Advice on caring about your dog

Each year Derry City Council is left with the unfortunate task of destroying a large number of unwanted dogs. The Council would urge those people thinking about acquiring a household pet to put a considerable amount of thought into it before doing so.

Having a pet dog can bring you a lifetime of fun and happy memories.  Owning a dog is a long-term commitment and expense as the average life span of a dog is 15 years.  Think about which dog (if any) will suit your family and lifestyle. Daily responsibilities include: exercising, feeding, grooming, training and cleaning up after your dog.  Some breeds will need more stimulation and exercise than others or they may become destructive.

5 Basic Rights

Every animal has five basic rights which must be upheld by its owner. These are:

1. Freedom Of Movement:  Dogs should not be curtailed for prolonged periods of time in a kennel, outhouse or chained up at the bottom of the garden.
2. Food & Water:  Dogs should have constant access to clean, fresh water. Dogs should be fed at least twice per day. Puppies should be fed three to four times per day until they are six months old. Pet food manufacturers now produce breed-specific formulae which have a certain balance of protein and vitamins for that breed, e.g. working dogs such as Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds or Border Collies require higher levels of protein than an average pet. Check dog food packaging for more details.
3. Shelter:  Dogs should have a clean, draught free building or kennel which protects them from the elements. Kennels should be cleaned out every other day to ensure the dog's continued good health.
4. Exercise:  Depending on breed, dogs should receive anywhere between 30 minutes to one hour's exercise every day.
5. Psychological Freedom:  Like humans, dogs become stressed if unable to express their frustration. A stressed dog behaves in a way that will attract human attention. Barking, biting and chewing furniture, chasing, digging, and forgetting its house training are all behavioural signs that the dog is not at ease with its environment.

Other considerations

Grooming:  Depending on breed, some dogs will require regular grooming. It is advised that dogs be brought to a professional groomer if they have long, difficult coats. In summer be on the lookout for fleas and ticks on your dog's scalp.

Insurance:  Insuring a dog will cover owners against third party liability; should your dog damage property or individuals the insurance company will be liable for damages. Insurance also covers the prohibitive costs of some veterinary treatment. Always check the individual policy beforehand. Please note: routine treatment like spaying and neutering, and treatment during pregnancy are not included in most policies. Consult your vet for more advice.

Neutering:  Prevents the misery of unwanted litter. Promotes the health and well being of your pet. See our dedicated Neutering section for further details.

Vaccinations:  Five serious infectious diseases threaten a dog throughout its life: canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus infection and two forms of leptospirosis. Prevention by vaccination is therefore important (a combined vaccination giving full protection against all five diseases is normally advised), and must be started in puppyhood and maintained by annual booster doses throughout the animal's life.

Older dogs that are rehomed from a shelter are normally vaccinated and the new owner will receive a certificate of vaccination. Vets normally advise that older dogs with no vaccination history do have a complete primary course followed by annual booster.

Cars:  Hot Weather:  Travelling in heat can be very dangerous for a dog and should be avoided if possible.   A dog is incapable of dealing with high temperatures inside a car, and will quickly suffer from heatstroke and eventual heart failure. Even parking in the shade is risky - the sun could move directly overhead.  Make sure  your dog has plenty of space in the car, there is shade and it isn`t forced to sit in direct sunlight.  Take plenty of stops and have lots of water available.  Ideally take cold water and ice cubes in a flask, so it stays cold longer.  Never leave your dog in a car in warm weather and never walk past a dog if he is over-heating in a car.  Call the dog wardens, police or USPCA.

Travelling:  When traveling always ensure your pet is safely contained in a travel harness or kept in a traveling crate strapped into the back seat. Any dog allowed to wander loose in the back of a car is lethal baggage because in an accident a dog will hurtle, torpedo-like, often maiming itself, the driver, as well as proving a danger if ejected through the windscreen.

Obedience:  A happy dog is a well-trained dog. Dogs should be taught the basic commands of obedience: sit, down, heel, stay, come and leave. These commands will give you confidence that you ill be able to control your dog.

As leader of the ’pack’, humans should ensure they have certain privileges over their dog. If these rights are observed from an early age then owners will have a well-mannered, considerate dog.

1. Never let your dog share your bed. A dog should be kept as far away from the bedroom as possible to indicate that it is the lowest ranking member of the ’pack’.
2. As master, you have the right to eat first, and this will ensure the dog knows its place. Never feed a dog from the table or throw him scraps. Wait until the table is cleared then feed the dog.
3. Owners should win nearly all games of strength. Depending on the size of the dog, owners should never let their dog consistently win play games. This confuses a dog.
4. Owners should go first through doorways and upstairs. Allowing your dog to push ahead is sending out the wrong message - that it is superior in ranking. Teach your dog to wait at doorways and reward him for his good behaviour. 
5. As master, every owner has the right to refuse or demand attention from his or her dog. If a dog acts inappropriately to gain your attention, ignore him. Then demand the dog's attention when he is otherwise engaged as this indicates to the dog who is in control. 

If you require information on training schools in your area, check Yellow Pages, contact your dog warden or local vet who will be only too happy to advise you.

Barking Dogs:  Barking dogs are one of the top domestic noise complaints that Council receives every year.  We would ask that owners never let your dog become a nuisance to your neighbour.  For further advice on how to train your dog not to nuisance bark please contact your Dog Wardens. 

 

Contact

Micheal Duddy   
Kennel Supervisor/Dog Warden 
Tel: 028 71 261414    

Malachy Duddy
Dog Warden
Tel: 028 71365151
 

Links

www.uspca.co.uk
www.dogstrust.org.uk
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/