your dog will be spending most of his time. Because he will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment (from shelter or foster home to your house), he may forget any housebreaking (if any) he’s lwill work best for easy clean-up. If you plan on crate training your dog, be sure to have a crate set-up and ready to go for when you bring your new dog home. Find out more about crate training your dog. Dog-proof the area where your pooch will spend most of his time during the first few months. This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards; storing household chemicals on high shelves; removing plants, rugs, and breakables; setting up the crate, and installing baby gates. Training your dog will start the first moment you have him. Take time to create a vocabulary list everyone will use when giving your dog directions. This will help prevent confusion and help your dog learn his commands more quickly. Not sure which commands to use? Check out How to Talk to Your Dog. Bring an ID tag with your phone number on it with you when you pick up your dog so that he has an extra measure of safety for the ride home and the first few uneasy days. If he is microchipped, be sure to register your contact information with the chip’s company, if the rescue or shelter did not already do so. We know moving is stressful — and your new dog feels the same way! Give him time to acclimate to your home and family before introducing him to strangers. Make sure children know how to approach the dog without overwhelming him. Go here for more on introducing dogs and children. Once home, take him to his toileting area immediately and spend a good amount of time with him so he will get used to the area and relieve himself. Even if your dog does relieve himself during this time, be prepared for accidents. Coming into a new home with new people, new smells and new sounds can throw even the most housebroken dog off-track, so be ready just in case. Need more housetraining tips? Check out our Dog Housetraining section. -James walker
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Walk with me
Dog walking is both a pastime and a profession involving the act of a person walking with a dog, typically from the dog’s residence and then returning. This constitutes part of the daily exercise regime needed to keep a dog healthy. It also provides exercise and companionship for the walker. Have you found the best places to walk Dogs in the countryside your dog yet? Maybe we can help... We’ve a huge variety of places that are just perfect for your pooch. These could be close to urban areas, on the coast or in the countryside, within walking distance of your home, close to your holiday house or just a short drive away. There are some fantastic locations and landscapes for you and your dog to explore and enjoy, and we’ve provided facilities and information for you where we can
If you’re a dog owner in search of welcoming countryside for you and your hound, you’ll find lots of dogfriendly strolls. For wagging tails and muddy paws here are a few for you to try: Ashridge Estate, Attingham Park, Basildon Park, Brockhampton Estate, Castle Ward, Clumber Park, Clytha Park (near Abergavenny), Sheringham Park and the Stourhead Estate.
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Beaches
These facilities will vary from place to place and according to how busy they A bracing seaside walk with your may be on a particular day. Please check dog can be a wonderful thing. With over 700 miles of National Trust coast- the facilities & access webpage on your line, we have plenty of great dog-friend- destination of choice - here you’ll find details of what we have on offer for you ly coastal walks for you to discover. and your dog and details of any restricAt some of our beaches there are seations. sonal dog restrictions at busy times of the year. These are in place to manage Please keep dogs under control problems with dog fouling and protect Help keep the countryside a safe, the interests of other users, particularly healthy and enjoyable place for you and families with children. Try the beaches your dog, other visitors, wildlife and around Coleton Fishacre in Devon, livestock: Studland in Dorset or Chapel Cliff walk • Always keep your dog in sight in Polperro, Cornwall. and under control; use a lead if need
Assistance dogs Dogs assisting visitors with disabilities are welcome inside all our houses, gardens, restaurants and shops.
Facilities for your dog Many of our sites provide facilities for you and your dog, such as shady parking space in car parks, water for drinking bowls and hitching posts where dogs may be left.
be. • Never let your dog chase wildlife or farm animals; it causes serious injuries and your dog could become lost, hit by a car or shot. • We ask that if your dog fouls, particularly in car parks, near picnic and play areas and on paths, you pick up and remove the mess. There may be dedicated bins to put it in at heavily used sites. Thank you.
-Sharon Maguire
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Feeding
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ensitive stomach in dogs is usually related to a food allergy. Foods that are made up of a lot of various ingredients may be harder for your dog to digest. Think about it like this: if you are lactose intolerant, and you drink milk or eat dairy, it upsets your stomach – right? It is much the same for dogs, but it isn’t always dairy that causes them to have their sensitivities. Often, it is grains, dairy, soy, corn, too much fat, or something else that results in stomach upset. One of the best things that you can do is cut out any extras in your dog’s diet so that you can determine what the issue is.
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Next, take a look at your dog’s food. Foods made from high-quality ingredients tend to be much more digestible than lower quality products. Does your dog’s food contain too much fat? Fat is more difficult to digest than carbohydrates and proteins, so a diet that contains a moderate level of fat (approximately 15 percent) is ideal. Certain types of fiber can also promote digestive health. Look for a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, like beet pulp. Vitamins and minerals, especially those with antioxidant qualities, can also improve digestive function, so make sure your dog’s food contains appropriate levels of vitamins A, C, and E, beta carotene, and selenium.
Some dogs cannot handle a lot of variety in their diet or withstand ingredients that make their digestive systems work a little harder than normal. I’m sure you know people who can wolf down a chili cheese dog with extra onions without any problems and some who can’t. The same variability is found in pet populations (although no dog should be eating a chili cheese dog — with or without extra onions).
If you think that your dog’s current diet could be playing a role in his tummy troubles, switch to a different food that meets the criteria listed above. Of course, you still need to make sure that your dog is getting the balanced nutrition he or she needs. Use the MyBowl tool to evaluate any new diet that you are considering. When you make a switch, do so graduallynew food in with decreasing . If your dog’s symptoms are more than just mild and intermittent, or switching to a highly-digestible food doesn’t improve the situation, talk to your veterinarian. More serious conditions, like a food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease, can have symptoms that are similar to those seen in dogs with sensitive stomachs.
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Small to medium breeds
may be considered adults after about six months of age.However, large and giant breeds shouldn’t be fed as adults until they reach around one to two years depending upon the breed.
The Bottom Line
Since every dog is unique, it’s impossible to predict the serving size that’s perfect for each pet. So, start with the package’s feeding instructions — or the amount suggested by our calculator. Senior Dogs And be sure to weigh your dog every Older dogs have significantly lower few weeks. energy needs than younger ones. So, it’s Then, simply adjust that suggested serving size up or down to reach and maineasy for them to put on extra weight. tain your pet’s ideal weight. In general, small to medium dogs are considered seniors at about seven years Sure, it’s a little work. But in the end, it’s the only real life method you can scienof age. However, larger breeds reach tifically rely on. senior status much sooner — some as early as five. Final Word
Converting From Calories to Serving Size
This tool is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional Once you’ve entered your dog’s advice from your veterinarian. ideal weight and activity level, you’ll The Dog Food Calculator can know the number of calories per day. However, to convert calories into some- help you estimate the proper serving size for your pet. It’s based upon a study thing you can use, you’ll need to enter published by a respected veterinary the number of calories in your dog’s institute.1 food. To use the calculator, you’ll need The number of calories in a given amount of dog food is known as its me- to know your dog’s ideal weight. This is what you believe your pet should weigh. tabolizable energy (ME, for short). It’s Footnotes usually reported somewhere on a dog ME (kcal/day) = 110 (body food package like this… weight in kilograms)0.75 to maintain a Calories per cup (kcal/cup) typical adult dog Calories per kilogram (kcal/kilogram) Waltham Centre for Pet NuBy the way, the calculator assumes you’re feeding your dog just once a day. trition (1999), Canine Life Stages and Lifestyles, The Waltham Course on Dog If you prefer to feed your dog twice a day, be sure to divide your result in half and Cat Nutrition, p. 16 so that both meals add up to the full daily calories suggested. -Dr. Jennifer Coates
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Care For Your Pet
Like a child, your pet will depend on you for everything nourishment, medical attention, exercise and safety. You’ll want to make sure you give him the best care possible. You’ve come to the right place. These tips provide information on many areas of pet care, from choosing a collar and ID tag, to exercising your new dog or cat, to traveling with your pet, to keeping him safe at home during the cold winter months. You’ll also discover helpful information on topics that pertain to your pet’s health, including vaccinations, the importance of spaying/neutering and what to do if your pet shows signs of illness. And because caring for your pet throughout his life may include making the decision to relieve him of pain and suffering at the end of his life, you’ll find information about euthanasia -when and how to make the decision, facts about the procedure itself and suggestions for dealing with the loss of a pet and the grief that accompanies that loss. With love, commitment and proper care, your pet will grow up safe and healthy and will enrich every aspect of your life. May you enjoy every moment that you share with your new best friend!
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Much of being a responsible pet owner is understanding what your pet needs and also being aware of what your responsibilities are to the community. Following are some basic rules for pet care: • Learn about your pet’s special needs - dietary, health, housing and general care. • Provide your pet with an adequate balanced diet and ensure it has access to clean, cool drinking water at all times. • Regularly exercise your pet according to its needs. • Train your pet using kindness and positive reinforcement; • Provide appropriate housing and location for your pet; • Whilst unsupervised, keep your pet safely and securely confined to your property at all times; • To minimize boredom, provide your pet with sufficient companionship and a stimulating environment; • Protect your pet’s health by taking it to a vet whenever health problems arise and by ensuring all necessary vaccinations and treatments are up-to-date. • To help prevent disease and illness, ensure your pet has a clean environment; • Microchip your pet (where appropriate) and where required register it with your local council to increase the likelihood of return when lost. • De-sex your pet at an early age to prevent unwanted offspring. • If your pet requires grooming, do so on a regular basis
• Many pets need to be socialised with other animals and people, particularly at a young age - give your pet appropriate opportunities for mixing with others. • Teach your family, friends and children how to interact with your pet • Find suitable boarding facilities for your pet whilst on holidays. • Respect the rights of non pet owners by keeping your pet under control while in public and by disposing of any droppings made in public areas. • Provide your pet with love and attention and commit to caring for it for its entire life. Your dog gives you a lifetime of unconditional love, loyalty and friendship. In return, she counts on you to provide her with the basics, such as food, water, shelter, regular veterinary care, exercise, safety and companionship. It can be difficult to stay on top of what’s best for your own health and well-being, so knowing what’s good for your pet may seem a little confusing. Fleas are the most common external parasite that can plague pets, and they can lead to irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection. Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. All it takes is for your pet to swallow one flea, and it can to end up with tapeworms, the most common internal parasite affecting dogs and cats.
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