A List Of The Most Important Tips For Being A Responsible Dog Owner

 

This guide provides a list of what might be some of the most important tips and reminders for being a responsible dog owner.

We’ve covered a range of considerations from pre-buying, to owning a puppy, to exercising and stimulation, and more.

Let’s take a look.

 

(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)

 

Most Important Tips For Being A Responsible Dog Owner

We’ve listed tips for being a responsible owners across different areas below.

Note that this is not a full list, but just a starters list, and there might be other responsibilities you have to be aware of when owning a dog.

We’ve written another guide on the most common problems a dog owner might face, which might be a good compliment to this guide.

 

General

What we see is that there are considerations, planning, commitment and investment (time and money) that goes into owning a dog across:

The pre-buying and research stage

The buying from a breeder stage

The puppy stage

The adolescent stage

The adult stage

The senior stage

And, if the pet has to be re-homed for a genuine and unavoidable reason – this stage too

 

Owning a dog should be a lifelong commitment (for the length of the dog’s life), and should not under any circumstances be an impulse purchase, or a purchase made without serious consideration that it will benefit and be desirable both the owner and the dog.

 

Before Buying

Make sure you can make a lifelong commitment to owning a dog before you buy – consider things such as cost, job security, starting a family, suitable accommodation, free time, and so on

Do your research on whether your lifestyle is compatible with the dog you want

Do your research on reputable and responsible dog breeders before buying a dog

Do your research on dog breed

Make sure to get some type of guarantee, paperwork and any relevant documentation from breeders about information on the dog, and responsibilities of the owner and the breeder in the event there is any issues

Do some research on dogs in general, their nature and drives, and understand they are animals and don’t behave like humans

 

When Buying

Make sure you are ready for your dog’s first night home

Make sure you take your dog to get registered, and microchipped if required

Make sure you have the essential dog supplies ready – collar, leash, waste bags, etc. You may also want to get a custom/personalized dog collar name tag

 

Health

Get the mandatory puppy health check ups, vaccinations, and so on

Get spaying and/or neutering if required

Take a dog for regularly vet check ups during their lifetime

Consider whether pet insurance is a good option 

Be aware of what might be some genetic health conditions common to certain breeds

Be aware of the most common health conditions that all dogs might experience in their lifetime 

Pay attention to your dog’s body, body language and mood and pick on when they might be sick, in pain or needing help in some way

 

Cost & Finances

Have the financial means to care for a dog. Just some of the costs might involve buying from a breeder, vet bills, registration, supplies like collars and leashes, food, training, grooming, insurance, toys, and so on

 

Training, Obedience & Socialization

Do proper potty training, house training, crating training (if required), and chewing/destruction training when you first bring your puppy home

Take your puppy to puppy school

Take your adolescent dog to basic obedience training, and make sure your socialize them with other dogs and humans, and expose them to a range of external stimuli to get them comfortable with everything

Through the first few years of a dog’s life, make sure you observe and assess their behavior around other dogs, friends, family, strangers and visitors to the house. Identify areas where the dog may be a hazard to others, and do something to minimize or eliminate that risk (training, or consulting an animal expert)

Make sure a dog is trained specifically in common problem areas like being OK with having food and bones taken away from or awarded to them, and not being overly territorial or aggressive to strangers and people visiting the home

If a particular behavioral problem like barking or being destructive is creating significant issues, make sure you consult a professional animal trainer to address them

Enforce healthy and positive obedience, behavioral and other boundaries and standards on your dog throughout their lifetime

Be aware of the most common behavioral problems with dogs, and get specific advice from trainers on how to address them

 

Behavior, & Body Language

Learn to read a dog’s body language for any signs of distress, fear, anxiety, aggression, and so on

Never approach a dog without letting them see, smell and inspect you first, and never approach them face first (do not put your face near their face if you don’t want to risk potential facial injuries), or in a way that makes them feel threatened, smothered, and so on.  

Never let a dog around strangers, or especially young children without being supervised and without guiding people on safe behavior around the dog

Always alert people who may be coming into contact with the dog if there are any risks in interacting with the dog, and keep the dog away from others, put a muzzle on the dog, or put in place other safety measures if there is some type of other risk

 

Daily Routine & Commitments

Feed your dog healthy/nutritious food, and remember to feed them the correct amount of times per day (ask a vet if you are unsure about either)

Re-fill your dog’s water bowl regularly when it’s running low, and you check the water is clean

Exercise your dog each day for the allotted amount of time – go for walks as one example

Regularly interact with and spend quality time with your dog

 

Walking & Going Outdoors

When walking your dog, make sure the collar and leash are in a good condition, and be careful of traffic, other people and other pets, potentially dangerous substances that your dog might eat, drink or come into contact with, and any potential things that could harm your dog or that your dog might harm

 

Swimming

Teach your dog the basics of swimming or floating above water (in case they ever fall in a pool for example)

 

Your Yard & Home

Make sure your yard is dog proof and safe – seal off any potential ways they could escape, restrict them from areas where they could hurt themselves (such as sheds with toxic chemicals, the swimming pool where they could drown, and so on)

 

Car & Vehicle Travel

When in the car, make sure your dog is securely fastened and safe within the car

 

Laws & Regulations

Follow any laws and regulations in regards to owning a dog in your area – having a dog on a leash in public, register your dog and microchip it, etc.

 

Re-Homing

There may be some situations where it’s completely unavoidable or out of the dog owner’s control that they have to give up their dog. Having family and friends as backup to take over ownership is the first option. The second option is to find a responsible and loving owner who wants to take over ownership – you might want to contact the breeder for options, or you may want see if there are reputable re-homing programs in your area

 

 

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The information is based on either our own thorough research, and/or own experiences, as a means of free speech.

By consuming this information, you accept that TheDailyShep.com do not have client or patient relationship with you, and TheDailyShep.com are not advising you to act on anything you read.

You should always consult your own veterinarian, animal expert, or health care professional and follow their advice before making decisions on all matters.

 

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