A dog's guide to a healthy life

Are you thinking of getting a dog as a pet?

Please consider the following points:

• Do you have time?
• Suitable accommodation?
• An area to exercise a dog?
• Can your budget meet the cost?

A medium size dog can cost you between £8 and £10 per week to feed, plus vets fees, and kennelling fees if you go on holiday.  On average, £650 per year will be spent on your dog.  With an average life span of 12 years the total cost could be over £7500.

In order to fit into your household, a dog has to conform to the basic ground rules of the society in which it lives.

Training your puppy

• Start training early, before he has learnt bad habits.
• Teach the five main exercises, heel, sit, stay, wait and come when called.
• Keep your voice pleasant and praise success.
• Try and enrol at a local dog training class.  Contact telephone numbers are at the bottom of this page.

Toilet training can be a simple task with some puppies, but with others it can be a long and time consuming affair, so be very patient with your puppy.

You will soon recognise the signs that he wants to go to the toilet.

• Start by putting him on the newspaper, he will then learn to go on the newspaper himself.
• Over the new few weeks, keep moving the paper towards the outside door.
• Find a suitable part of your garden and take the pup there and wait.  When your pup has finished, praise him.  Say the word 'busy', as the pup starts to go and he will soon recognise this and go on command.

A visit to the vets

Vaccinations and worming

• First vaccinations are given at about eight weeks.  Your vet will advise you when it is safe to take your dog out and about.
• Your dog will need to be wormed at regular intervals.  Seek the advice of your vet.
• Always keep your vaccination certificates, as your dog will need boost vaccinations at least once a year.  Also, most kennels will not board a dog which has not been vaccinated.

Dogs should always be protected against the major canine diseases.

Keep dogs on a lead

• Keep your dog under control
• When out in the countryside never let your dog worry livestock.
• Remember a farmer is entitled to kill your dog if it is worrying livestock.
• Dangerous dogs Act 1991 - A dog proved by the court to be a danger to the public may be destroyed and the owner fined

Dogs and the law

• It is an offence to let your dog stray in a public place.
• All dogs in a public place must wear a collar and tag with the name and address of the owner.
• Dogs must not be allowed to bark for long periods as this causes a nuisance to neighbours and is an offence.
• Dog bye-laws are now in force throughout North Shropshire.  The bye-laws make it an offence to allow your dog to foul.

Fireworks and your pets

Advice from the RSPCA is:

• Seek advice from your vet before the firework season begins.
• Never let fireworks off near any animals.
• If you have a private fireworks party, use lower noise fireworks and inform animal owners in your neighbourhood.
• Ensure all pets are kept indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off; close curtains and leave a TV or music on to mask the noise.
• Pick up firework debris after it has cooled down and dispose of it properly, as this can harm animals.
• Text 'BANG' to the RSPCA on 60022 for advice on animals and fireworks.

Useful contact numbers

Keith Clorley - Dog Warden

North Shropshire District Council

Tel: 01939 238460 Mobile: 07702 166039

Oswestry and District Ringcraft (Show Dogs)

Mrs R Webster  Tel: 01691 622332 

Grinshill Animal Rescue (Stray dogs)

Mrs J Martinez  Tel: 01939 220211

National Dogs Trust Roden Kennels

Tel: 01952 770225

Related Websites

RSPCA