Responsible Dog Ownership
Responsible dog ownership starts BEFORE you purchase your dog and bring him or her home. You should spend as much time as possible researching the different breeds to find which is most suitable to you and your lifestyle, preferably look at re-homing a Rescue or Shelter dog in need, but if you absolutely must have a puppy (which are sometimes available from Rescue as well!) make sure that you do your research and find an ethical, responsible breeder before deciding on one that will provide you with a healthy, happy puppy, and as much after sales assistance as you require to ensure that the pup that you purchase dosn't end up as a Rescue statistic in the future!
Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
- Prepare for the arrival of your new puppy or dog BEFORE you bring him home ie: make sure you have the food that he is used to eating, a collar, a lead, food and water bowls, appropriate toys and a bed for him to sleep.
- If you don't already have one, obtain the telephone number of a local vet (preferably one with references from another dog owner) and stick it to your fridge permanently.
- Contact your local council to get your dog's licence tags(so he doesn't get destroyed just in case he escapes and is picked up by a ranger) and for details as to Dog laws in your area. The council will also be able to advise you of areas which are suitable for exercising dogs, on and off lead.
- Make sure your dog is wormed regularly (every three months for intestinal worms, as directed for heart worm) and is vaccinated yearly.
- Make sure your dog receives good quality food and that fresh water is always available.
- One of the most responsible things that you can do as a dog owner is take your dog to OBEDIENCE classes. Not only will your dog respond to you better, but you will also be able to socialize your dog with other dogs which is very important, and it may well save your dogs life if he gets loose on a busy street and you are able to call him back.
- Rescue dogs should always be speyed/neutered before re-homing. If you have purchased a puppy, do not be tempted to breed from it. There is no medical or emotional reason that dogs need to breed - there are not enough good homes for all the dogs that need them - don't add to the problem! Spey and neutering can also prevent your pet from developing life threatening health problems, including infections and cancer that affect BOTH sexes.
- Never leave a dog in a car unattended. Dogs can die in less than ten minutes in a hot car.
- If you cannot completely control your dog at all times (even if a cat runs under its nose!!) please keep it on a lead. You may prevent your dog from being hit by a car, mauled by another dog or from being a nuisance to another person.
- If your dog makes a mess in a public place - please clean it up!
- Don't let your dog wander around your neighborhood- it might get hit by a car, picked up by a ranger, mauled in a dog fight or eat poisoned bait, not to mention picking up worms and diseases.
- Be courteous to other people - just because you don't mind Rover jumping and slobbering all over you, does not mean that other people will appreciate the same treatment, so train him to be polite!
- Ensure that you have a secure, well fenced yard for your dog with adequate shelter from the elements. Regularly check the fencing and repair any damaged areas that may allow your dog to escape or injure itself - also check behind shrubbery along the fence line in case your dog is digging under the fence.
- As well as the Council tags, your dog should have identification tags with contact information to allow for quick return if he/she gets lost. The information tags should have at least ONE telephone number, but preferably two - yours and either a friend, relative or vet in case your dog is injured) and your address. If your dog requires medical treatment, this can be inscribed on the tag if there is enough space and is likely to ensure your dog is returned to you quickly. Microchipping is one of the best ways to identify lost dogs. Your vet can insert a tiny microchip is inserted under the skin and can be scanned by vets and rangers to locate the owners. When you change address or phone number, remember to update the Microchip registry, and when you take you dog for anual check-ups, ask them to quickly scan the microchip to make sure that it hasn't migrated from the original position between the shoulder blades.
- Include your dog in your will. By this, I mean you need to make provisions for the welfare and continued care of your dog in case anything happens to you. Another good idea, particularly if you live alone, is to keep a message in your wallet/purse (with your own ID) advising that you have a dog at home that needs to be cared for in case you are involved in an accident. If alternative care is unavailable for your pet, the RSPCA or other rescue organization will be able to help.
- If you know that your dog is aggressive or unfriendly to people or other dogs do something about it. Keep your dog on a lead when you take it for a walk, warn other people before they get too close and seek professional training advice. In many cases, dog aggression problems can be avoided by proper socialization during the puppy stage, and by resolving the problem by correct re-training before it becomes a major issue. THis is your responsibility as a dog owner! Aggressive dogs are difficult to re-home and most Rescue services are unable to accept them because they are a legal and ethical liability. Most rescue and foster groups are made up of dog loving individuals who are not trained or equipped to handle aggressive dogs - this means that if you allow your dog to become aggressive, the only solutions are for you to work with a professional trainer/canine behaviourist to resolve and manage the problem yourself or have the dog euthenased. Please seek help before it gets that that point.
(Copyright: Michelle Wrighton, 1997)
Reprinted with permission from Dogsites.com.au