TIPS ON CARING FOR YOUR NEW FRIEND

Pet guru Kate Bendix remembers the day her dog Nikita, a collie/ papillon cross, arrived from K9 Rescue. It was 22 July 2013, the day Prince George was born, and Kate says she was ‘completely clueless’. Now, almost four years later, this is what she’s learned along the way...

THE FIRST FEW DAYS...

Allow your new friend to find their own way around the place. Smell is everything to a dog, so let them sniff out the lay of the land. Give them a place to feel secure, their own bed in a quiet nook. Make sure they know where the outdoor space is, and where to find food and water. Let them eat and drink undisturbed. Your dog may have had to fight for food, so let them work out that you’re not interested in what’s in their bowl. Let them come and find you and your family, don’t smother them.

LEARN BODY LANGUAGE

You can tell a lot about how your dog is feeling from their body language. Illustrator Lili Chin has done some drawings on dogs’ body language. They’re free to download from doggiedrawings. net and make a lot of sense. If the whole family learns what a dog is telling them by how their ears and tails lie (flat and down, scared; sticking up, all’s good) or if they yawn or lick their lips a lot (stressed and anxious) or if they’re all wriggly (overjoyed!), everyone will settle down more quickly.

GETTING KITTED OUT

There’s no point buying things you think your dog will need before they arrive. Just have the basics in: bowls, food and treats, a bed and a blanket, a lead and collar, and a tag with your name and number on it. Anything else your dog needs will become clear later on.

OTHER PETS

The more information you give the rescue centre about other pets in your household, the better suited your new companion will be.

DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS

Don’t overfeed your new charge. Small, regular meals are the order of the day. Depending on how underweight they are, aim to feed 3-4 per cent of their bodyweight per day. Incorporate their treats into this allowance too. Once they’re at the correct weight reduce the amount to 2-3 per cent of bodyweight. As for what food to feed, I’m all about the quality. I prefer very good wet food and home- cooked food. I put Nikita on a few supplements to get her back to health. Dorwest Keepers Mix is packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for the heart, digestion, skin and coat. And I added CSJs Seaweed & Parsley mix to clean her teeth.

A HAPPY ENDING

In the nearly four years since Nikita came into my life we are both much improved. She’s put on some weight and a full fur coat. She doesn’t shy away from strangers and has learned what play is. For my part, I’d be lost without her. She’s my constant companion and I’m fitter for having her. And there’s nothing better when you’ve had a hard day than to be greeted at the door by your dog, who’s always happy to see you.

See k9-rescue.org.uk. Visit Kate’s site myitchydog.co.uk.