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FEEDING YOUR DOG
What you feed your dog is also important to research in light of the discovery of melamine in dog
food from China and similar scandals. Susan Thixston runs a site (www.truthaboutpetfood.com) dedicated
to informing the public about recalls and major changes in the pet food industry. You could call her an
industry watchdog! The thinking these days in dog food is to stay away from corn, wheat, soy and byproducts,
but no matter what you end up feeding your pet, make an effort to know where the food comes from,
what’s in it and how it will affect your dog. Start at www.dogfoodanalysis.com and www.dogfoodadvisor.
com and ask that forum you’ve joined what people are feeding their dogs and why. Part of researching food
is fi nding out what your new dog’s ideal weight is and how much to feed him. Make sure you have a good
handle on what plants and human foods are toxic to dogs too (www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html).
BASIC EQUIPMENT
Your dog will need some basic equipment, including food and water dishes; a leash and collar;
grooming equipment, including nail clippers, ear cleaner, a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste, a brush, and
6 AUGUST 2010 | eu jacksonville monthly
photo by anna rabhan
soap-free dog shampoo; poop bags; toys; a crate; and a car safety restraint. You could go all out for these
things, but try your luck at yard sales or on Craigslist, especially for the more expensive items such as the
crate.
FENCING & DOG PARKS
If possible, fence your yard. If you have a fence, make sure it is in good repair and can contain your
dog. If a fence is not feasible, look into dog parks. There are free community dog parks, which you can
locate on municipal parks websites such as www.jacksonvillebeach.org/index.aspx?nid=92 or on sites
like www.dogparkusa.com. There are also a few private dog parks in the area that offer memberships like
Dog Wood Park and Julington Creek Animal Walk (www.jcaw.com/walk/home.html). Dog Wood’s manager,
Cheryl Dunakin, says that when looking for a membership dog park, “You’d want to bring your dog to a dog
park that has basic rules and regulations, and it’s nice when it’s staffed. Not all dogs are suited to go to the
dog park for whatever reason – some may not be social with other dogs and some may not be social with
people. That’s one of the advantages of going to a private park or one that’s monitored – the staff can kind
of weed those dogs out. It just makes it a safer environment and more enjoyable for both the people and
pets.”
DOGPROOFING
In preparation for your dog’s homecoming, don’t forget to dogproof the house. Anything that can be
chewed, swallowed or broken should be moved. Even if you get down on all fours to do this, you will have
missed something, so keep a close eye on your pooch as he explores and remove things from his reach
that he shouldn’t have. Before your new dog comes home is a good time to get in the habit of closing toilet
seats, securing trash cans and not leaving food or utensils toward the front of counter tops. Many problems
and dangers can be avoided by properly utilizing a crate. Baby gates are another tool to keep yourself and
your dog safe. Meal preparation time, for example, can be dangerous for a human. Dogs are sure to come
running when the fridge opens, and approximately 80,000 people a year are injured in falls having something
to do with their pets. Your dog is at risk too. Falling knives, dishes on the edges of countertops that
can easily be pulled off and hot stove burners are just some of the dangers of the kitchen. Simply blocking
access to the area while you are preparing meals is a safety measure you can take for both you and your
pet. Baby gates are also something that you may fi nd at yard sales or consignment stores.
GET EXCITED!
Finally, involve the whole family in the preparations for your dog’s homecoming. Just like with a child,
all caregivers need to agree on how a dog’s discipline will be approached. Children need to be taught how
to play with a dog and how not to. Jane Hawley says, “Supervision is always paramount with a dog and
a child.” Aside from accidents resulting from the dog’s behavior, such as jumping, she says, “The type of
play that children like to do is running. A dog will chase a child that runs and likely could hurt the child.
Children have a tendency to pull things out of the dog’s mouth …” This is why she recommends training
any children in the dog’s life, as well as training the dog. Knowledge can empower your child to seek a
good relationship with the dog by teaching the child how to care for and train a dog and how to be a responsible
pet owner.
THE BIG DAY
photo by daniel goncalves
Do not plan to bring your new dog home on a day that will be otherwise busy for your family. This
is not a day to run your new friend home, stick her in a room and leave for the rest of the day. If possible,
plan to have no plans for a signifi cant stretch of time, which will allow your new dog to adjust to you, your
family, the home, and her new environment and routine while being left in gradually increasing increments
of time. This may mean that you spend your vacation time at home this year, but it will be worth it when
you end up with a well-adjusted companion for the next 16 years. Take all the necessary payment and paperwork
with you to pick up your new friend. Also remember to bring a leash and collar, the vehicle safety
device you will be using, a soft blanket or towel if your passenger will be holding a puppy newly separated
from its siblings, a water bowl and extra water if it will be a long trip, and, of course, poop bags.