Just for kids
Look out for news of our new Animal Kindness Clubs being set up in schools in September. The BSPCA will be visiting Broadhurst Primary and Westwood Primary in the next two weeks, and hopefully other schools thereafter. Speak to your teachers and get them to contact us to start your own Club. Object of the Animal Kindness Clubs is to learn more about domestic animals, how to look after them, come to help and learn at the BSPCA, fund raise and collect items for the BSPCA and be the eyes and ears of the BSPCA in your community and of course have fun with our four-legged friends.
how to care for your pet - FIVE DEGREES OF FREEDOM FOR OUR ANIMALS
Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition.
Freedom to express normal behavioral patterns
Freedom from fear
Freedom from injury and disease
Access to comfort and shelter
How NOT to treat your dog
DON'T expect your new pet to immediately begin guarding your family and premises.
Dogs need time to adjust to their new surroundings. Dogs are territorial and they are pack animals. They will protect their territory and members of their pack. Get your dog used to its new territory by walking around the perimeter several times over several days with your dog. Your pet will begin to learn that your fence line or wall is the boundary of its new territory. Get each person in your family to give the dog some food and to spend time with the dog. Family members may want to groom the dog, pet the dog, or play with the dog. Make sure the dog is comfortable with all family members. They will become part of the dog's pack, and the dog will protect them. Give your dog time to identify his new territory and family, and once he does, he will protect them.
Your dog will learn best if you are patient and consistent. Praise works best with dogs. If your dog barks when a stranger is at the gate, praise your dog immediately. If your dog barks at friends who are welcomed into your home, firmly correct your dog-a strong "NO!" will often do. Dogs that are confident are more likely to bark at strangers and protect their new family. Extremely submissive dogs will cower and try to flee when confronted with danger. Don't make your dog afraid and overly submissive-train your dog with kindness not with cruelty.
A keeping dog on chains, is one of the most frequent problems BSPCA officers investigate. Their case files are filled with examples of dogs chained outside in the heat of summer and in the cold of winter, dogs on miserably short chains, dogs who have hanged themselves, and most often, terribly despondent dogs deprived of social contact and the ability to carry out their instinctual desires. As one would expect, these dogs often become aggressive to the point that they pose a treat to neighbors.Less abusive means of confining dogs-behind fences or in adequate runs-would still is legally acceptable alternative to chaining. Although dogs kept in this manner might still become human cases, the elimination of chained dogs in the city would be a monumental step towards reducing animal suffering
How to care for your dog
DO make sure your dog is sterilized.
All dogs re-homed by the BSPCA are sterilized. Sterilized dogs are less likely to roam and more likely to identify your family as part of its pack, rather than searching the neighborhood for a mate. Your sterilized dog will be more focused on you (as the pack leader) and ready to obey you. If possible keep your dog inside your house at night. That way your dog can more easily warn you of an intruder. Is a dog is outside at night, a thief can poison your dog before the dog has a change to warn you.
Use quality dog food in sufficient quantity, have shelter available, use flea/tick dip, spray, or powder, and have your dog checked by a vet if you have any health concerns.
Well-fed, healthy, and comfortable dogs are better equipped to guard your family and premises than a weak, sickly, hungry dog. Sometimes getting a second dog may help-two dogs are often braver together than one dog on its own, and therefore they are more likely to bark to scare strangers away.