September: A time to renew your commitment to your furry friend
Although dogs are great companions, it is important to remember that owning a dog is a huge commitment and responsibility. Since September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, Braxton’s would like to share the AKC’s list that every good dog owner should do for his or her canine family members.
According to Hilarie Erb of the AKC, the following are the top ten tips for all responsible dog owners.
- No matter how adorable and smart your dogs are, remember that they are still dogs and are completely dependent on you for for their physical and mental well-being.
- Don’t allow your dogs to adversely affect others. Nuisance barking should be controlled through good management and by providing appropriate outlets. Do not allow your dogs to run loose—for their safety and that of other people and dogs.
- Always pick up after your dogs! Dog waste, in public areas, is unpleasant and unsanitary.
- Provide adequate exercise. Take your dogs for walks and play with them, even if you are tired and just want to crash on the couch. After you give them exercise, you’ll be able to snuggle up with them in a comfy spot.
- Your dogs should have proper identification, such as a microchip, collar with contact information, and/or tattoo). Keep contact information current.
- Your dogs don’t need to be trained to professional standards, but providing basic training will make them more pleasant to have around. A well-behaved dog is a good ambassador. Braxton’s has a list of local trainers.
- Have the whole family read the AKC Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise.
- Get involved in dog sports! There are many AKC companion events in which all dogs are eligible to compete. To find the right one for you and your canine friends, click here.
- Keep your dogs in good health. Give them good food and don’t let them become overweight. If you aren’t sure whether your dogs need to lose weight, here’s how to tell.
- Remember why you got a dog, especially at the times your pet seems inconvenient. Dogs don’t do things out of revenge or anger; they are just being dogs. But it’s because they are dogs that we find them to be so wonderful.
A) Surprisingly, I don’t see any mention of proper, ongoing veterinary care with a well-educated and well-researched veterinarian.
B) Also, no mention of ensuring adequate finances before you make the decision to purchase a pup. Cost is not something that goes away; usually the bills get larger as the pup gets older. Many tend to think pups are disposable and once they get to be a “problem”, they can just either dispose of or flat out stop caring for the pup.
C) Another thing that I think should be mentioned is making sure that you can take your pup with you if you ever have to relocate; again they are not throwaway items. These are living, breathing souls and to have a pup for any time and then decide “I can’t take them with me, I’m moving so I need to get rid of them” is to this poster irresponsible, unacceptable and frankly unforgivable. If you are in a career that has the potential of relocating to a different country, for instance, then don’t get a pup! And if you’re moving within the contiguous United States, there is virtually no reason you can’t do your homework, find a place that accepts dogs and move there and until you find that place, you don’t relocate. It is incumbent upon the pup parent to adequately convey that to their employer. There are ALWAYS pet-friendly homes/Apts.