08/06/2025
Protecting your New Guinea Singing Dog - A comprehensive guide! Please share
Protecting Your New Guinea Singing Dog: A Comprehensive Guide
New Guinea Singing Dogs (NGSD) are unique and enchanting creatures that thrive with the right care and environment. Safeguarding them involves attention to their physical, emotional, and environmental needs. Here’s how you can provide the best protection for your NGSD:
1. Enclosure Requirements:
- Secure Fencing: Ensure your NGSD's outdoor space is enclosed within a strong, tall fence (at least 6 feet high). NGSDs are agile climbers, so consider adding a secure overhang.
- Dig-Proof Boundary: Fortify the base of the enclosure by burying fencing or using concrete footers to prevent digging escapes.
- Enrichment Elements: Provide toys, climbing structures, and obstacles to keep their environment stimulating and engaging.
- Gate latches on the inside used diligently. Even with them you can't stop an escape if the gate doesn't latch securely and blows open.
- Stay away from tie-outs, and always set up barriers for doors.
- Close the garage before going in the back door.
- Use puppy gates to prevent access to the front door.
2. Harness, Collar and Leash:
- Proper Harness Fit: Choose an escape-proof harness that fits snugly but comfortably. A harness is preferable to a collar to avoid strain on your NGSD’s neck.
- Durable Clips and Leash Hooks: Invest in a leash with strong, secure clips that won’t accidentally open. Consider a double-ended leash or a safety clip between the leash to the harness and from the harness to their collar for added security.
- Consider a good GPS collar with good durability, long battery life, and speedy location updates.
- A collar with a tag that isn't attached to a leash and two collars/leashes. I use a harness lead as it tightens and prevents backing and pulling. A backup is a slip leash or martindale.
- Another option for GPS if you have iPhones is an air tag on the collar. No charging required.
3. Supervision:
- Never Leave Your Singer Alone Unattended: Always supervise your NGSD when outdoors. Their curiosity and intelligence can lead to unexpected escapes if they feel bored or unstimulated. Practice #2 even when your Singer is outside in a tie out cable and stake.
- Keep and eye on guests or anyone opening doors. They are fast and can escape.
4. Socialization and Training:
- Positive Reinforcement: Use reward-based training to build a trusting relationship, enhance obedience, and prevent any behavioral issues.
- Social Interaction: Regular interaction with people and other animals can keep your NGSD well-adjusted and reduce anxiety.
- Engage them with puzzle toys, interactive play, and training sessions to keep their minds sharp and prevent boredom.
- Train a recall.
- Train them to not door rush.
By providing a safe and enriching environment, continuous supervision, and affection, you can ensure that your New Guinea Singing Dog is protected, happy, and safe.
Reach out if you have any questions. Comment below or email us at [email protected].
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