Dog Care and Training
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Dog Care
Basic Care
Dog Rescue Newcastle have written a one page Basic Dog Care Summary (PDF format).
Skin Problems
If you have a dog who is itching, scratching, or biting himself, we have written this 7 page document listing possible causes of skin problems and their solutions Skin Problems in Dogs: Causes and Treatments (PDF format). It includes help dealing with fleas and a comprehensive allergy elimination diet for finding out if a food allergy is part of the problem.
Persistently itchy skin in dogs can be caused by one or more of a number of factors:
- Stress
- Dirty or dry skin or matted fur
- Contact with things in the environment
- Airborne allergens
- Fleas
- Allergy to a particular food
- Dog's Allergy Elimination Diet
Bored Dogs
With our busy lifestyles, many dogs spend hours each day left to their own devices, sometimes leading to
social and behavioural problems. As we learn more about animals it is increasingly apparent that mental health is
of enormous importance to their wellbeing. The 5 page document Backyard Fun for Your Dog (PDF format) contains a list of suggestions to provide
environmental enrichment for those times when your dog is left home alone.
Since dogs are
social animals it is vitally important that you spend quality time with your dog each day, so these ideas should be
used in addition to your normal family interaction, dog training and walking.
Comprehensive Guide
 For a comprehensive guide, we recommend Adopting a Rescue Dog, a free, 107 page guide to the first week of bringing a rescue dog into your home and helping him become a part of your family. Filled with useful tips, we think it can help both you and your new companion get off to a great start. Topics include:
- A Month Before You Adopt
- Selecting a Rescue Dog
- Preparing Your Home
- Introducing Your Dog To Your Home
- Real Tips/Stories From Owners
- Training
- Socializing
- Healthcare
Download your free copy from the author's website. The book is in PDF format. You'll need the free Adobe Reader to open it. If you don't already have it, download the free Adobe Reader.
Dog Nutrition and Holistic Health Care
If you donate at least $20 you can choose to receive one of two Electronic Books from the author: a book about dog food and nutrition (PDF) or a book about holistic health care for dogs (PDF). Thanks to our sponsor Doggy Pause for this offer. Send us an email when you make your donation and your e-book will be emailed to you by the author.
Dog Training
We advocate the use of only positive training methods, ie: rewarding good behaviour; no hitting or punishment. Why not punishment?
House Training (Toilet Training)
Dog Rescue Newcastle have produced a 3 page guide How to Housetrain Your Puppy or Dog (PDF).
Dog Training Book
We recommend The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training, Second Edition by Pamela Dennison. This guide demonstrates positive training methods, based on a system of rewards and encouragement, to teach basic commands and house training, and correct a host of problem behaviors. It is available from Dymocks online or by ringing Dymocks in Sydney (02) 9235 0155.
Dog Classes and Trainers
We strongly recommend dog training classes for all puppies and adult dogs. They are a great way to bond with your dog and will give you all the knowledge you need to ensure your dog is a happy, well behaved member of your family. Most vets offer puppy and dog training classes.
If you want to hire a dog trainer, especially if you are dealing with problem behaviours, we can suggest two in the Newcastle area:
Please mention Dog Rescue Newcastle when you contact these trainers.
Dog Training Web Resources
There are lots of free resources on the web. Check out these excellent web sites:
Dog Scouts: Very Helpful Articles - everything you ever wanted to know and more, about training issues including dealing with problems.
Dog Scouts: Training Videos - Videos teaching stay, heel, leave it, dog body language, etc.
Dog Scouts: Why Not Punishment - Articles which clearly explain the negative side-effects, and dangers associated with physical punishment and threat based forms of training and of training equipment that uses pain or discomfort. While punishment based training sometimes works in the short term, it takes a toll on the mental state of every dog subjected to it. Sometimes seriously enough that the animal must be killed. Reward based methods are more pleasant for both teacher and dog and achieves the same, or better, level of compliance and precision.
Steve Austin's Training Tips for sit, drop, stay, come, walking on lead, puppy training and house training (toilet training).
StarMark Clicker Expanded Guide is a free, 60 page, dog training guide from StarMark. You can use any clicker available from a pet shop for this positive, fun, and quick training method. Or, you can also say the word "yes" to mark good behavior instead of using a clicker. You'll need the free Adobe Reader to open this 2MB PDF file. If you don't already have it, download the free Adobe Reader.
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