Etowah Valley Humane Society
Dog Care FAQ
We have compiled a list of commonly asked questions & answers about your new dog/puppy. If you have any further questions, please call us. We want this to be a smooth transition for both you and your precious new friend.
- What essentials should I purchase now?
- Food, food and water bowls, collar (adjustable is recommended for fast-growing puppies),
ID tags with name and phone number, leash, crate, chew bones and toys.
- Why are ID tags important?
- It is essential to the safety of your pet that you purchase this item now because he does
not know you that well yet. If he gets away and is frightened, he may not come back to you. He may run.
- What toys should I buy?
- Nylabones, gumabones and natural bones are excellent. We do NOT recommend hooves or pig ears.
- Does the brand of food matter?
- Yes! Of course the choice is yours, but a premium food contains more of what your pet needs and less
fillers. As a result your new pet will eat less and produce less waste. Often we use broccoli versus candy
as an analogy, your child may prefer candy, but premium food will help your new friend live a long and healthier
life. It is essential for puppies to have food formulated especially for them until one year of age!
Check the back of the bag for instructions on how much to feed your new friend according to weight.
Remember to consider how much you will be feeding when you buy a food bowl.
- Should I have water available at all times?
- Absolutely! When crating puppies or small active dogs, consider a water bottle for the side
of the crate to reduce spilling. Dogs and puppies can sleep indoors through the night without water,
but otherwise it should always be available. Make sure that your water bowl is large enough for your
dog, but not so large that the water will become dirty or slimy before refilling. Also remember that a
bowl with a heavier or wider bottom will not tip over as easily. Change the water daily!
- What is crating and why should I consider it?
- A crate is a man made den, a place your dog can go to feel safe and secure. The crate concept
works because it is based on the nature of the dog. In nature a den is a cave or a hole with only
one way in and out which provides a safe area for sleeping as well as a way to get away from danger
or agitation. If a dog or puppy has never been crated, it takes a while to get used to the idea.
But once familiar with this new home many dogs go into their crates on their own to sleep or to escape
an uncomfortable situation. If your dog is uncomfortable with visitors, getting annoyed with pesky
children or just having a bad day, he has a room all his own, a place to get away from it all.
Once your pet is in his crate leave him alone. The benefits of a crate are well worth the expense.
Crating your dog or puppy when you are not at home will keep him out of all kinds of trouble.
It will keep him safe from swallowing dangerous items and will ensure the safety of your carpet
and many items that might become chew toys while you are away. See Housetraining Your Dog
for more information on crate training.
- How do I discipline my new dog/puppy?
- Discipline is an overused term and method. What you really want to do is to teach
appropriate behavior. The main tool in teaching, whether people or animals, is to let
them know when they are doing things the right way, or positive reinforcement.
We accomplish this by praising our pals for appropriate behavior. Teaching your new
friend should begin the day you take him home. Always reward good behavior with good dog
in a high and excited voice. Next to food, pleasing you is the most important thing to your
dog. Let him know when he has done well. Sadly sometimes we do not even realize that a
behavior is a good or appropriate one until our furry friends have disappointed us.
With any offence, it is important to ask yourself, what could I have done to prevent
this from happening? Most of the time you will come up with an answer that will help
you teach the appropriate behavior. When Fido has done something wrong, only scold him
if you catch him in the act. He wont remember what he did 5 seconds later, and will only
be confused if you scold him later. If you catch him in the act, a firm no should be enough.
If not, you can try using a no can. Fill an empty soda can with a few pennies.
Shake it vigorously any time that he does something inappropriately. The noise should make him stop.
Be consistent with your rules and rewards. If you have specific problem behaviors, call us and
ask for help on how to deal with them. And remember, be patient!
- Is it necessary to take my new dog/puppy to the vet right away?
- Yes! We give you a free initial vet exam for several reasons. It is important to
have your new pet checked out by a vet to make sure that he is healthy. All dogs must be
given heartworm preventative every month. This is a great opportunity for you to get Fidos
medication without paying for a office visit. Puppies must get a complete series of puppy shots
and you should go ahead and schedule appointments for these.
- Is obedience training really necessary?
- Puppy preschool and obedience classes are a wonderful idea. You can spend quality
time with your new friend while teaching him that you are the top dog. You will learn
methods of teaching your dog, which will help you in many ways. Learning basic commands
and how to walk properly on a leash will help you have a happy relationship with your dog.
The better behaved your dog, the more places he can go with you, enhancing both your lives.
It is best to start the relationship right away before bad habits are formed.
- How do I deal with chewing?
- All dogs chew. Give them something to chew on! There are all sorts of great chew toys.
Dont give them old socks, shoes, stuffed animals, or anything that resembles something that
should not be chewed on. Dogs cant tell the difference between old shoes and your favorite shoes.
- What are some helpful hints I should know?
- Establish ground rules early. Think about what youll want in a year, not what is
cute now. If you dont want your 80 pound dog on the couch, dont let your puppy on there now.
This will confuse him later, and hes much easier to train now before hes developed bad habits.
Teach your expectations from the beginning. Changing the rules in the middle of the game isnt fair.
- What is Separation Anxiety?
- This is the fear of being separated from your family or being left alone.
The most common responses to this disorder are chewing on doors, carpet, blinds,
window sills, walls or even having diarrhea and reports of barking all day. Dogs
with this disorder become anxious and fear that each time you leave, youll leave forever.
This fear drives them to escape the confines of your home and get to you.
When bringing home a dog or puppy be aware that he could already have this disorder or
could develop it years from now. The smartest and safest way to protect your dog and your
home is by crating your dog when youre away. Dogs can do a lot of damage to your home and
the one time cost of a crate is much less than the cost of repairing your home. If your
pet suffers from separation anxiety, talk with your vet about solutions. You can also
call us for further advice.
- What is PARVO?
- Parvo is the #1 killer of puppies under 6 months of age (excluding euthanasia.)
We give you this information to educate you, not to scare you. Parvo attacks and eats
away at the intestines, eventually causing the puppy or dog to die from dehydration if
not aggressively treated (and sometimes even then.) There are vaccines to prevent your
dog or puppy from contracting parvo, but until a puppy has had all of its shots,
(3 shots at 3 week intervals) it is still susceptible. Parvo is transmitted through
feces. Your puppy can step where fecal matter is present but not visible to the eye and
still contract parvo. Because it is better to be safe than sorry, it is recommended that
you limit your puppys exposure to other pups or places where other pups have been until
hes had his full series of puppy shots. The symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration,
vomiting and refusal to eat or drink. If your puppy displays these symptoms, get him
to a vet right away.
- How do introduce my new dog to my dog at home?
- When introducing 2 or more dogs you must keep in mind the nature of the pack animal.
One dog in the group will always be the dominant dog and there will be a pecking order
from there down. At first introduction you should keep a leash on all of the dogs.
Have an adult hold each leash and keep all children away. Let them sniff each other.
This is a pet introduction. Watch the ears and listen for growls. If this happens,
say No! in a harsh voice. If signs of aggression persist, separate them and start
over in a couple of hours. This is not to say that it is common for dogs to not blend well.
This is the safest introduction in case anything unexpected should happen. It is natural for
2 alpha (strong-willed) dogs to fuss over the position of dominance. Be ready to show
them that you are in control if this happens. Make sure that everyone is getting along
pleasantly before you let him or her off the leash together. If you have multiple dogs,
let them off the leash one at a time. Just be patient and in time they will love the
companionship and playtime brought by a new friend.
- How do I introduce my new dog/puppy to my cat?
- Remember that it is the instinct of a dog to chase anything that runs and it is
better to be safe than sorry. Begin by placing your cat in a carrying crate with a towel
inside. Now place your cat in a closed room while Fido is allowed to smell the towel.
When he has lost interest in the towel, bring the cat inside the carrier out for Fido to
meet the cat. Once hissing stops and the dog has lost interest, they can begin to mingle
with Fido on a leash and you watching closely. Even if it seems that theyre getting along
smashingly, dont leave them alone together for the first month. They may become the best
of friends, but it will take a while for this bond to build.
Remember, if you have more questions, feel free to call us at (770) 383-3338.
Were more than happy to help you and your new friend!
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Dog Care
Etowah Valley Humane Society
36 Ladd's Mountain Road, Cartersville, GA 30120
(770)383-3338
Email
Don't litter! Spay or neuter your critter!
