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Monday, February 20, 2006
FEATURE So you want to adopt a puppy? Marchelle Hermanus Tue, 14 Feb 2006 Max and Mona — yes, they were named after the movie — were found, flea-ridden and half-starved, in a dumpster at the back of a school field. Kate bought them both from the SPCA when they were roughly eight weeks old — she didn't have the heart to split them up. She really had no idea how big they would get. Now, as they approach their first birthday, Max and Mona are already bigger than the Labrador next door. "It's lucky I live opposite a park," she said. "Or else I don't know what I would do." Kate also works from home, so she's had plenty of time to spend with her dogs. It's time that's ensured that Max and Mona have grown up loving and devoted pets — brilliant for her, because she lives alone. "They follow me everywhere and they're very protective," she said. "I've never known such loyalty before!" Why adopt? "The problem that we have is that people adopt pets as watchdogs or for breeding purposes," says Cher Poznanovich, fundraising manager for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. "We make sure that animals are going to the right homes for the right reasons." Many owners adopt because, at R300 per adoption, it's cheaper than buying a puppy from a breeder. If you adopt from the SPCA, you also get sterilisation, vaccinations, deworming and a microchip put in for free — normally this would cost about R1000. Despite common preconceptions, the low price does not mean that you’re getting "less" of a dog. Bringing up a rescued dog can be just as rewarding, if not more so, then raising a pedigree animal – if you train it and feed it correctly. As to what type of dog to go for, the possibilities are endless. "I think it’s a personal choice," says Cher. "Obviously each dog has a specific behaviour." She says she bought a mutt – a cross between a terrier and a poodle – and it's the perfect family pet. But adopting a pet means rescuing an unwanted animal that has either been abused or neglected, which could mean that the dog comes with social "issues". Animal behaviourist Christopher Brookin says the problem lies in potential owners not "reading" the dog when they first see it. He says that when choosing a dog it's important to look at it very carefully, spending time with the animal and taking note of how he behaves, before you commit yourself to taking it home. "You mustn’t choose the one that’s barking the most – if a dog’s barking, that means that he’ll ignore you when you call him," he says. "But if he’s barking the least, he’s scared or frightened." He believes that a family dog tends to be a middle-of-the-road kind that doesn’t bark too much and reacts to you if you call him. However, he also adds that if he’s hiding at the back of the kennel, he’s probably scared and will run away… or he could bite. Christopher says that a good indication of a sound dog is that he allows himself to be handled: "If he doesn't let you pick him up for any reason, leave him," he says. But this shouldn't deter you from adopting – rescue dogs are just as easy to train as pedigrees, Christopher says, who refuses to support the myth that adopted dogs are a handful when it comes to training. The interview process The SPCA has just implemented a new adoption policy, which Cher says has come under some criticism lately. "People feel that we are being too strict with the policy," says Cher. "But we’ve done an analysis of dogs that get adopted and then returned – it’s a big problem that we have." A deposit of R100 is payable on application. Afterwards an SPCA inspector will contact you to make an appointment to do the pre-placing check-up at your home. During the check the inspector will make sure that the property is fully enclosed, the size of your property and the state of the dog’s sleeping quarters. If you want to pass the test, do a mental check before the planned visit. Ask yourself whether the dog will have access to water, food and shelter. Also, go through your home beforehand and take note of possible problem areas that could be dangerous for puppies, then raise them with the inspector. What to have ready Making sure that your pooch gets food and water isn’t enough. He needs to get his fair share of exercise as well. By making sure that you have ample space for him to run around, he can keep himself occupied while you’re at work — and toys are important too. "A bored dog is going to start ripping up the garden", says Cher. "He needs to have toys as well." She recommends the Kong – a toy for animals to play with which keeps them occupied for hours on end. Pig's hooves and raw hide — which you can get cheaply from most vets — are brilliant for teething puppies (much better than your shoes!). For feeding, Dr Paul Bernhardi from the Blue Cross Veterinary Clinic in Cape Town says that you needn't be too picky. "Basically it just depends on what you can afford," he says. "I prefer the pellets, although there are some good balanced tin foods on the market." It’s never a good thing to feed Fido scraps from the dinner table, even though you think it may be a treat for him – it encourages begging and has been known to cause some breeds to go off their dog food in favour of your own. Feeding a dog chocolate is a no-no – one of the ingredients found in real chocolate could lead to a your dog suffering heart attack. When it comes to a sleeping place, Dr Bernhardi recommends a good kennel made either from plastic or wood for an outside dog, and a woven basket for your pooch if he’s going to be indoors. The first few nights When you bring your dog home, it's important to set boundaries from the start. Christopher recommends letting Fido sleep outside or in the kitchen on the first night – not in your bedroom — making sure that you leave a door open so that he can go do his business outside. If your puppy messes inside, take him to the mess and make sure he sees it, while you tell him a firm "No!". Never strike a puppy. Abused or neglected dogs should get the same treatment. "Don't treat him like a victim," says Christopher, "otherwise he'll live up to that label — just treat him like you would a normal dog." And the ongoing whimpering and crying? Christopher says that most dogs are comfortable in the kitchen, so it's best to keep him there for the first few nights, and soon he’ll stop crying. If your darling adopted dog is a fleabag (and many are), Dr Bernhardi recommends that you fumigate your house and treat your dog with flee sprays (available from your vet) every few months. Dipping is also an option, but you should send Fido for weekly dippings, and at R40 a treatment, this method could prove costly in the long run.Puppy socialization Socialising your puppy is very important – you can either book your pup into a formal class (your vet should have information on your closest trainer) or just make sure you take him to a park to play with other dogs regularly. Avoid long, strenuous walks until the puppy is at least eight months old. All dogs are pack animals and they need to have the time to be together for their social development and to burn off steam – outings are also a time when you can really start to enjoy your dog. Sterilization Sterilization is very important, especially with female dogs. It's recommended you do it between the ages of six to eight months, or as soon as they come on heat. Depending on the size of your dog, sterilization could cost up to R800, but if you adopt from the SPCA, the procedure is part of your once-off fee. In the case of males, sterilization is only recommended for overly aggressive males, or dogs that wander or who are sexually aggressive. If you've read all this and are still keen to adopt a puppy, chances are you are in for a big reward in the long run. "I would never think of getting a pedigree after having Max and Mona," says Kate. "Besides the fact that I have no more space, it's mainly because they're so much more loyal than any dog I've had." "It's like they know I rescued them and they're waiting to return the favour." [Posted by: Davina at 2:19 pm] Thursday, February 09, 2006 Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans: 1. Blaming your farts on me... not funny... not funny at all !!! 2. Yelling at me for barking.. I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG, YOU IDIOT! 3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway? 4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose... stop it! 5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home. 6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain. 7. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back! 8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your\nguests. Sorry, but I haven\'t quite mastered that handshake thing yet. 9. Dog sweaters. Hello ???, Haven't you noticed the fur? 10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth, you're just jealous. Now lay off me on some of these thing's, We both know who's boss here!!! You don't see me picking up your poop do you ???" [Posted by: Davina at 12:18 pm] |
 Every animal deserves love, protection and our voice.
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