Fundamental Dog Info Flashcards
Tip Sheets
Your new dogs essentials
Covers the 4 Basic Needs: Environmental, Nutritional, Maintenance, Behavioural
• Explains why each product is necessary, as well as suggestions and tips for using them
. Can be used as a checklist when helping guests pick out products for their new puppy/dog
What to expect dog tips
Provides tips that cover different topics such as doggy proofing the home, establishing a routine, and how to limit the stimulation in the initial few days
• Explains why dogs do certain behaviours such as chewing
• Provides suggestions for initial training such as coming when called, walking on a leash, and socialization
Canine care
This Tip Sheet is dedicated to common illnesses found in dogs.
Parvovirus
Hypoglycemia
Hot Spots
• Discusses the causes and symptoms so new dog owners know what to look for
• Preventative measures are suggested, but any sign of illness should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian.
• It also includes a section on vaccinations.
Environmental
Kennel
• Dogs are den animals, and they find security and relaxation from a kennel
• Kennels can used for:
• Housebreaking
• Feeling safe
• Traveling
• Recovering from injury or illness
• Preventing destructive behaviours
If it is the correct fit, the dog will have enough room to stand, turn, and lay down. Ifit is too big, they will void in one corner and sleep in the other.
A correct sized kennel will help the dog strengthen their bladder muscles until they can go outside.
Environmental
Kennel
Soft sided
• Easily collapsible for traveling or camping
• Commonly used for airplane travel (under seat)
• Lightweight
• Teething puppies may be able to chew through the material
Environmental
Kennel
Wire
Easily collapsible for storage
• Has multiple doors for easy access in car
• Has a tray that can be removed for easy clean
• Might lose the “den” aspect by the openness of this type
Environmental
Kennel
Plastic
Commonly used for airplane travel (in cargo)
• Provides great amount of privacy
• Easy to clean
• Can be knocked down for easier storage
Environmental
Bed
• Beds offer dogs an alternative to sleeping on the furniture
X
• Some styles indicate the kennel size it would fit, ensuring the correct bed is selected
• Popular features that guests look for are size, colour, machine washable, and shape
Maintenance
Nail Clippers
•Dog’s nails need to be regularly trimmed to prevent the nail from curling over
• Clippers come in 3 styles:
• Guillotine
• Pliers
• Dremel
• Every time nails are being clipped, coagulant should be on hand in case the quick
Is cut.
Maintenance
Shampoo
• A dog only needs a bath when needed, but it is a good idea to always have shampoo on hand - you never know when they will get into a messy situation!
• People shampoos should not be used on dogs because they have a different pH level that can cause skin irritations and dull coats
Maintenance
Brushes
Short Haired: Rubber Brush, Glove
Medium Haired: Slicker Brush, Comb
Long Haired: Slicker Brush, Comb, De-matting Tool
Maintenance
Oral Care
• 80% of dogs show signs of Periodontal disease (infections of the structures around the teeth) by 5 years old
• The best way to prevent this disease is to brush the dog’s teeth with a pet toothbrush
• A water additive is like mouth wash for people, but is safe for the dog to consume. It will ensure the whole mouth receives attention
Maintenance
Bowls
Plastic
• Economic option
• Comes in different colours
• Tend to trap odours
• Water additives for breath should not be used (additive will focus on killing the bacteria in the bowl, not the dog’s mouth)
Ceramic
• Weight makes it harder to tip
• Does not trap odours
• Easy to clean
• Comes in cool patterns/colours
• More easily breakable
Stainless steel
• Rubber lip prevents sliding on the floor
• Easy to clean
• Does not trap odours
Water Fountain
• Encourages dog to drink more
• Circulates the water, eliminating stale, stagnant water
• Some have purifiers that absorb impurities and trap debris
Maintenance
Leash, collar and harness
2 main types of leashes that Petland stores will carry: Lead and Retractable
Lead, 6ft typically, more control over dog
Retractable, 10-20ft, less control over dog
• Harnesses perform a variety of functions for a dog. The traditional harness is awesome for young puppies whose necks are still developing, and a walking halter is an excellent tool for training a dog to not pull
Walking halters are excellent to prevent dog no longe pulling as they gently move their heads downwards, stopping the dog from proceeding.
Collars are great to use when a dog no longer requires training to walk on a leash
Maintenance
House Training
There are many products that can be used to aid in house training:
Pee pads
• Fused with pheromones that encourage the dog to void in that area
• Often used in a play space if the owner is out of the house for extended periods of time
Attractant Spray
• Fused with pheromones that encourage the dog to void in that area
• Spray on areas that the owner wants the dog to void on
Pee Post
• Fused with pheromones that encourage the dog to void in that area
• Wet weather can slowly wash away the pheromones on the post
Maintenance
Stain & Odour Remover
• Stain and odour removers work by destroying the pheromones in a dog’s urine to prevent him from voiding in the same area again.
• Using a non-pet specific cleaner may not necessarily target the pheromones, thus the dog may attempt to mask the underlying smell with a fresh layer.
Nutritional
Food Formats
Kibble Food
• This traditional dog food format is designed to be nutritionally balanced for different life stages, ages, and sizes
• This food has minimal moisture (approximately 6-10%) compared to other food sources
Nutritional
Food Formats
Wet food
• This food has a higher water content than kibble foods, which helps with digestion and lubricates tissue and joints
• Wet food is beneficial, but not essential for dogs because they are generally good drinkers
Nutritional
Food Formats
Raw Food
• Designed to imitate a dog’s natural diet. It contains unaltered proteins, is bio-available, easy to digest, and nutritionally dense
• This food is a dietary hydration source for digestive health with 60-70% moisture
Nutritional
Food Formats
Freeze Dried/Dehydrated Food
• The water in this food has been removed, leaving behind a quality food that is easy to digest
• This food can be supplemented in kibble diets, or offered as the primary diet. If it is the primary diet, water is typically added
Behavioural
Toys
• Dogs need to chew to relieve tension and prevent boredom
• It is the expectation that a dog will destroy his toys, so owners should be patient if their dog goes through toys very quickly
• Dogs often crave different textures and hardness, so variety is key in preventing unwanted chewing
• A good rule of thumb is to offer a soft, medium, and hard toy
Behavioural
Treats
•A variety of treats can be a valuable asset to a dog’s behavioural need as they reward good behaviour!
• This is an essential training tool for all learning situations
• Treats can be broken down into 3 categories:
• Training Treats
• Reward Treats
• Chewing Treats
Behavioural
Repellents
• Repellents can be used for a variety of purposes such as:
• Preventing a dog from chewing on a certain item
• Preventing a dog from frequenting a specific area
• Preventing a dog from barking excessively
Guaranteed Analysis
•The guaranteed analysis provides the minimum and maximum amounts of certain nutrients.
Guaranteed Analysis
Cruds protein (min.)
• Proteins helps with overall health and growth
• Meat based:
• contains 23 essential amino acids
• Plant based:
• dogs can survive on this protein alone, but it can be detrimental to their overall health
• vegetarian diets should only be recommended by a vet
• Common sources:
• bone meal, egg, fresh, meal, by-product
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude fat (min.)
• Fats are an energy source that aid in fertility, cell communication, nerve fibres, nerve transmissions, and aid in palatability
• Omega 3:
• Prevents heart disease, renal disease, and arthritis
• Maintains skin and coat
• Sources: fish, soya oil, flaxseed
• Omega 6:
• Antiinflammatory, balances hormones
• Maintains skin and coat
• Sources: vegetable oil, animal fats, soybean
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude fiber (max.)
• Fiber is a carbohydrate that is the initial source of energy
• Soluble:
• Helps with constipation and diarrhea
• Sources: apples and other fruits
• Insoluble:
• Increases speed of passage (regularity)
• Sources: whole grains
Guaranteed Analysis
Moisture (max.)
• Without enough moisture, dog’s can have bloated stomachs and poor digestion. It can also lead to kidney and liver problems
Protein Sources
The ingredients list is listed by weight. The first 8 make up the majority of the food
Protein Sources
Fresh Chicken:
• “Clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet, and entrails” - AAFCO
Protein Sources
Chicken Meal:
“Chicken which has been ground or otherwise reduced in particle size” - AAFCO
Protein Sources
Chicken by-products:
• “Consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidable in good processing practice” - AAFCO
• by-products includes the organs of the carcass, the parts which wolves eat first because of their high nutrition content
