Dog Care

Dog Care
BSA Supply No. 33289

The love and interdependence between humans and dogs has endured for thousands of years. Evidence suggests that dogs and humans started relying on each other thousands of years ago. Today, dogs are our coworkers and companions. They assist search-and-rescue teams, law enforcement officers, hunters, farmers, and people with disabilities. They also play with us and keep us company.

Requirements

Do the following:
1. Briefly discuss the historical origin and domestication of the dog.
2. Describe some common characteristics of the dogs that make up each of the seven major dog groups.
3. Tell some specific characteristics of seven breeds of dogs (one from each major group), OR give a short history of one breed.
Point out on a dog or a sketch at least 10 body parts. Give the correct name of each one.
Do the following:
1. Explain the importance of house-training, obedience training, and socialization training for your dog.
2. Explain what "responsible pet ownership" means.
3. Explain what issues (including temperament) must be considered when deciding on what breed of dog to get as a family pet.
For two months, keep and care for your dog.* Maintain a log of your activities during this period that includes these items: feeding schedule, types of food used, amount fed, exercise periods, training schedule, a weekly body weight record, grooming and bathing schedules, veterinary care, if necessary, and costs. Also include a brief description of the type of housing/shelter arrangements you have for your dog.
Explain the correct way to obedience train a dog and what equipment you would need. Show with your dog any three of these commands: "come," "sit," "down," "heel," "stay," "fetch" or "get it," and "drop it."
Do the following:
1. Discuss the proper vaccination schedule for a dog in your area from puppyhood through adulthood.
2. Discuss the control methods for preventing fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites (worms) for a dog in your area from puppyhood through adulthood.
3. Explain the importance of dental care and tooth brushing to your pet's health.
4. Discuss the benefits of grooming your dog's coat and nails on a regular basis.
5. Discuss with your counselor any seasonal conditions (like hot summers, cold winters, or extreme humidity) where you live that need to be considered for your dog.
Do the following:
1. Explain precautions to take in handling a hurt dog.
2. Show how to put on an emergency muzzle.
3. Explain how to treat wounds. Explain first aid for a dog bite.
4. Show how to put on a simple dressing and bandage the foot, body, or head of your dog.
5. Explain what to do if a dog is hit by a car.
6. List the things needed in every dog owner's first-aid kit.
7. Tell the dangers of home treatment of a serious ailment.
8. Briefly discuss the cause and method of spread, the signs and symptoms and the methods of prevention of rabies, parvovirus, distemper, and heartworms in dogs.
Visit a veterinary hospital or an animal shelter and give a report about your visit to your counselor.
Know the laws and ordinances involving dogs that are in force in your community.

* The activities used to fulfill the requirements for the Dog Care merit badge may not be used to help fulfill requirements for other merit badges.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Animal Science, Bird Study, Fish and Wildlife Management, Horsemanship, Mammal Study, Pets, Reptile and Amphibian Study, and Veterinary Medicine merit badge pamphlets

Books

The American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book 19th Edition Revised. John Wiley, 1997.
Burnford, Sheila. The Incredible Journey. Lareleaf,1996.
Coppinger, Raymond, and Lorna Coppinger. Dogs. Scribner, 2001.
Fogle, Bruce. The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. DK Publishing, 2000.
Hausman, Gerald, and Loretta Hausman. The Mythology of Dogs. St. Martin's, 1998.
Kjelgaard, Jim. Snow Dog. Bantam Skylark, 1983.
London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. Prentice Hall,1995.
Serpell, James, editor. The Domestic Dog. Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Sheldon, Jennifer W. Wild Dogs: The Natural History of the Nondomestic Canidae. Academic Press, 1997.
Terhune, Albert Payson. Best Loved Dog Stories of Albert Payson Terhune. Amerson, 1987.
Thurston, Mary Elizabeth. The Lost History of the Canine Race. Avon, 1997.
Wells, Rosemary. Lassie Come-Home. Henry Holt,1998.
Zink, M. Christine. Dog Health & Nutrition for Dummies. John Wiley, 2001.

Periodicals

AKC Family Dog magazine
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: 212-696-8200
Web site: http://www.akc.org

Dog Fancy magazine
3 Burroughs
Irvine, CA 92618
Telephone: 949-855-8822
Web site: http://www.dogfancy.com

Dog & Kennel magazine
Pet Publishing Inc.
7-L Dundas Circle
Greensboro, NC 27407
Telephone: 336-292-4047
Web site: http://www.dogandkennel.com

Dog World magazine
3 Burroughs
Irvine, CA 92618
Telephone: 949-855-8822
Web site: http://www.dogworldmag.com

Organizations and Web Sites

American Humane Association
63 Inverness Drive East
Englewood, CO 80112
Telephone: 303-792-9900
Web site: http://www.americanhumane.org

The AHA, which was founded in 1877, serves as a network of individuals and organizations who together help "to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children and animals." The AHA oversees "Be Kind to Animals Week" each May.

The American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: 212-696-8200
Web site: http://www.akc.org

Among its responsibilities, the AKC maintains a registry of recognized dog breeds in this country, upholds the rules and regulations of dog events such as dog shows and obedience trials, and promotes interest in the health and welfare of purebred dogs.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128
Telephone: 212-876-7700
Web site: http://www.aspca.org

The ASPCA promotes humane principles and helps "prevent cruelty and alleviate fear, pain, and suffering in animals." Its Web site provides helpful online information such as a general advice column and includes details about dog nutrition and pet shelters.

Dog Breed Information Center
Web site: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com

This site has a questionnaire to help you match a breed of dog with your lifestyle.

Dog Owner's Guide
Web site: http://www.canismajor.com/dog

This Web site contains just about everything you need to know about living with your dog.

Dogpark.com
Web site: http://www.dogpark.com

This site includes pull-down menus and information on dozens of breeds of dogs and a comprehensive national listing of dogparks, where leashless dogs can roam free.

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: 202-452-1100
Web site: http://www.hsus.org

Visit the HSUS Web site for more information about how it makes a difference in the lives of animals in the United States and worldwide.

The Kennel Club
Web site: http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk

The United Kingdom's Kennel Club, founded in 1870, annually oversees the world's largest dog show. Check out its Web site, which contains photos of the many breeds of dogs mentioned in this pamphlet.

Pet of the Day
Web site: http://www.petoftheday.com

This fun Web site gives proud pet owners a chance to share a little about their pets with other pet lovers. You can even nominate your own dog (http://www.dogoftheday.com),cat(http://www.catoftheday.com), or other pet to be dog, cat, or pet of the day.

SPAY/USA
2261 Broadbridge Ave.
Stratford, CT 06614
Telephone: 203-377-1116
Toll-free telephone: 800-248-SPAY
Web site: http://www.spayusa.org

Learn how you can help reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs in this country. Visit the SPAY/USA Web site, which contains helpful information about spaying and neutering programs throughout the country.

"Woof! It's a Dog's Life"
Web site: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ woof/home.html

In this PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) program, dog lover and expert Matthew Margolis tells how to choose the right dog for you, how to train your dog, and how to properly care for your "best friend." The Web site tells more about the program and its host.