Dog Care
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
| Dog Care merit badge | ||
| ||
| Status: | Elective | |
| Created: | 1938 | |
| Discontinued: | no | |
| BSA Advancement ID: | 041 | |
| Requirements revision: | 2004 | |
| Latest pamphlet revision: | 2003 | |
Contents |
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Merit badge requirements
- 1. Do the following:
- a. Briefly discuss the historical origin and domestication of the dog.
- b. Describe some common characteristics of the dogs that make up each of the seven major dog groups.
- c. 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:
- a. Explain the importance of house-training, obedience training, and socialization training for your dog.
- b. Explain what "responsible pet ownership" means.
- c. 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:
- a. Discuss the proper vaccination schedule for a dog in your area from puppyhood through adulthood.
- b. Discuss the control methods for preventing fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites (worms) for a dog in your area from puppyhood through adulthood.
- c. Explain the importance of dental care and tooth brushing to your pet's health.
- d. Discuss the benefits of grooming your dog's coat and nails on a regular basis.
- e. 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:
- a. Explain the precautions to take in handling a hurt dog.
- b. Show how to put on an emergency muzzle.
- c. Explain how to treat wounds. Explain first aid for a dog bite.
- d. Show how to put on a simple dressing and bandage the foot, body, or head of your dog.
- e. Explain what to do if a dog is hit by a car.
- f. List the things needed in every dog owner's first-aid kit.
- g. Tell the dangers of home treatment of a serious ailment.
- h. 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.
- 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.
| The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2012 Edition (BSA Supply No. 34765) |
Notes
| A FREE workbook for Dog Care is available here!  with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Dog Care requirements. | meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks. |
Per the BSA: You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Merit badge pamplets are available at your local Scout Shop or online at ScoutStuff.org.
