What Assistance & Working Dogs Can Teach Everyday Pet Owners About Long-Term Health
Through Houndztooth's partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria, Rachael Tricarico has gained insight into the dedication, care and long-term commitment required to support assistance dogs throughout their lives. She believes many of the preventative wellness principles commonly associated with working dogs can also help everyday pet owners support their dogs' long-term wellbeing.
Most people see a working dog and immediately notice its calm temperament, unwavering focus, and extraordinary bond with its handler.
But according to Rachael Tricarico, Natural Animal Nutritionist and owner of Houndztooth, what many people don’t see is the incredible amount of preventative care happening quietly behind the scenes long before these dogs ever begin working.
“Highly trained assistance dogs and working dogs are typically supported through proactive health and wellbeing programs from an early age because prevention is always easier than intervention. The same approach can really help everyday pet owners, too. Small daily wellness habits, from nutrition to gut support and mobility care, can help dogs stay healthier and more comfortable throughout life alongside regular veterinary care,” says Rachael.
It’s a philosophy she believes all dog owners can learn from, particularly as Australian families navigate rising veterinary costs and focus more on supporting their dogs’ long-term health naturally.
“With vet costs rising, many owners are looking for practical ways to support their dog’s overall wellbeing before problems escalate. Preventative care isn’t about replacing veterinary treatment; it’s about supporting healthy daily habits and encouraging owners to pay attention to early changes in their dog’s wellbeing,” says Rachael.
For working dogs, maintaining health and vitality is essential. Their bodies and minds need to perform consistently every day, which means digestion, skin health, mobility, and overall wellness are monitored closely throughout their lives, not just when something goes wrong.
The “Ponk Factor” — Why Gut Health Matters
One of the most common issues Rachael hears about from dog owners isn’t glamorous, but it’s incredibly common.
Flatulence. Or as some owners affectionately call it… “the ponk.”
Digestive health plays a major role in a dog’s overall well-being, supporting everything from nutrient absorption and immune function to skin health and inflammation regulation.
For all canine companions, including highly trained Assistance and Working Dogs to beloved family pets, maintaining digestive balance helps support performance, well-being, and long-term comfort.
Rachael says many owners unintentionally wait until digestive issues become persistent before taking action.
“Sometimes the smallest signs are the body’s early warning system.”
“If owners notice excessive gas, tummy sensitivity, recurring stomach upsets, or paw licking, it's important to monitor those changes closely and seek veterinary advice if symptoms persist,” she explains.
Skin & Coat Health: The Early Warning Sign Owners Often Miss
For working dogs, skin and coat condition is closely monitored because it can reveal a lot about what’s happening internally.
According to Rachael, it’s also one of the earliest areas that everyday dog owners should pay attention to.
“Skin flare-ups are one of the most common reasons dog owners visit the vet.”
“Often, issues like itching, redness, or hot spots begin subtly before escalating. Maintaining skin health proactively through nutrition, hydration, grooming, and gut support may help improve the skin barrier and resilience,” says Rachael.
Hot spots, excessive licking, recurring ear irritation, dry skin, and dull coats are all common issues Australian dog owners face, particularly during seasonal changes.
“Working dogs need to stay comfortable in all environments, so preventative skin care becomes part of their everyday wellness routine. For pet owners, staying proactive may help support comfort and overall skin health throughout the year, while potentially reducing the likelihood of more serious flare-ups that can be stressful for dogs and expensive for families to manage,” says Rachael.
Preventative routines like regular grooming, quality nutrition, hydration, and gut support can all help maintain skin resilience naturally.
Supporting Dogs Before They Slow Down
One of the biggest lessons we can learn from working dog wellness programs is that joint support should begin long before visible stiffness appears.
Working dogs are prepared for long working lives, which means mobility and conditioning are prioritised from an early age.
“Dogs are incredibly good at masking discomfort. By the time many owners notice limping or stiffness, their dog may already have been compensating for quite some time. Supporting mobility early through healthy weight management, movement, and nutrition may help reduce strain on joints as dogs age,” says Rachael.
Maintaining healthy body weight, encouraging regular movement, and supporting the body naturally throughout life can all contribute to long-term mobility and vitality.
“As dogs are living longer, preventative joint support is becoming more important than ever. Simple lifestyle habits introduced earlier in life may help maintain comfort, mobility, and quality of life into the senior years alongside regular veterinary monitoring,” she explains.
Prevention Starts With Small Habits
For Rachael, the biggest takeaway from working dogs preventative care is ultimately about mindset. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, proactive care focuses on supporting the body consistently over time.
“Preventative wellness doesn’t guarantee a dog will never become unwell, but small consistent habits absolutely matter.”
“Looking after gut health, skin resilience, mobility, and overall wellbeing proactively may help dogs thrive long term, while supporting their comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life throughout every stage of ageing,” says Rachael.
Whether it’s improving digestion, supporting skin health, or helping maintain mobility into the senior years, everyday pet owners can learn a great deal from the same principles used to support some of Australia’s hardest-working dogs.
While every dog is different, Rachael believes the proactive approach often associated with assistance and working dogs offers valuable lessons for everyday pet owners. Through Houndztooth's partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria, she has seen first-hand the dedication required to support dogs that perform such an important role in the community, reinforcing the value of investing in canine wellbeing throughout every stage of life.
