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Dog Resource Centre

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Thinking about getting a dog?

Explore all of the things you need to consider before bringing a dog into your life.

Want a Wellness Plan that Works?

Build a personalised routine care plan for your dog that fits your lifestyle and their needs.

Worried something might be wrong?

Find out what those unusual symptoms or behvaviours could mean and what to do next

Dealing with a new diagnosis?

Understand your options for managing common medical and behavioual problems in dogs

Wondering When to say goodbye?

Learn how to recognise when your dog is telling you it's their time and what to expect with euthanasia

Supporting A Good Life for Aotearoa's dogs and their people

Welcome to the AkoVet Dog Resource Centre – your go-to place for practical, evidence-based advice to help you keep your dog happy and healthy across every stage of life.

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Dog Resource Centre

Getting a Dog

Welcoming a dog into your life is exciting—but also a big responsibility. This section will help you think through key decisions like choosing the right breed and age of dog for your lifestyle, understanding average costs and commitments, and planning for daily care needs like exercise, toileting, and time away from home.

1. Practical Considerations

Making sure you’re ready for the time, costs, and lifestyle changes of dog ownership

2. Choosing the Right Dog

Finding the right dog for your lifestyle by considering age, breed, and energy needs

3. Where to Get Your Dog

Knowing what to watch for when getting a dog from rescues, breeders, or online sources

4. Bringing Your Dog Home

Introducing your new dog into your home and creating a consistent care routine

5. Getting Your Dog Registered

Registering with your local council, microchip database, and veterinary clinic

6. Knowing what is normal

Understanding the normal routines and behaviours for dogs

Routine Care

Supporting your dog to live a happy, healthy means caring for all aspects of their wellbeing. This section is all about good nutrition, a safe and comfortable environment, routine health care, and giving them opportunities for choice, control, and positive social interactions. Learn how to take a proactive approach across all five domains of animal welfare to help your dog thrive with a routine that also fits your lifestyle, preferences, and values.

Getting Started

Learn the basics of building a care plan that works for your dog and your daily life

1. Nutrition

Feeding and hydration made simple — what, when, how, and how much food and water to give your dog

2. Housing & Environment

Create a safe and comfortable living space for your dog

3. Health Care

Stay on top of check-ups, vaccinations, parasite control, dental care, and grooming

4. Interactions & Activities

Help your dog thrive with socialisation and training, and their choice of activities

Monitoring Mental State

Recognise signs of fear, anxiety, and happiness to support your dog’s emotional wellbeing

Signs of Illness

Dogs can’t tell us when something’s wrong, so it’s important to know what to look for. This section helps you recognise early warning signs of illness and understand when to seek veterinary advice.
Abnormal Ears
Abnormal Eyes
Bad Breath or Teeth
Coughing or Difficulty Breathing
abnormal-skin
Itchy Skin or Missing Fur
dog-skin-tumour
Lumps or Bumps
vomiting-dog
Vomiting
pooping-dog
Diarrhoea
dog-weight-loss
Weight Loss
dog-peeing
Peeing Everywhere
Limping or Walking Funny
Weakness or Tiredness
Fits or Seizures
Swollen or Large Belly
Anxious or Nervous
Aggressive

Common Conditions

From itchy skin and arthritis to diabetes and allergies, many dogs face common medical and/or behavioural issues at some point. Here, you’ll find practical information on managing these conditions and improving your dog’s quality of life.

Diabetes

Keeping your dog's blood sugar under control

Arthritis

Managing joint pain to keep your dog moving comfortably

Obesity

Helping your dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Allergies

Relieving allergy-related itching and irritation

Incontinence

Preventing your dog from having urinary leaks

Ear Infections

Keeping your dog’s ears clean, healthy, and infection-free

Epilepsy

Managing routine and emergency seizure care for your dog

Heart Failure

Caring for dogs with common heart conditions

Separation Anxiety

Helping your dog stay relaxed when you’re away

Aggression to People

Managing challenges in your dog’s behavior around people

Aggression to Dogs

Supporting calmer interactions with other dogs

Canine Dementia

Helping your dog with age-related mental decline

End of Life

Saying goodbye to your dog is never easy. This section offers compassionate guidance on making your dog comfortable, recognising when it’s time, how the euthanasia process works, and navigating the emotional aspects of loss.

Making Your Dog Comfortable

Tips for keeping your dog calm, pain-free, and supported in their final days—whether at home or with veterinary care.

Knowing When It’s Time

Learn how to recognise signs that your dog’s quality of life is declining and how to make informed, compassionate decisions.

Understanding the Process

What to expect before, during, and after euthanasia so you can prepare and feel more at ease with the process.

Coping With Loss

Support for grieving, memorial ideas, and ways to honour the bond you shared with your dog.

Helping people understand animals and each other

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