A dog health check makes up a key part of your dog's health and welfare routines. It includes examining your guide dog’s body closely from nose to tail and noting any changes or concerns. It's an essential aspect of dog care that you can perform at home to help ensure your guide dog stays healthy and happy and can continue working in your partnership.
Taking care of your guide dog's health is crucial for their physical and mental wellbeing as well as your peace of mind. Ensuring your guide dog is healthy and happy is important for them to work at their best in your partnership. Regular check-ups can help you to understand what's 'normal' for your dog, so that you can catch any health issues early, leading to more effective treatment and a speedier recovery. Performing these health checks at home also strengthens the bond between you and your dog and helps you to recognise changes in behaviour or appearance that might indicate something is wrong.
Before you start your dog’s health check be sure to think about the following aspects to ensure a positive and successful experience for your guide dog.
You’ll have been taught how to use cooperative care techniques in order to perform physical checks on your guide dog. The two techniques are the ‘bucket game’ and ‘chin rest’.
Remember – if your dog moves their head away during a physical check, this indicates they’d like a break. Make sure to use plenty of reward and praise, and monitor your dog’s body language closely, to ensure that physical checks are a positive experience for both you and your dog.
You should always start at your dog's eyes and head, often considered the "clean end", and work your way down to their bottom, sometimes referred to as the "dirty end".
During a health check, if you notice anything that doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to contact your vet or Dog Welfare Specialist.
Check your dog's face for symmetry – both sides should be the same, with no drooping. Make sure their head is straight without tilting to one side. Note if your dog is happy with you touching their face, a reluctance to allow you to touch a certain area or a squeak or whimper may indicate a problem.
Check for any discharge, excessive wetness or crusting around your dog’s eyes.
Your dog’s ears should be in their natural position and feel the same temperature as the rest of their body. Ensure there’s no swelling or lumps, and while some earwax is normal, the inside of their ear should be free from discharge, not red, crusty, or foul-smelling.
Your dog’s nose should be free of discharge or excessive crusting. While examining, monitor for signs of flinching, whining, growling, or barking, which could indicate discomfort or pain.
Your dog’s jaw should open and close easily, allowing them to eat without trouble. Excessive drooling or pawing at the mouth indicates that something is wrong.
Finally, gently and carefully check your dog's teeth. They shouldn't be broken or wobbly. Remember, plaque and tartar can build up, so follow advice from your vet or Dog Welfare Specialist to avoid dental disease. Bad breath, a foul-smelling mouth, or a reluctance to eat can be a sign that something could be wrong and needs checking by your vet.
Gently run your hands over your dog's body, ensuring both sides feel the same and are symmetrical. Check that each shoulder is the same size and shape and that your dog’s body temperature feels even over their body with no hot areas.
Applying only slight pressure, your dog's ribs should be easy to feel beneath their coat and you should be able to feel an indent at their waist. Their body mass should be spread equally across their body without any large pockets of fatty tissue sitting in one place. Being able to feel your dog’s ribs and waist is a sign that your dog is at a healthy weight.
Their breathing should be regular and rhythmic, and they should breathe comfortably without any difficulty or wheezing.
Inspect your dog's skin and coat for the following:
Gently feel your dog's legs in turn and then move onto their paws. Lift each leg in the direction it bends naturally to avoid causing discomfort to your dog. Make sure you:
Your dog's tail should be held in a natural relaxed position and move easily. You should feel for any areas of damage, swelling, hair loss or chewing. Be gentle with your dog's tail, it is a highly sensitive area of the body.
Your dog's genitals should generally be clean and without swelling or foul smell.
Check for signs of irritation, itchiness, or any unusual lumps or hardened areas in this region. If your dog is persistently chewing at their bottom, it's a good idea to seek advice from your vet.
Both male and female dogs have nipples, typically arranged in two rows across their chest and abdominal area, totalling around ten. These nipples shouldn’t have any lumps, discharge or swelling.