Understanding Dogs
Hound Charming
New Dog Guardian Guide
Congratulations! You are planning on or have just welcomed your new puppy/dog to your home and you are excited. We are excited as well!
First, make sure you have researched the breed you want as your new family member and ensure his needs fit with your lifestyle, not only now, but also in your future in terms of family, travel and work etc.
Many breeds can be found for adoption in the UK and abroad so please consider giving a home to a dog in need before deciding to buy a puppy from a breeder.
Now, here is a simple guide to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Essential Shopping list:
1. HARNESS AND COLLAR: Invest in a good x or y shaped harness; harnesses distribute pressure over a larger area on the dog's body. Collars can inflict damage to your dog's neck and throat. You can use collars for ID tags. Brands we like are Perfect Fit and Ruffwear but any comfortable harness that allows freedom of movement is good.
2. LEASH: There are various lengths that you can pick from. Aim for a long leash about 10m long for more freedom on long walks and sniffairis. Ones made from biothane are ideal because they don't get wet or dirty, but canvas is ok too. Please do not use retractable leashes with the plastic box handles they are dangerous for you and your dog. You can use a regular one about 2-5m long for bathroom breaks, street walking and vet visits.
3. TOYS: Make sure you have different types of toys and rotate them so your pooch doesn't get bored, novelty is key. Always supervise your dog while playing. You can play tug of war or fetch with your dog or offer him safe chew toys. Play, toys and enrichment are an essential part of daily life for your dog.
Here are some of our favourite toys for your toy box:
Flirt pole:
Stuffed toys:
Make sure they are made out of safe material that will not be easily ingested. Always supervise toys and chewing materials.
Frisbee and Balls:
4. BRUSH AND NAIL CLIPPERS: Introduce these items to your dog slowly and pair with food so they associate grooming with good things. Brushing helps with shedding and minimizes dead hair around your house as much as possible. Longhaired and double-coated breeds need more frequent brushing. Nail clipping or grinding should be performed carefully so it doesn't reach the dog's quick.
It's better to form positive associations with these things from the start than to try and alter the animals feelings after a bad experience. For more information, please enquire about our consent training module.
5. PET OR BABY GATES: To establish which areas are off limits and protect possessions, create safe containment and protect dogs and children from one another. Containment helps in the potty training phase. Eventually you can increase the space for your dog to roam when he is fully potty trained or grown out of his teething phase. X pens are for containment also with small puppies. For more information, please enquire about our containment module.
6. SHAMPOO: Choose a shampoo specifically made for dogs and keep away from any harsh human shampoos since they can result in inflammation and skin irritation. Look carefully at the list of ingredients as some dog shampoos sold contain toxins. Dogs don't need as much bathing as you might think, but it is a good idea to get them used to it in early life with good experiences. We can help you with this as part of the coaching process.
7. PARASITE PREVENTION and MEDICATION: Consult with your trusted vet to choose the best medication for your dog. Your geographical location will determine what parasites are a risk for your dog and what product availability. We recommend Advantage Flea Treatment and Panacur wormer for dogs with a sensitive tummy.
8. BED: You can makeshift a bed from an old pillow, blanket or duvet. If you wish to buy a purpose made bed that is ok too, but they can become expensive toys with some dogs.
9. CRATE: A crate can be a safe place for your dog to sleep or decompress. Crate training is helpful particularly if you are planning to travel. Contact us if you need any help with crate training.
10. PUPPY PADS: These are useful in the potty training phase for short absences and overnight. Disposable and reusable pads are available.
11. CLEANING SUPPLIES: You should buy or make an enzymatic cleaner to break down odours and prevent your dog from being drawn back to use the same spots indoors. Don't use any cleaning products with ammonia and avoid mops which spread the odour. Old or rough towels for bathing and wiping your dog down after walks are very handy too.
12. WATER AND FOOD BOWLS: You can make eating a more interesting and enriching experience if you ditch feeding them right out of the bowl. We have a separate introductory canine enrichment guide available free upon request. See also the canine enrichment group linked in our useful resources section below.
13. POOP SCOOPS OR POOP BAGS: A responsible dog guardians, we need to clean up after our dogs. At home, you can choose to use a dog poop bin and there are environmentally friendly options available when outdoors.
Your Dog's New Environment:
1. Introduce your puppy to his new environment slowly. Make sure to take it at his own pace, and give him a few days to settle in his new home. This is particularly important if you are adopting a dog from a rescue.
2. Designate a safe space for him away from busy areas around the house. You can set up his bed in this area if you want.
3. Puppy proof your house so you set your pooch up for success and prevent any damage to your house. Pet gates will come in handy at this point.
4. Set up a routine that will work for you early on, this includes eating, sleeping, exercise, enrichment and potty breaks. Exercise will vary according to the breed, size, age and energy level. Make sure you keep a consistent feeding schedule to help with potty training.
Here are some tips for potty training:
Dogs have the urge to relieve themselves right after:
1. Waking up
2. After feeding times
3. During/after play times.
Take your dog out at these times, reward him when he does his business in the right place and repeat. You will also want to take him outside before sleep. Consistency is key. For more information, please enquire about our potty training module.
Socialization:
You can and SHOULD socialize your dog with healthy vaccinated animals in domestic homes and gardens before he completes his vaccinations. You can also take your puppy out in a sling or stroller to see the world safely.
Introduce your dog to his new neighbourhood when he has finished his vaccinations. You can set up play dates for your pooch or check out a dog park or a day care. Make sure to go at his own pace and read his body language so it is not a stressful experience. Socialization also includes introducing your dog to people, novel objects, and life-experiences. We can help with how to introduce your dog to other dogs and how to tackle socialization in general.
Choosing a Vet:
Make sure to ask for recommendations for a good vet beforehand. Ideally your vet should be close to you for any emergencies. Take your dog to the vet for practice sessions. Pair the visit with treats, affection and good things so that he has a good time there. This is an insurance policy for the future.
Feeding your dog:
You can buy commercial raw, dry or wet food. Confused about what to feed? You can consult our expert team. What we advise may differ slightly based on your geographical location and availability in your area. We don't advise trying to home cook for your dog as it’s very difficult to ensure they get a balanced diet.
Also, here is a list of food that are harmful or toxic to dogs:
Keep track of what your dog likes and dislikes, this will help you determine high and low value treats for training.
On the Move: You will need a treat pouch for training sessions and walks. You can buy a purpose made pouch or make one from an old shoulder bag. Silicone ones are available for wet treats. If you are serious about video coaching, a tripod for your phone would also be a good investment they are available for about £10 on Amazon.
Finally, enjoy these weeks and months. They can be tough, but like with human babies, puppies mature quickly and you will wonder where the time went. The days are long, but the years are short.
If we can be of any help, please get in touch with our team. We have coaching solutions for every household and every budget. You can contact us at www.houndcharming.com
Useful Resources:
On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas
The Do No Harm Dog Training group on Facebook and its training mannual
https://www.facebook.com/groups/664027960470508/?ref=share
The Canine Enrichment Group on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/group/canineenrichment/?ref=share
The ISCP dog body language webinar
Animals are our priority, we are an animal-centred charity.
Currently, we focus on the animals that cannot survive in the streets alone.
We only adopt out to homes where we know our rescues will be safe.
We are on several social media platforms. You can click below to visit them.
We don't take animals from people who do not want them
We do not adopt out to anyone who asks
We do not focus on human needs. We are an animal-centred charity
We are always looking for volunteers who can be actively involved
We also need fosters who can care for cats and dogs, sometimes the animals have special needs.
