In our opinion, the majority of behavior issues in dogs is related to just a few things: their diet, their training, their exercise and how they’re cared for. If you can manage to get those right, you’ve about covered it all.
Feeding and treats
Most of a dog's diet is made up of the type and amount of food it eats. The rest is made up of water. Water needs to be fresh and clean, like the food.
The term "complete" on the packaging indicates that the dog food contains all the required nutrients and ingredients for the dog. "Complementary" food does not contain all the nutrients and should be given along with other food. Some dog owners do not recognise complementary treats and mixers.
The feeding guide on the bag is a starting point only. The guide is weight-based and two dogs of the same weight may require different levels of energy burning. Also, a scoop is often times misunderstood as a measuring tool. A scoop can vary in size and thus may cause inconsistencies when measuring food. A good way to tell if you are feeding your dog the correct amount is to feel their ribs. Your dog's ribs should be easily discernible and a waist should be visible when looking from the side.
All that training to keep your dog at a healthy weight can get thrown out the window the minute you give in to those puppy dog eyes. According to veterinarians, the recommended amount of treats given to a dog in a day should be no more than 10% of their total daily calories. Some foods can be toxic to dogs and should be avoided. These include chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, macadamian nuts, cooked bone, xylitol, and peanut butter.
Training, behaviour and breeds
Using treats and praise to train your dog is effective and will not harm your dog in any way. The advice to "be the alpha" or "establish dominance" over your dog has been shown to make problems such as anxiety and fear in dogs even worse. The UK charity LUPUS and other behavioral charities and organisations agree with this and recommend reward based training. You can reward your dog with treats, and praise, and in the meantime, manage your dog's access to situations where he or she behaves inappropriately. Sessions should not be lengthy.
The first year of a dog’s life is crucial. Before the age of 4 months, puppies should be socialised by meeting different people and dogs as well as experiencing various sounds and surfaces. Adequate socialisation at this age will help the dog be well adjusted as an adult. This socialisation window is closed after the age of 4 months. Older rescue dogs should still be socialised if possible. It will just take longer.
The breed of a dog is something to consider when looking to adopt. For instance, Border Collies are bred to work. So, if you don’t provide them with an outlet for their energy, they will create their own job. Also, a terrier will most likely have prey drive, so they may not get along with small animals. Before choosing a dog based on appearance, learn about the breed and their history.
When you wish to purchase a puppy in England, you are only allowed to purchase from a licensed breeder or rescue, and you have the right to see the puppy with its mother. Similar laws are in place in Scotland and Wales.
Training, behaviour and breeds
Exercise and grooming
There are many factors other than size that impact exercise needs. Breed, age, and health are some other factors. Some small terriers can outwalk a Great Dane. Generally, all adult dogs require a daily walk. They also benefit from exercise that involves time off-leash and other activities that stimulate their mind, such as training and activities that promote problem solving. These activities also help to build and maintain muscle strength and endurance.
Consider temperature. Dogs don’t cool down as efficiently as us. This is even more true for dogs with pushed-in faces like Pugs and Bulldogs. Try walking in the early morning or late at night to avoid the heat of the day. You can also use the back of your hand to test the temperature. If it’s too hot for your hand to touch for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your dogs’ paws.
Grooming is preventive care. Regular brushing helps catch matting (where fur becomes solid and doesn't move), and can help find lumps, ticks and sores. Nails that clack when they strike the floor mean they're too long.
The two legal rules that catch owners out
Dogs in England, Scotland, and Wales must be microchipped by the time they are 8 weeks old and the database entry must be modified to reflect any changes to the dog’s owner, address, or contact information. The microchip by itself does not meet the legal requirement if the database entry does not reflect the most recent information.
The second rule states that in a public place a dog has to wear a collar with the name and address of the owner embedded on the collar or with a tag. A microchip doesn’t substiture for this. If you use a harness on your dog, make sure the collar has the owner info embedded or attached with a tag as well.
When to call the vet
Some conditions need immediate attention. For deep-chested dogs, any swelling of the abdomen can be a real emergency, as it can quickly lead to a life threatening condition called gastrointestinal bloat. If you see your dog trying to throw up, but nothing comes up, or if he has a swollen abdomen, call the vet immediately.
More reasons to not delay: vomiting or diarrhea repeatedly, not eating for 24 hours, collapse, labored breathing while at rest, and a limp that is not improving. Other issues may be caught by your yearly check-in with your medical personnel. Also, keep your vaccinations and preventative treatment for parasites up to date and issues with those will be addressed before they become significant.