SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
What
Is Responsible Dog Ownership?
What
does it mean to be a responsible dog owner? For starters, it means getting a dog for the right reasons.
Dogs are meant to be our companions and to share our lives
with us. The right reasons to get a dog are to help him become
all that he can be. To properly feed and exercise him. To spend
quality time socializing and training him. But there are many
wrong reasons to get a dog. Some of these include as a means
of protection or to be a hobby breeder. When dogs are purchased
as a means of protection, most people think this means keeping
them away from other dogs and people to make them more protective.
By doing this, your dog is not getting the socialization that
he requires and as a result ends up fearful, aggressive, and
destructive. What invariably happens is the dog bites someone
and ends up getting euthanized. Reputable breeders generally
breed their dogs as a profession. They have studied genetic
lines and ensure that their puppies are healthy and of good
temperament. Breeding dogs is often very expensive, and most
hobby breeders are not ready for what they are getting themselves
into. Also, there is already an overpopulation of dogs in this
country. It is best to leave breeding to the professionals.
Responsible
dog ownership begins BEFORE you get your dog. Make sure to properly research which type of dog is right for
you. Make sure to discuss with your family who will be responsible
for caring for your dog. Talk with your veterinarian about
what kinds of costs you must consider throughout your dog’s
life. Make the commitment that your dog will be cared for by
you for the duration of his life. By doing your homework before
you even bring your dog home, you are ensuring that you and
your dog will be a good match, you know what to expect financially,
and that your dog will have a forever home.
Responsible dog ownership means properly
socializing your dog. Young puppies need to be exposed to a variety of other
dogs, people, and sensations to help them learn to not be afraid
of new situations. Puppies also require a lot of time and training.
Responsible dog owners understand that the demands of puppy
hood will be many. Puppies need to be housebroken, a task which
often requires a lot of time and patience. They need to learn
basic commands and manners and you need to learn how to properly
communicate with them.
Responsible dog ownership means taking
your dog to the veterinarian for regular healthy pet checkups. Usually at this time, your
dog will be vaccinated as well. All good owners know that dogs
need to be vaccinated on schedule to help protect them, the
public, and other dogs that they come into contact with. Your
dog will also need to be tested for intestinal parasites periodically.
Responsible owners know that by preventing and treating parasites
they are keeping their dog healthy and protecting their families
as most parasites can be transmitted to humans. Another facet
of good dog ownership is knowing when your dog is ill. It is
your responsibility to keep your dog in optimum health.
When you take
your dog for a walk or to the dog park, pick
up after him when he goes to the bathroom. Not only is this
common courtesy, but fecal matter can be harmful to humans
or other dogs. If you do not have a fenced in yard, always
keep your dog on leash. Not only are there laws in many states
requiring you to do so, this will also ensure that your dog
will not get loose and bite a person or another dog, or dart
in to traffic and get injured or killed.
Spend
as much quality time with your dog as possible. If you
happen to have an employer that allows it, take your dog to
work with you. Go jogging with your dog. Find a sport like
agility, flyball, or sledding that you can do with your dog.
Participate in community events such as dog jogs and dog fests.
All of these things will enhance your relationship and are
a factor in responsible dog ownership.
Common sense, proper socialization, training, and spending
good time with your dog are all a part of responsible dog ownership.
By displaying these traits, you can help others learn about
how to be good dog owners. #
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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