Dog health checks at home

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.

A guide dog performs a chin rest on a towel.

Why are dog health checks important?

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.

It’s important to remember that while health checks can be done at home if you do notice any changes in your guide dog’s health, or have any concerns, you should always contact your vet and make your Dog Welfare Specialist aware via Guide Line.

Preparing to give your dog a health check

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.

Find a suitable location: Choose a calm, quiet location, preferably on a non-slip surface. Yoga mats, or non-slip rugs, are helpful if you're checking your dog on a tiled or slippery floor.
Encourage positive association: Dogs learn through positive association. Offer rewards during and after health checks so your dog learns to enjoy them. Rewards can be food, praise, or stroking – whatever your dog enjoys most!
Take it slowly: Introduce health checks gradually. Focus on checking different body parts, starting with areas they're used to being touched and stopping if your dog seems agitated or uncomfortable. If you notice your dog seems uncomfortable with you handling them during a health check, this could be in the form of them pulling away, contact your Guide Dog Mobility Specialist for support.
Be consistent: Always try to perform health checks in the same order, starting at the eyes and ending at their bottom. Performing checks in the same order will help your dog know what to expect during their health check, whether at home or with their vet, and is also more hygienic and reduces the risk of infection.

A dog owner gently checks their dog's teeth.

How to perform a health check at home

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.

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:

Cuts and grazes: Check your dog for small injuries or broken skin, like cuts or grazes. These should be cleaned and may require medical attention.

Abnormalities: Examine for lumps, spots, or any patches of hair loss. Check for signs of itchiness, redness, or thickening of the skin beneath their fur.

Matted fur and moist areas: Clumps of fur or moist areas on the skin could be a sign of poor grooming or another issue, you should visit your vet to understand the cause.

Dry skin and dandruff: Check your dog’s skin for dryness and their coat for dandruff. These could be signs of poor nutrition so you should speak to your vet, and Dog Welfare Specialist, if you notice either of these.
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:

Check for any areas that feel swollen or warmer than the rest

Examine for matted fur or any foreign objects stuck in their paw pads, or between their toes like grass seeds or splinters

Feel their legs and paw pads for any signs of grazing or cuts

Check their nails for any damage or overgrowth
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.

Learn about safely exercising your guide dog

Get in touch

Call our Guide Line to speak to an expert who can provide information and advice - we're here to help. We're open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

information@guidedogs.org.uk

0800 781 1444

Dog health checks at home

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Why are dog health checks important?

Preparing to give your dog a health check

How to perform a health check at home

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