The NFSA guidance for outdoor dogs

The NFSA’s Dog-Code for children, adults, and keeping dogs outdoors

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (“Mattilsynet”, the Norwegian state body with oversight of plants, animals, fish and food safety) has important guidance for children interacting with dogs and for keeping dogs outdoors. Let’s take a look.

Source: Mattilsynet

Don’t approach a dog that’s tied up alone.

Don’t take the dog’s toys and do not play alone with a strange dog.nd.

Ask the owner if it is all right before greeting the dog. Sit down, call the dog and let it come to you.

Don’t disturb a dog that’s eating or sleeping.

If a dog takes your food or toy, don’t ry to take it back.

Always walk past a dog calmly. If you run ot wave your arms, it may think you want to play. Then it may chase you or try to bite your clothes.

Dogs prefer to be patted on the neck or side, not patted on the head. And don’t bend down over the dog from above – it can make them insecure and scared.

If a dog runs after you, barks, growls or shows its teeth, it’s best to turn away. Stand still and look the other way.

If you run into a loose dog when you’re alone, it might be a good idea to turn away a little and look the other way.

Remember that smaller children should never be alone with a dog.

Guidelines for keeping dogs outdoors

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s advice for housing and handling dogs outside the house.

Kilde: Mattilsynet

GENERAL STANDARDS

The dog’s welfare must be safeguarded if it’s housed outdoors, and dogs must be protected against the risk of unnecessary stress and strain (see Animal Welfare Act § 3).

The owner and others responsible for the dog must have the necessary knowledge of the’ physical and psychological needs of dogs and the relevant means to ensure them.

Dogs should only be kept outside in winter if they are capable of thriving. Dogs should be gradually accustomed to cold conditions, and not kept outside in winter if such adaptation has not taken place.

Dogs kept outdoors must be sufficiently socialized to prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety when dealing with people. Puppies should be socialized through regular, positive contact with people, and socialization should begin before 8 weeks of age.

Dogs kept in a kennel or tied up must have the opportunity for physical exercise (running freely in a larger area and/or in a training context) several times a week, preferably daily.

Dogs should not be tethered for the greater part of the day unless the space is sufficiently large and the dogs are trained/active frequently.

NFSA

OUTDOORS DOGS

The guidance for keeping dogs outdoors from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority regulates how dogs should be housed.

Source: Mattilsynet

Keeping dogs housed outdoors presents can challenge compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (Section 23) on the provision of opportunities for stimulating activities, movement, rest and other natural behaviour. But it’s still common, especially in sled dog environments. Dogs shouldn’t be left tethered for hours on end unless they’re kept in a place of sufficient size, and frequently exercised or allowed to be active.

Dogs should have at least 12 square metres to move around in when chained.

This means that a dog that can move in a full circle around the point to which its tethered with a chain at least 2 meters long.

The dog must be chained so that its activity cannot lead to the chain being shortened, this inuring itself or other dogs. Dogs must not be leashed in choke collars or chain collars. The tying up of several dogs on the same leash is not permitted.

Chained dogs should be let off the chain several times a week for at least 10 hours per week.

It is not acceptable to keep bitches with non-weaned puppies and puppies under six months of age tied up. Dogs should become habituated to being chained gradually.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s guidance for keeping dogs outdoors

Written by Crister Næss

Former Åsnes fixture.Crister lives and breathes for skiing and the outdoors. Usually seen with a pair of prototype Åsnes skis on his feet or with his dog in the mountains of Voss.

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