Responsible Dog Ownership
“Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics are ugly, religion is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is unfortunate. What’s one thing that we have in our lives that we can depend on? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally, every day, very faithfully.”
– Jon Katz
With approximately 76,811,305 dogs in the United States currently, It's important for all dog owners to consider many different aspects of responsible dog ownership. To follow are but a few of the things to consider when including a dog in your family.
The Commitment - Before deciding that a dog is right for you, make an honest assessment: are you ready for the financial, emotional, and time commitment that owning a dog requires?
Choosing a Breed - As different as we are as people, dogs are every bit as different. Life spans, special dietary or training needs, long coat vs short, etc. An available resource is the American Kennel Club's Breed Selector Tool to help choose the breed/ mix best for you and your family.
Caring for Dogs - From healthy food and clean water to shelter and Veterinary care including vaccinations and neutering, dogs require care, their entire lives. Training for puppies to special medications for seniors, the care and the love never end.
Social Etiquette - Cleaning up after your dog is but a small part of Social Etiquette. Obeying local leash laws, never leaving a dog in a locked car or tethered outside of a business unattended, and addressing behavioral issues prior to being in social situation are included in a list of social etiquette for dogs/ dog owners.
Knowing Your Dog - Through humane, compassionate and responsible dog ownership... with training and experience and time... we get to know our dog. Knowing our dog is the key to making good decisions for them, whether in social situation, setting boundaries, and even recognizing the end.
For additional information on responsible dog ownership, please visit these sources below:
