Dog Care

Dog Care was first offered in 1938 and last revised 2004.
 
 

Requirements | Counselors | Worksheets, Aids & Resources | Earned By | Return to Merit Badge List

Requirements

  1. 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.
  2. Point out on a dog or a sketch at least 10 body parts. Give the correct name of each one.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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".
  6. 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.
  7. Do the following:
    1. Explain the 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.
  8. Visit a veterinary hospital or an animal shelter and give a report about your visit to your counselor.
  9. Know the laws and ordinances involving dogs that are in force in your community.

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

Troop Merit Badge Counselors

The following individuals are merit badge counselors for Dog Care. Their e-mail addresses and phone numbers are in the Troop Directory.

James Dell
Joan Gervat
Bette McGrath
Emily Willen
Mary Ellen Willen

Worksheets, Aids & Resources

The merit badge pamphlet was last revised in 2003.

The following worksheets can be downloaded from MeritBadge.com, and are highly recommended as tools for organizing your work on this merit badge: Worksheet in Acrobat .pdf format or in Microsoft Word .doc format

Scouts Earning Dog Care

Not yet available

Requirements | Counselors | Worksheets, Aids & Resources | Earned By | Return to Merit Badge List

Last Updated: November 10, 2004