ALL ABOUT DOGS and CATS   Resource Center for Canine & Feline Lovers
ALL ABOUT DOGS
Responsible Ownership starts with making a long-term commitment to love,
care for and protect your pet for his lifetime. Responsible ownership starts
before acquiring your pet.

Responsible ownership means doing research on the breed you've chosen,
and learning about all the little characteristics inherent to that breed.   
Behavioral "quirks" are often what define a breed, and are what draws us to
one breed over another. In choosing one breed over another, looks should
not be the only or primary  consideration. Learn what the dog was intended
to DO.  This is what defines the dog's limitations and interactions with
humans.  

Before becoming a dog parent, it's important to consider your lifestyle. Are
you a person who spends most of your free time at home? If not, then  
depending on how much time you're away from home, you may want to
consider whether a dog is a good choice, at all.  Some people are simply
away from home too much to properly care for a dog.

You should be prepared to spend several hours per day in just BEING with
him. Dogs are very social creatures.  They REQUIRE interaction with humans,
and they need emotional stimulation as well as physical stimulation.  

Responsible ownership means looking after your dog's needs. This includes
health, exercise, diet and loving.

Responsible ownership involves all facets of your dog's life.  Responsible
ownership means providing for emotional and physical well-being and
health, providing necessary sustenance and medical attention  and
providing socialization and training to allow him to be comfortable in public
situations.  

Every irresponsible owner's actions affects how ALL  dogs are viewed by
society.  Every time you see a dog chained in a yard, or pooping on the
sidewalk without his owner waiting to clean up after him, or running loose
down the street, be prepared to take action.   Every responsible dog owner
should always be ready to educate and ready to take action.  If you see a
dog running at large, either call the animal control officer, slip a note under
his collar explaining responsible ownership, or put a leash on him, and take
him home yourself.  When you see "stray poop", pick it up.  Our first
responsibility is to teach others by example. and allowing others to see how
wonderful *responsible* ownership can be, by taking, whenever possible,
our own well-behaved dogs out in public where they can be seen.
What is Responsible Dog Ownership?
From Krista Mifflin, Your Guide to Dogs.

Responsible Dog Ownership means being the best owner/caregiver to your dog that you
can be. Much more than "food, water, and shelter", Responsible Dog Ownership is the
obligation dog owners have to incorporate their dogs into the community, being a good
neighbour, and providing for the needs of their dogs, however varied those needs may be.

Responsible Dog Ownership Means:

• Realizing that a pet is for LIFE, and dedicating yourself to the life of your dog

• Putting the effort into proper care of your puppy (proper veterinary care, vaccinations, de-
worming, proper feeding)

• Learning all you can about proper feeding, making healthy choices

• Investing in proper health care throughout your dog's life

• Training your dog through gentle means to be a good canine citizen

• Training your dog not be a nuisance, and helping him achieve that goal

• Teaching your children to respect animals and not abuse them through play (this is also
Responsible Parenting)

• Obeying the laws set for your protection and the protection of others, even when your dog
"doesn't need a leash". By not obeying the laws, you are only ruining it for everyone else

• Not breeding your dog because he is "so cute"

• Coming to terms with the fact that not everybody likes dogs, and asking yourself, what
can you do to ensure that your dog is likable, even to them?

• Doing your part to help the pet overpopulation problem and keeping your intact dog at
home and away from other intact animals, or neutering him or her to prevent future health
issues

• Teaching other humans how to interact with your dog

• Providing your dog with a family and a home, not just food and shelter. Dogs are very
social, and isolation from the family will result in an unhappy, and ultimately, unhealthy dog

• Holding yourself, as the dog owner, liable for whatever damage your dog does, and
taking steps to rectify it

In a world where dogs are increasingly seen as "evil" and "vicious", Responsible Dog
Ownership is the only thing that will keep Man's Best Friend where he should be: at our
sides.
Responsible Ownership
Dog Fancy

Dog Fancy Magazine is dedicated to
the care and enjoyment of pet dogs.
Each issue features articles about
canine health, nutrition, behavior and
breeding. Each month a specific breed
is featured, and readers are treated
to stories about real-life dogs and
their owners.  
1 year
12 issues
$23.97

Order Now
The Articles of
Responsible Pet
Ownership: What You
Must Know for the
Future

by Charles Paul
Stephens, Gary
Hammonds , Kerry
Niemann

Paperback: 72 pages
Publisher: Outskirts
Press  2006
Brady standing
True Love... (250x250)
Kids, Dogs and Responsibilities  by Kelly Marshall
Caring For Senior Dogs  by Kelly Marshall
Tips For Exercising Your Dog  by Kelly Cheney
How To Tell When Your Dog Is In Heat  by Kimmy Hoffman
Keep Your Dog Warm This Winter   by Susan McCullough
Housetraining Your Puppy  by Jerry Kelley
Dog Park Safety by Susan McCulloch