A good rule of thumb is to imagine how you would feel if you were your pet. For instance, would you like breakfast added to last night's stale supper or your bed being in the noisiest room in the house?

Most of the behavioural and veterinary problems we encounter here at Battersea are due to owners not looking after their pets properly. In this section we give you some guidelines. But the basic needs are simple: to feel secure, pets need to have a daily routine and be loved.

Dogs need to be exercised regularly, usually twice a day, in all weathers. You should carry poo bags with you to clean up after your dog (available from our shop). Please see our 'housetraining your new dog' factsheet for housetraining advice.

Both tinned and dried pet food provide a balanced, nutritious diet but remember to provide extra water with dried food. Water must always be clean and fresh. Human food is not recommended. Human chocolate is poisonous to dogs and can be fatal in large quantities.

Your pet's bed should be in a quiet, draught-free place out of direct sunlight. Vacuuming or laundering the bedding will keep smells, and fleas, at bay.

Both you and your dog will be happier if he is socialised with people and other animals, and is easy to control. Dog training classes allow your dog to meet others in a controlled environment, and enable you to learn correct handling techniques. This will strengthen the bond between you. Socialising from an early age will help prevent behavioural problems. Regular walks provide your dog with a change of scene and the chance to meet other dogs. Remember, your dog needs a social life too. Don't encourage your dog to chase cats or other small animals. Please see our 'Life skills for dogs', 'Play and mental stimulation' and 'Problem behaviour' factsheets for further advice.

Don't wait until your pet becomes ill before registering with a vet. Your pet will need annual vaccinations which is also a good opportunity for a complete health check.

Your pet will have received at least one vaccination whilst at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, unless it arrived with a record of prior vaccinations. It should also be up to date with its worm treatment when it leaves Battersea. However it is important that flea and worm treatments are repeated regularly throughout your pet's life as its health will suffer if parasites are not controlled.

Regular grooming keeps coats clean and healthy, and is essential if you have a long-haired pet.

Neutering not only prevents unwanted litters but can also prevent tumours and other health problems. If you have a male dog, it can also help to curb straying or aggression. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home neuters a high percentage of adult dogs before they go to new homes.

Pet insurance is an important consideration. A relatively small regular payment will guard against unexpected veterinary fees and allow you to provide the best healthcare for your pet. There are a number of pet insurance policies to choose from. All animals from Battersea will have six weeks' free insurance from Pet Plan. Ensure the policy includes third party liability to cover you should your pet cause an accident.

Most owners assume that their pet will never go missing but, as the number of strays we receive every day proves, they are mistaken. The Home receives an average 23 dogs every day. Identification is important for dogs - it is a legal requirement that all dogs wear a collar and identity disc.

Microchipping is a widely recognised method of permanent identification. Your vet can provide this service or you can bring your dog to Battersea to have a microchip fitted. We microchip all Battersea dogs before they go to new homes. Remember to update your details with your microchip provider if you move house or change telephone numbers.

On roads and streets keep your dog on a lead at all times as he could easily be startled by a noise and may run off, and could get hurt or killed by a vehicle. Before letting him off in a safe area for the first time, be confident he will come back when you want him to. Do not let your dog out on his own as he will classed as a stray and could be impounded. Never leave your pet tied up outside a shop alone as he may be mistaken as a lost dog or may even be stolen. Ensure your dog's vaccinations are up to date before allowing him outside.

For more information on identification and loss prevention, take a look at our 'Identify your pet' and 'Safeguard your pet' pages, as well as our 'Why you need a lead and ID' factsheet.

For local information on dog ownership, please take a look at our 'Local Authorities Information'.

When planning a trip away, ensure you make proper arrangements for your pets. You should only consider friends or neighbours to if they can be trusted to care for your pet properly. If necessary, take time to introduce your dog to his carer before you go away. For instance, your friend could join you and your dog on a couple of walks. Explain his daily routine and leave contact numbers for yourself and your vet in case of emergencies. Put a new identity disc on your pet's collar with the contact details of his temporary carer and if your pet is microchipped let the company who manages the database know the temporary carer's contact details.

If you are travelling with your dog, contact your microchip provider and inform them where you will be staying. If your dog was to go missing, you will have peace of mind that if he is found the microchip company will be able to contact you.

If you are considering a boarding kennels, visit beforehand to check it is suitable. Ask lots of questions like, how many daily walks do the dogs get? Word of mouth is the best recommendation. You will need to book up well in advance, especially at peak holiday times, as the best kennels are always fully booked.

Most dogs happily co-exist with children if they have lived with them from an early age. It is important that children are taught to respect animals and are not allowed to treat them as toys. Pets need their own space, so children should not disturb your pet when he is sleeping or eating. Never leave a dog alone with children. Always supervise interactions to ensure children do not tease or overexcite your pet.

You can get your pet a 'passport' under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), without having to go through quarantine. You will need to complete several important steps, such as getting vaccinations, microchipping and getting an official PETS certificate from your vet, so make sure you do everything well in advance.

For full details, please refer to the Defra website under Pet Travel Scheme (please also see our non-endorsement policy)

Giving a home to a rescue animal is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. However, it is important to know and feel that you are ready to take on the commitment of another life - a life that will be totally dependant on you.

To find out more, download our 'What to think about before getting a dog' factsheet.