Around your home
Your dog will need:
- Somewhere to rest – give your dog a comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean and quiet place to rest undisturbed. Living in a cold or wet place can make your dog unwell.
- Toilet area – dogs need to go to the toilet regularly. At least every few hours, make sure your dog has regular opportunities to go to the toilet.
- Safe space – your dog must be able to get away from things that scare them. Give them constant access to a safe hiding place to escape if they feel afraid.
- If you have more than one dog, make sure you provide enough extra resources (for example, toys, beds and hiding places) for each of them to stop them from becoming competitive and fighting.
Hazard-free environment – dogs are naturally inquisitive and can get into dangerous situations if they're left on their own. Make sure that your dog's home is safe, secure and free from hazards.
Keep your dog occupied
- Exercise – give your dog access to an appropriate place where they can exercise at least once a day. This should be somewhere they can explore, play and meet other dogs if appropriate.
Toys – dogs are intelligent and can become bored. Make sure your dog has access to suitable objects to chew and play with. Take a look at our online shop for some great dog toy ideas.
Dog toys
Toys are more than just a bit of fun for your dog. They can help stop them from getting bored and being destructive around your home, such as scratching at furniture or digging up the garden. Having suitable objects for your dog to chew and play with helps keep them stimulated, entertained, happy and healthy.
There's a huge selection of dog toys on the market, but safe, non-toxic dog toys that provide physical exercise, mental stimulation, social interaction and other health advantages are usually best for pets. Here's more on dog toys and why they're so good for your four-legged friend.
- Exercise – dogs need to get enough exercise to keep them physically and mentally well. Toys such as balls that can be thrown and caught are great for keeping dogs active, and also for making exercise fun for both you and your pet.
- Intellectual stimulation – mental stimulation is equally important as physical exercise for keeping your dog happy and healthy.
- Bonding – playtime is a positive way to bond with your pet. Games such as tug-of-war are interactive ways to spend quality time together, and if you have more than one dog, toys can also be great for your pets to bond with each other. However, it's best to make sure you have enough toys for each dog to avoid competition over them.
- Dental health – dental hygiene is extremely important to a dog's health, and with toys that help to clean their teeth during playtime, you're keeping your pet stimulated and healthy.
How to clean dog toys
Hard toys
Start by cleaning dried, hardened debris and dirt from hard toys with a brush. Then wash with warm, soapy water and thoroughly rinse. Make sure that your dog's toys are fully dry before allowing your dog to play with them.
Plush and rope toys
Soft toys can easily house mould and bacteria. To keep them clean, first brush away any dry dirt before sanitising them in the dishwasher, if you have one. Place the toys in the top rack and run the machine on a hot cycle to clean using very hot water and strong water pressure. If you don't have a dishwasher, clean them in your washing machine using a hot cycle. Allow soft toys to air dry afterwards.
Transporting dogs in cars
Under The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, and The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007, you must not transport an animal in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.
It's also important that a dog is suitably restrained in a vehicle so that they don’t distract the driver or injure them if the vehicle stops quickly (UK Highway Code).
There are a number of different ways to restrain your dog both securely and comfortably during transport – travelling crates and containers are popular. When transporting your dog in a crate or container, make sure your dog has enough room to sit and stand up at full height, turn around easily and lie down in a natural position. They should also be able to see out of the container and have enough ventilation and airflow. Place suitable bedding on the floor to prevent the dog from slipping around during the journey.
You could also consider a car harness that secures your dog by linking in with the seat belt system. Make sure you measure your dog correctly and buy a harness of the right size, so they're both comfortable and secure. Always follow the instructions so you fit the harness correctly.
Learn more about travelling with your pet.
Follow the links below to find out more about how to keep your dog happy at home.