SELECT-A-PET
Owning a dog is a big responsibility!
The following questions need to be carefully considered and honestly answered before making the decision to become a dog owner
Have I the time to care properly for a dog?
Your dog will need daily exercise and training as well as grooming, feeding and quality time with you.
Can I afford to feed a dog?
Your dog’s diet must contain all the nutrients required, be it a growing puppy or an adult dog.
Can I afford the registration costs?
Annual dog registration fees with your local council, while not expensive compared with the cost of proper care, should still be taken into consideration.
Can I afford the veterinary costs?
Your dog should have annual vaccinations, regular worm treatments and any other health care treatments, all of which take time and money.
Is my property suitable for keeping a dog?
Properties containing dogs should be fully fenced, preferably with high fences that are strong and fitted with lockable gates. Your dog must have clean bedding and access to proper shelter from the heat and the cold.
Selecting the right dog
How do I choose the right dog?
Ensure that the dog you choose is a good fit with you, your family, and your lifestyle.
To help you choose the right dog for your lifestyle, take a few moments to complete 'Select A Pet'.
What breeds are available?
There are approximately 170 breeds of dog available in South Australia. If you are thinking of purchasing a dog, visit a dog show or an obedience-training club to see different breeds in action. Speak to owners and breeders who know and understand the requirements of various breeds.
For advice and assistance in the choice of a suitable dog, contact the South Australian Canine Association, your local dog club, veterinarian or animal shelter.
Can I adopt a dog?
There are sometimes dogs available from the various animal shelters throughout the state, which need loving homes. These organisations will be only too happy for you to ’adopt‘ your new pet at a very reasonable cost.
When adopting a dog from a shelter, it is important to consider all the issues above and not to adopt a dog simply because it looks cute. Listen to the shelter staff and heed their advice. Remember dog ownership is a long-term commitment.
Come and be part of this online community. Tell the world your dog’s story. Create it’s very own ‘Doggy Profile’ and it could be selected as GoodDogSA’s dog of the month!
Fetch up-to-date Good Dog SA news and events. Don’t miss your opportunity to socialise with good dogs!
Stay in touch with the GoodDogSA.com community. Sign up to receive news and events via regular email bulletins.
- Teach your child to interact appropriately with dogs and not to 'play-fight' or play 'tug-of-war' games with them. Dogs can get overexcited or frightened if there is a lot of noise. So put your dog out of the way when children are playing loud games and running around.
- Teach your dog to sit before you allow visitors to stroke it. Allowing it to jump up on people may frighten or annoy them, and children may feel very intimidated by the dog’s behaviour.
- If you see a dog with its owner,always ask the owner for permission to pat the dog. Allow the dog to sniff the back of your hand first. If it is happy to be patted, it will sniff your hand and move towards you. You can then stroke the dog under its chin.
- Take your dog to puppy pre-school or dog obedience school. It is very important for dogs, in particular puppies, to be socialised with other dogs and people. Remember - if your dog is trained and issued with a training certificate, you will receive a rebate on your dog registration fee.
- Dogs can be scared by sudden disturbances. Scared dogs may bite. Always call the dog first so that you do not surprise it. Do not go near any dog when it is eating its meal or chewing a bone, especially if you do not know the dog. If you approach, the dog may bite to defend its food.
- Why is your dog a Good Dog?
"Pincher is trained and obeys each command, He's never unkind and just licks my hand" Douglas - Why is your dog a Good Dog?
" I have two Good Dogs so I get double the laughs, double the fun & double the love!" Renee - Why is your dog a Good Dog?
" Bonnie doesn’t judge, is always willing to please is more than a pet is a real friend and I love her to bits." Chris - Why is your dog a Good Dog?
" Our Billie is a beautiful, loyal and compassionate staffy. She has so much love to give (even to the cat!)." Michael - Why is your dog a Good Dog?
" She behaves herself in public, is never aggressive and stays near her owner." Zoe - Why is your dog a Good Dog?
" Nikki collects our mail and brings it to our feet and picks up her toys at the end of the day" Amanda
