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Original poster

Our new dog ..... advice from experienced owners please.!

50 replies

oxocube · 09/09/2004 12:19

We got our new dog from a rescue centre last Saturday. He is a blond lab cross - don't know what he's crossed with but he has a look of greyhound about him. I've just realised how little we actually know about dogs as we've always had cats! Can anyone recommend any good books which discuss dog psychology as well as the more practical aspects of caring for a dog?

Also, what do you feed your dogs? The science mixes seem very expensive, although our dog does seem to prefer them to the Pedigree Chum food which is half the price! Does it make a huge difference to their health?

OP posts:
Titania · 09/09/2004 12:24

i have a great book called the doglopaedia!! basically, the sort of food that is best is one that is made with meat, not meat flavour......a lot of the cheaper ones a very cereal based and can 'clog' the dog up. So we always used to say at the vets where i worked, get the best you can afford. Also a good dog behaviour/psych book is called 'Ain't misbehavin' cant remeber who its by now though.....will go dib it out and have a look for you

Original poster
oxocube · 09/09/2004 12:33

So these Hills Science diets and similar really are better for the dog then? Also, can you give dogs scraps and leftovers as well as their normal food? We have always fed our cats leftovers from our dinner as well as Whiskas and they have all been extraordinarily healthy. They basically eat anything including pasta, salad and vegetables!

OP posts:
smellymelly · 09/09/2004 12:39

Sorry to be so honest - but how did you get a rescue dog, when you do not know how to look after one?

Titania · 09/09/2004 12:39

we used to give ours scraps. however it can lead to behaviour problems otherwise so i was told, as they come to expect it as soon as your meal is over. the science diets are ok if necessary ie if the dog has medical problems they can help. I would say a good quality meat based complete food it fine. I steer clear of iams and eukanuba as well.

and no bones.....!!!

Titania · 09/09/2004 12:45

aint misbehavin and doglopaedia bother very good books.

suedonim · 09/09/2004 13:22

We give our dog suitable scraps - dogs are blooming scavengers anyway! - but it doesn't cause a problem with begging because we don't feed her immediately after our meal. Her food is put to one side and even when it's put on the floor she isn't allowed to eat it until we give her a signal. We reduce the amount of dog food we give her according to how many scraps she has, in order to keep her at a suitable weight (She's a Cavalier King Charles which are prone to fatness). Ime what you feed a dog doesn't make much if any difference to their health. Our last dog lived until she was 12 and this one is 10yo and like a puppy.

Original poster
oxocube · 09/09/2004 13:27

Smellymelly, we know basic stuff and are responsible pet owners having had our cats for 13 years. We asked lots of questions at the rescue and of other dog owners before we decided to get a dog and were well aware of the comittment and time needed. But I think its a bit like having your first baby - you can read up all you like and get as much information, but so much of it is conflicting anyway - but until the baby (or in this case, dog) is there, you realise how much more you have to learn.
I have no doubts at all re our ability to give a dog a happy home, but its a learning experience for me as well, as the last dog I had was when I was 4 years old!

OP posts:
throckenholt · 09/09/2004 13:34

we feed ours a dry mix - buy it in sacks of 20kg - get the ones for working dogs and there is no vat. If he is a pet then try not to get the most rich ones. Ask at a pet shop what they recommend. Tinned food is expensive and often not enough roughage for them.

miggy · 09/09/2004 13:36

Re book-there is a very good book by Gwen Bailey-specifically about rescue dogs-very practical
RE food-premium quality foods eg hills/eukanuba etc are fixed formula (ie same ingredients in every bag) and use only good quality ingredients and have right balance of vitamins/minerals and low levels of salt.
Cheaper foods-recipe depends on what is available in terms of offal /fishmeal etc, the flavour on the tin bears no relationship to whats in the tin. too much salt as cheap way to enhance palatability, not enough vitamins/minerals (which is why if you like at the feeding recomendations on the tin, they seem ludicruosly high-because that is how much you would have to feed to get the right amount vitamins etc.
In practice Im sure your dog would do fine with either. Would feed less and dog would do less poohs with better quality food.
A good cheap food that lots of dogs do very well on is tinned or dry chappie.
Scraps are fine as long as they dont induce diarrhea and if you are feeding a poorer quality food would enhance the vitamin intake.
HTH

Original poster
oxocube · 09/09/2004 13:42

Thanks all. I have an appointment with our vet tomorrow to introduce our dog and will also ask her advice re food. After Miggy's comments, I think we'll go for the better quality food such as Hills

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Branster · 09/09/2004 21:26

This is fantastic oxocube! the kids must be pleased!

I'd reccomend you do not feed your dog any food you can find in the supermarkets (Pedigree etc). They contain all sorts of things and apart from behiovaral problem I'm sure it affects their long term health. Only buy the food from an idependent pet supplier, they're always honest. Expect to pay around £30 odd pounds for a big bag of dry food. i personally think dry food is perfect because it's good for their teeth and they can drink the water sepparately anyway.
It's OK to mix scarps with their food but reduce the quantity of his normal food accordingly.
Do not give the dog things like: chocolate, raisins, milk, poatoes, peas (i can't remember what else). Bread is perfect, cereal products are good, meat and fish, rice, pasta, liver, carrots, dairy products but no milk as a drink as it can upset the stomach.
No bones to chew on apart from the ones coming from beef. I regularly give my dog a big bone as such from the butchers. I boil it first. Or very dry bread is good for keeping teeth clean as a treat really.
No snacks AT ALL.
There's a lot really but can't rememebr it all at the moment. Will post in a few days if i remember anymore.

Branster · 09/09/2004 21:29

and i found the reccomended intake of food on labels is far too high. but you'll find a balance yourself.

Original poster
oxocube · 09/09/2004 21:45

Thanks Branster! And yes, the kids are thrilled

OP posts:
Tickle · 09/09/2004 22:18

Hi oxo - hope you're having fun with the new family member . Dh is a vet and we have a rescue (read: neurotic!) lurcher & a whippet (got her as a friend to old lurcher when ds was born). They are both fabulous with the children, although now that we have 3 children (5,3 and 5 mths) the poor dogs come some way down the priority list.

Anyway, I'm rambling... all good advice so far on thread, and I know Dh would agree that a consistent dry food like Hills makes his job a lot easier: good teeth, digestion etc - and if they are ill you can change easily to one of the special diets.

Also, poop scooping is SO much more bearable from a good dry food! Remember that you need to worm your dog v regularly to keep the garden parasite free, and maybe do as we do - train him/her not to poop in the garden. They wait for their morning run and go again in the evening (not sure if they have unusually regular rhythms!!)

Another book: The Dog's Mind by Bruce Fogle (vet who contributes to Radio2) - your library should be able to get hold of it - it's been around for ages.

Good luck

Tickle · 09/09/2004 22:26

Oh, almost forgot... Branster's totally right about recommended amounts - if there is labrador in the mix you shouldn't have any problems getting fido to put on weight!
Staying slim is SO much healthier than being overweight
Note to self - stick this post on front of fridge...

bobs · 09/09/2004 23:15

We've always had labs. One of them came from a Cruft Winner's kennels and although the lady had to publicly endorse P. Chum, she used said most of the dried dog foods were fine - she used Omega!
I buy P Chum dried from the supermarket when on offer. The food for working dogs can make them hyper if not exercised loads

BettyFord · 09/09/2004 23:37

Watch out for dried foods, even the so called good ones contain a lot of oxidised oils which are carcinogenic - they buy the stuff from factories where it has been used already for cooking.

We feed our dog meat and veg! Cheapo mince and whatever veg we have left over plus whatever is going cheap in the supermarket = cook it up every couple of days and store in teh fridge. It's much better for them.

Second Gwen Bailey books she is excellent.

earlygirl · 09/09/2004 23:55

dont feed scraps its so annoying when they sit at table /high chair andbeg or take food from childrens hands(my dogs have no manners)
get them a bed and make them sleep in it too

Tiggiwinkle · 10/09/2004 00:12

The K.I.S.S.Guide to Living with a Dog (by Bruce Fogle and published by Dorling Kindersley)is a very comprehensive book and is very "readable" as well.We do feed scraps to our two dogs-in their bowls and mixed with their dried food. They eat it more eagerly than if we just feed them the boring old dog food on its own-our German Shepherd is very fussy and turns her nose up at even the expensive stuff on its own!

Original poster
oxocube · 10/09/2004 14:50

Thanks again everyone . We went to visit the vet today who confirmed that Skunk (the dog) is in perfect health but needs to put on some weight. He is 23 kgs and she recommended putting on between 3 and 5. The vet also agreed with most of you who said the science diets (Hills etc) were better so we have decided to go with Eukanuba as it seems to be on special offer the most at our nearest pet shop!

We had a lovely morning as the kids are off school today because of a teacher training day: the weather was beautiful and we took Skunk to the woods and heathland where he played with loads of other dogs and ran for miles. The vet also recommended using a crate in a few weeks time, to slowly try to overcome the separation problems Skunk has when left alone. Interestingly, she said it would be better not to have Skunk castrated as this would only worsen his submissive behaviour and could lead to further problems. She is the third animal expert we have spoken to with this opinion: before we started looking for a dog, I automatically assumed that as with cats, it was much more responsible to have an animal neutered if you don't intend to breed from it. Is this (not neutering dogs unless necessary to curb agressiveness) also a common opinion in U.K? We are in Holland.

OP posts:
Titania · 10/09/2004 14:52

the crate is a good idea.....

have you looked into eukanuba? terrible company

Titania · 10/09/2004 14:54

some info on iams/eukanuba company

smellymelly · 10/09/2004 14:58

Sorry Oxocube, you have obviously not taken this on lightly, (hence this thread). It was only that you put in your first message that you wanted advice on the practical aspects of caring for a dog, that made me think.

But I'm now skulking away with my tail between my legs!!

Original poster
oxocube · 10/09/2004 15:00

Oh God, have just bought a huge bag of the stuff. Have read your link and its really horrifying

OP posts:
Titania · 10/09/2004 15:00

more on iams/eukanuba