DOGS
Dog DiggingHello, dog lovers, wherever you are!
Dog EatingSo, you are thinking about getting a dog.
LIFE SPAN - A dog can live up to 16 years or more but the average life span is 10-16 years.
ADVANTAGES
They really are man's best friend and give you unquestioned love and loyalty.
DISADVANTAGES
A badly trained dog can end up being man's worst enemy.  Having to remove dog poo from public places.  The costs involved in owning a dog can be expensive with the initial cost (especially if it is a pedigree) plus micro chipping, grooming, vaccinations, etc..
CARE
If a dog is living in an home environment it's care is very easy as it merely lives alongside yourself. When I do home checks on re-homed dogs I often ask to see their sleeping quarters only to be shown the sofa. Obviously you can provide it with its own bed and it will need its own food dishes. Most dogs enjoy a good walk going crazy as soon as they see their lead and, depending on the size of the dog, should be given one at least once a day - it keeps you fit too and you meet alsorts of nice doggy people whose name you'll never know but you know the name of their dog! 
GROOMING
It is advantageous to get your dog use to grooming when it is a puppy. Most dogs moult approximately twice a year.  There are many grooming aids available on the market depending on what sort of coat your dog has. Some breeds may need to be clipped and this can be done professionally by a Dog Groomer or yourself if you have some clippers. I clip mine. There isn't a sadder sight than seeing a dog whose coat is full of mats as it looks very uncomfortable and encourages alsorts of mites to move in.
Only bath a dog when necessary usually after it has rubbed itself into some vile smelling substance . Use warm water and a dog shampoo, rinse thoroughly and towel rub it (use hair dryer for older or long haired dogs). Whilst grooming your dog, always check and clean its ears with cotton wool if it is necessary, as a dirty ear can soon become an infected ear.
Always check its teeth and claws. You can now get dog tooth-paste so it might be advisable to clean its teeth as per the manufacturers instructions to avoid expensive dental care later in life.
 
Dog BathDogs at Work
My Dogs at Work
 
VACCINATIONS
Recommended vaccinations:-
  • Parvovirus
  • Distemper
  • Infectious canine hepatitis
  • Parainfluenza
  • Leptospira canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae
Don't panic, these are all treated at once with one injection
FEEDING
Most pet dogs are fed a brand of dog food bought from the supermarket, whether it be tinned or dried food. The manufacturers always suggest amounts of food to be given depending upon the size of the dog.

There are also a lot of dog treats available which will do no harm to your pet if given in moderation and some bones, hide chews and dog biscuits actually exercise their teeth and jaws making them healthier. Please note - chocolate is actually poisonous to dogs so, if you cannot resist that appealing look, only give them a small amount. Wicksie, my dog, actually ate a whole chocolate orange she pinched during the night and survived - much to my husband's disappointment as it was his chocolate!  Always make sure a clean bowl of water is available.

AILMENTS
It is advisable to vaccinate your dog against the ailments in red as most of these conditions can be fatal.

PARVOVIRUS

This is one of the most common, infectious viruses of today. Symptoms include severe diarrhea and vomiting, extreme fatigue and loss of appetite. Take your dog to the vet immediately.

DISTEMPER

This is caused by a virus, similar to measles in children, which can be spread very easily. Symptoms vary and include fever, loss of appetite, ocular and nasal discharges, vomiting and diarrhea. Complications are common and include pneumonia or nerve damage. Take your dog to the vet immediately.

CANINE HEPATITIS

This is a distemper like infection, characterised by high temperatures and caused by a virus which attacks the liver. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect it has this.

PARAINFLUENZA

LEPTOSPIROSIS

A world-wide disease caused by several species of spirochetes. Canicola affects the kidneys, and icterohaemorrhagiae attacks the liver and intestines. Can be caught through infected urine of other dogs and rats.
DOG TRAINING
This is covered on a page of its own -  Pet Behavourist . However, you must ensure that your dog understands a few basic commands, the most important of all being NO.  If all else fails, at least you can stop your dog from doing something it shouldn't. Sit and stay are two others.
DOG WALKING 
Sometimes we are unable to walk our dogs ourselves through sickness or work and need to enlist the assistance of a professional dog walker which are listed on the Dog Walkers page. 

LINKS - Click on any of the icons below to get to the site:-

Dizzy's Deaf Dogs Information Site - www.deafk9.com

A wonderful site packed full of information on coping with deaf dogs


A lovely site with lots of dog pictures and information about training, etc.
A site packed full of information including Rescue Dogs