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SECTION 1: THE NEED FOR A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT
1.1. This section offers guidance on providing your dog with a suitable place to live.
Sleeping and resting areas
Provide a resting area with constant access and where your dog will feel secure
1.2. Dogs need:
- their own bed, with comfortable bedding, to which they can retire and which should be sited in a quiet place;
- their bed to be placed in a dry, draught-free area;
- their bedding to be regularly cleaned, washed or removed and replaced;
- a bed with no sharp corners or splinters as these may cause injury.
Keeping a dog outside
1.3. If your dog is to be kept outside the home there are a number of additional considerations that should be taken into account. These include:
- security;
- adequate comfort and shelter;
- companionship and interaction;
- injury;
- nuisance to neighbours.
1.4. The environment that your dog is kept in should be absolutely secure with good quality fencing to prevent it from escaping or roaming and to prevent the intrusion of other animals, unwelcome visitors, or even theft. You should not keep your dog tethered other than for short periods where this proves necessary.
1.5. When considering the type of fencing, consideration should be given to the size and weight of your dog and its ability to escape by jumping, climbing or digging. Gates should be secured with good quality fixings to ensure that they cannot be accidentally unfastened. Further, there should be no sharp edges on any surface that could cause your dog injury.
1.6. Outside housing should consist of a kennel and run and there should be protection from adverse weather conditions including heat, cold and damp. The kennel should be large enough for your dog to lie comfortably both in and beside its bed and it should be provided with clean comfortable bedding.
1.7. Any area that you provide for your dog should be large enough for it to stretch, walk and turn around and the run should be large enough for it to be able to relieve itself without needing to walk through the soiled area to return to its kennel. All faeces and urine should be removed at least daily and the run should be regularly cleaned.
1.8. Dogs that are kept outside and away from people or other animals, and denied mental stimulation, can suffer emotional problems such as excessive chewing or other unusual behaviours. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that your dog is provided with enough company, exercise or other stimulation to ensure that it remains well balanced and free from stress. You should also regularly visit your dog to ensure that it receives social interaction and to check on its welfare.
1.9. Company may be provided by keeping a second dog. You should, however, give this careful thought before taking such action as some dogs do not like or seek the company of other animals. Keeping another dog is not an alternative to providing regular exercise outside the living area.
1.10 You should also remember that dogs kept outside may react to sights and sounds that they may not normally see or hear inside the home. Your dog may bark, howl or cry for extended periods if it is bored or stressed and this can cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
Exercise
Your dog should receive a suitable amount of exercise
1.11. The amount of exercise your dog needs will vary according to its age and breed. For example, as your dog gets older it may prefer a more sedentary life, or your vet may recommend a restricted exercise regime, where physical exercise may be replaced by toys for mental stimulation.
1.12. If you over exercise a growing puppy, you can damage its developing joints, but obviously puppies need sufficient exercise to provide outlets for their physical and mental energy. If you are in any doubt about what exercise your puppy needs, seek professional advice.
1.13. Your puppy is not fully protected from disease when it is first vaccinated. Always ask your vet when it will be fully protected, and do not exercise it outside your home until then.
1.14. It is important to keep your dog on a lead in a built-up area and when near livestock; not only are there dangers from the traffic, but also from other dogs. Only let it off the lead when you are sure that it is safe and legal to do so. It is also important to train it to return to you when called.
1.15. You should also avoid walking your dog during periods when it is particularly hot. Early morning or in the evening are the best times to walk your pet during periods of hot weather.
Hygiene
1.16. Part of providing a suitable environment is making sure that it is safe, clean and hygienic. It is good hygiene practice to clean up after your dog at home using a plastic bag or 'pooper scooper' and to dispose of any faeces in the waste bin, particularly where there are children around. This not only makes the environment cleaner, but also helps to prevent the potential spread of disease.
Boredom and frustration
Your dog should have plenty of things to stimulate it mentally
1.17. Dogs are social animals with active minds and so they need mental stimulation to be happy. This can be provided by contact with humans or another dog, by providing toys to play with or an environment where a lot is going on. However, this should not be too overwhelming.
1.18. Interacting with your dog by playing games using appropriate toys will provide the best mental stimulation for it. It is not advisable, however, to leave it alone with flimsy toys, especially if it chews very vigorously, as swallowing small parts of them could lead to serious intestinal problems. Toys should be checked regularly to ensure they are not dirty or damaged. Changing them often means that your dog will not become bored with an individual toy.
Household hazards
1.19. Dogs, and especially inquisitive puppies, may eat things that are poisonous to them. Some examples are:
- poisonous plants. Such plants should be avoided or placed where your dog cannot reach them. Make sure that any large plants are in a stable container that cannot be knocked over;
- poisonous chemicals. A dog may drink or eat poisonous substances either by accident or because they find them palatable. Such chemicals should be kept out of reach and any spillages cleaned up immediately. For example, some commonly used slug pellets are poisonous but may be attractive to dogs;
- medicines intended for people or other animals. It is important that your dog is only given medicines that have been specifically prescribed or advised by your vet.
You should always consult your vet if you are concerned that your dog has come into contact with anything that could be harmful.
When travelling
Make sure your dog is transported safely
1.20. Dogs are regularly transported by car or other vehicles.
During transportation:
- when in a vehicle make sure your dog(s) are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, dog cage of adequate size and good ventilation or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars. You should ensure, however, that when securing your dog in a restricted area, it is not constantly subjected to direct sunlight;
- on long journeys you should regularly offer your dog water and where necessary food. Remember to give your dog the opportunity to relieve itself.
Your dog should never be left alone in a vehicle in warm weather
1.21. Dogs should never be left unattended in a car or other vehicle in warm weather. This can be life threatening. The temperature in the vehicle can become very high extremely quickly even when the car windows are left open and cause heat stroke or death. However, when using specifically designed boot gates the car boot can safely be left open allowing full air circulation.
When you are away from home
You must arrange for your dog to be cared for if you are away from home
1.22. You have a responsibility to make sure that your dog is cared for properly if you are unable to take it with you. This may be done by a dog sitter who lives in your home while you are away, somebody licensed to board dogs or by taking your dog to stay with a friend or relative who knows how to look after it.
1.23. When someone else is looking after your dog they are responsible for its welfare and you should ensure that they understand its needs and any special requirements that it may have.
1.24. A dog should not be routinely left on its own for more than a few hours during the day as they are likely to become bored, leading to barking or destructive behaviour. Many animal welfare organisations recommend a maximum of four hours. A possible solution if you are regularly away from home is to employ a responsible dog walker and you should remember that it is an offence to allow your dog to roam. However, the length of time which dogs can be left will depend on the individual dog. Therefore, it is important for you to get to know your dog and when it shows signs of stress.
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