Dog Care and Training
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Dog Care
Basic Care
Dog Rescue Newcastle have written a one page Dog Care Basics (PDF format).
We've also written a 25 page Information for Dog Owners (PDF format) which covers topics including veterinary care, feeding, car travel, bad breath, obedience training, housetraining, safety around children, what to do if your pet is lost, rehoming your pet, and more.
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.
Free Comprehensive Guides to Dog Care and Training
 Adopting a Rescue Dog, a free, 107 page guide (1.8 MB PDF file) 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
 Before You Get Your Puppy, by Dr. Ian Dunbar, free 104 page guide (2.7 MB PDF file) to preparing for your puppy and basic training especially housetraining.
After You Get Your Puppy, by Dr. Ian Dunbar, free 156 page guide (4.7 MB PDF file) to puppy and dog care and training: including household etiquette, socialisation, bite inhibition, adolescent problems, basic behaviours such as sit, down, come, walking politely on lead, plus games.
You'll need the free Adobe Reader to open these PDF files. You probably already have it, but if you don't you'll need to 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 only, ie: rewarding good behaviour; no check chains, hitting, yelling or other forms of punishment. Why?
The dangerous and damaging risks of choker chains, punishment, bullying, dominating, and alpha dog/pack theory training methods. - and -
Training methods not to use and things you shouldn't do with your dog. (Please watch this very interesting Youtube video).
House Training (Toilet Training)
Dog Rescue Newcastle have produced a 3 page guide How to Housetrain Your Puppy or Dog (PDF). Also watch this video Housetraining Your Dog by Dogmantics
Dog Training Books
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.
 The Power of Positive Dog Training, 2nd edition, by Pat Miller. A perennial bestseller, revised to reflect the latest techniques. More than 75,000 copies of this breakthrough book have been sold, is a highly effective positive dog training method. Walk away from punishment-based training methods and learn how you can reward your dog to obtain the behaviors you could only dream about achieving. Available from Dymocks online and Wag School Books.
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.
If you want to hire a dog trainer for a private consultation, 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 Resources Online
There are lots of free resources on the web. Check out these excellent web sites:
Dogmantics - An amazing site with loads of dog training videos and information including the basics, tricks, and problem solving.
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 Training Explained - More than 50 helpful dog training videos from basic puppy training to more advanced training and problem solving.
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.
StarMark Clicker Expanded Guide is a free, comprehensive 60 page, dog training guide for positive reinforcement training. Nearly every skill/behaviour/trick you might want to teach your dog is in this free guide! They also have a short Quick Start Guide. 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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