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Complete Guide To Being A Responsible Dog Owner
| Published: 20th November 2019 15:42 |
It’s that time of year when we hear the radio and TV ads about a dog being for life and not just for Christmas, and no truer statement could be made with regard to dog ownership. But it's not just deciding to own or give up a dog that is an important decision. Throughout the animal's entire life you need to be a considerate and diligent pet owner and take full responsibility for all aspects of a dog's welfare and existence. Here we look at all the aspects of how to achieve this.
It Begins With the Choice
The first thing you need to consider is the choice of dog breed. For one, which breed of dog is best suited to you and your family. How much space do you have? If it's a small house or even a flat then it's unlikely a large breed is suitable, so nor Great Dane for you, and a smaller dog will be much more appropriate, something like a Yorkshire Terrier or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. You should also be considerate enough to buy only from reputable and experienced breeders and avoid one of the many horrific puppy farms that exist.
Training is Key and Ongoing
Training a dog is a key aspect of being a responsible dog owner. If you are an inexperienced dog owner then you may need a little help in getting used to effective training methods and you can easily find a puppy training class somewhere near you. But it doesn’t end there and that’s where most people fall down. Like any other lesson, a dog will forget their teaching or at least stop obeying learned commands if they are not allowed to practice their training. You can get plenty of training aids and toys from a good pet supplier such as https://www.vetsend.co.uk/.
Keep the Dog Occupied
A dog like a child, or any other person or sentient animal will get bored when they are not stimulated. Under-stimulation can lead to behavioural issues and acting up from your dog due to unspent energy and an unstimulated mind. So it’s your responsibility to give the dog adequate walk time and to play and interact with them as much as possible.
Clean Up
It’s a horribly anti-social thing to do to let your dog foul in a public place and then neglect to clean it up. For so many reasons. It is a health hazard, especially for children. It is unsightly and gives the local area a bad look. Also, beyond anything else, it is illegal and carries a penalty of up to £1,000.
The Vet
Your dog will need to first visit the vet early on to receive their inoculations and it’s something that needs to be done early on and the dog shouldn’t be let out before these have been done. Apart from any illnesses and injuries, you should take the dog to their yearly checkup to keep on top of the dog's general health and fitness.
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