Fun Facts

• Wolves are the distant ancestors of domestic dogs.
• Dogs have 18 different muscles that move each ear.
• Dogs can hear sounds four times farther away than people.
• For a long time, dogs were thought to be color-blind, or not able to see in color. New research shows that dogs might be able to see some colors.

Breeds
Domestic dogs have been companions to people for more than 15,000 years.  During that time many different shapes and sizes of dogs have been bred for different jobs.  PAWS or your local shelter has a wide variety of breeds available for adoption. If you are thinking of bringing a Companion animal into your family, read Who is the Best Pet for You?

Lifespan
In general, small dogs live longer than large dogs.  Small dogs such as Terriers may live 20 years.  Giant dogs like Great Danes may only live seven or eight years.  The average lifespan for a mixed breed dog is 13 to 14 years. By making sure dogs have good food, regular veterinary care, a loving family and shelter, they will live longer, healthier lives.

Idenitification
A dog can't ask for help back home if he gets out of the house alone or is lost. That is why it's so important for dogs to wear identification.  A dog should wear a safe collar with 3 tags: a city pet license tag, a rabies vaccination tag and a personal tag.  The personal tag should have at least your family's name and phone numbers on it.

Spay & Neuter
Spay and neuter are the names of simple surgeries that prevent dogs from having babies. Spay is the surgery for girls and neuter is the surgery for boys. Dogs are put under anesthesia so they don't feel any pain, just like people are during surgery.

Having your dog spayed or neutered provides many benefits. It reduces the risk of some types of infection and cancer.  It helps reduce companion animal overpopulation. It also helps with Behavior issues.  Animals who have been spayed or neutered are also less likely to bite people.

Food
Just like you, dogs need good food to grow and stay healthy. Dogs need a variety of vegetables and protein in their diet.  High quality dog foods can be found at pet supply stores.  Adult dogs can be fed once or twice each day.  Puppies need to be fed more often.

Do not give the following foods to dogs:

• Grapes and raisins: Even small amounts can cause very serious health problems in dogs.
• Chocolate and cocoa: These treats are tasty to humans, but poisonous to dogs.
• Table scraps, especially cooked bones from human meals: If a dog chews cooked bones they can splinter and get stuck in his throat or stomach.

Water
Dogs always need to have access to clean fresh water.

Shelter
Dogs are very social animals and need to come inside with their people.  A soft bed where your dog can rest will make her feel comfortable.  If you have a yard where your dog spends time, make sure there are no spots in the fence where she can escape.  Having an escape proof fence is much better than tying a dog for long periods on a chain or other rope. Some people leave dogs on chains most of the day, but this can cause other problems.

Play & Exercise
One of the most important things you can do for your dog is walk and play with her everyday.  Even if you have a yard, simply putting your dog out there does not mean he will get exercise. It's up to you to make sure he gets the exercise he needs. Walking your dog on a leash or taking him to a dog park gives him a new adventure outside of the yard and also helps him to get used to lots of different sights, sounds and noises.

Always remember to play gently and not scare the dog.  Dogs usually feel safer if all four paws are on the ground.  If you have a small dog who likes to be carried, remember to support her whole body, especially her back legs.  When you are done holding her, gently place all four paws back on the ground.  Don't try to pick up large dogs.  Be calm and gentle when playing with a dog, even your own. Dogs like to chase and use their teeth when they place with other dogs and might try to do the same with you.

Toys help dogs stay busy and prevent them from chewing on shoes or other household stuff.  Playing with toys is also good exercise. Pet supply stores have lots of Cruelty-free toys (like those that don't use feathers, or fur from other animals) to choose from.  It's important to make sure the toy is sturdy and not too small, so the dog doesn't choke on the toy. 

Grooming & Cleaning
Dogs could use a good bath about once a month, but you can do it more often if you dog gets really dirty. Have an adult help you and use a mild shampoo. Brushing your dog will also help him look his best, will reduce extra hair left around the house, and keep your long-haired dog from getting painful knots in his fur.   Your dog also needs help keeping his nails trimmed and teeth clean.  

Health
Dogs should get a check-up from their Veterinarian at least one time per year.  If your dog is acting unusual or you think he may have eaten something dangerous, have your parent or guardian call the veterinarian right away.

If you know a dog who is being treated badly or hurt, he needs your help.  Visit the Report Animal Abuse page to learn how to help him.

Household Hazards
Many common things found in your house can be very dangerous to dogs.  For example, household cleaners, slug bait and antifreeze are all poisonous to dogs.  Dogs can choke or get an upset stomach from chewing on, or eating these things: decorations, string, electric cords, plastic, rocks and sticks. Candle flames can also make dogs very curious, but can burn their fur and whiskers

Behavior
Understanding your dog will make her a happier, more fun companion.  You can learn about dog behavior by quietly observing dogs and reading about them.  If your family lives in Western Washington and needs help with your dog's behavior, PAWS' Behavior helpline may be able to help.

Training
Training helps dogs and people communicate with each other.  Play groups and socializing classes are good for puppies to learn how to be around different dogs, people, and situations.  It's never too early to start training your puppy, but most training classes are for puppies and dogs four months and older. PAWS offers a whole range of different classes in the summer. You can read about them on our Training Classes page on the PAWS main website.  

When you bring a new dog or puppy into your home, it's also a good idea to train him or her to be in a crate or kennel. This helps them become house trained much quicker and keeps puppies from getting into mischief. Puppies and dogs have limits to how long they should spend in a crate. It's different depending on the age of the dog. Read more about crate training before trying to put your dog or puppy in a crate.

Want to know more?
More information about responsible companion animal care can be found on the PAWS main website.