September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, so in this week’s blog we will be discussing the steps to becoming a responsible dog owner. There are a lot of things to consider before getting a dog. Adding a dog to the home should not be the result of an impulsive decision, and the but-look-at-his-face excuse doesn’t eliminate all the work you’ll have to put into it. A dog or pet in general is a lifelong relationship (or should be), so pets should be carefully selected to suit your lifestyle and home. The following is a list of guidelines for responsible dog ownership. Since I’m also a veterinarian and for entertainment purposes, I’ve also written a separate list of what NOT to do at a veterinary clinic since this kind of fits the theme, so look for that blog soon. Enjoy! 1. Be Committed! Now, I don’t want you to be committed in the Britney-Spears-2007-Meltdown sense of the word, but it’s important that when you get a dog that you commit to the relationship for the pet’s lifetime. Our dogs love us and rely on us to care for them. They are fully committed to us, so it’s only right that we do the same with them. Of course, there can be extenuating circumstances that may cause people to rehome or even euthanize a dog. However, most of these circumstances can be avoided by carefully selecting a dog for your home and lifestyle, researching breed traits, training, and socialization which will also be discussed in this post. 2. Don’t Go Overboard! Part of being a responsible dog or pet owner is keeping the appropriate number of pets. I know so many people that want to save or even hoard animals, but they don’t have the sense to realize that they can’t possibly provide for that number of animals. Most of these people are good people and have their heart in the right place. It’s important to keep a number of pets in which a safe, hygienic environment can be maintained. Taking care of pets can be quite expensive. Their wellness and preventative health alone can be costly, and that doesn’t include emergencies that can pop up. It’s easy to think that you can save an animal or provide them a better life, but if you can’t maintain a safe environment and afford their healthcare, then you’re really not doing that pet any favors. 3. Provide Proper Identification! Even with our best efforts to keep our pets contained, they can sometimes slip a collar or run off and get lost. Proper identification can be so important to reunite you with your pet. Tags and collars can certainly be helpful, but they can also fall off and get lost. The most reliable form of identification for your dog is a microchip. The microchip is placed under the skin (usually between the shoulder blades). It is a simple office procedure that only causes mild, brief discomfort. If your pet gets lost and taken to a shelter, animal control, or veterinary clinic, they will be scanned for a microchip which can be linked back to you. Another important thing is registering the microchip when it is put in and updating that information each year (especially if you move or change phone numbers). I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had a lost animal brought to my clinic, scanned them and excitedly discover they’re microchipped, only to find that the microchip is unregistered. It only takes a few minutes, and your microchip is often worthless without the registration information. 4. Make the Investment! It’s important to realize that dogs require a significant investment in both time and money. Training and socialization are very important. Dogs also need to be exercised and stimulated daily, which can take some time. However, once you get into a routine, most find exercising and spending time with their dog to be quite fun! And let’s face it, it doesn’t hurt you to go on a walk every evening, either. The other thing to consider is the money investment. Dogs should be immunized once a year and kept on year-round parasite prevention. I’ve also found that dogs can sometimes fall ill, get hit by a car, or suffer a number of unlucky circumstances. Emergency care can also be expensive, so it’s important to have an emergency savings fund for these things so you’re not caught off guard. 5. Follow the law! When it comes to dog or pet ownership, it is also important to adhere to your local leash laws and licensing requirements. Your city administrators can be a great resource to local pet requirements if you’re unsure. 6. No babies! Some may disagree with me, but I (and most veterinarians) believe that part of being a responsible dog owner is controlling their reproduction. Spaying or neutering your dog is the best way to do this. If you want to learn more about the benefits or why you should spay and neuter, follow the link to my spay and neuter blog post below: (Love Is In The Air: Why Spay and Neuter). 7. No Nonsense! As a dog owner, it is important for you to ensure that your dog does not become a nuisance or burden to others. Making sure your dog does not have a negative impact on other people, animals, or the environment is very important. This includes but is not limited to noise control, proper waste disposal, not allowing your pet to roam or become feral, and basic training and socialization. 8. Establish a Relationship with a Veterinarian! This is the most important part of this list (not that I’m biased)! We’ve discussed the importance of vaccination and parasite prevention in this blog. It’s also great to have a relationship established with a veterinarian in the event your dog gets sick. Having a sick pet is already stressful, but having to frantically track down a veterinarian can add to it. 9. Socialize and Train Your Dog! I’ve mentioned this in other sections of this blog, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat it. Having a dog with proper training and socialization is not only important for their well-being but also the well-being of other animals and people. If you don’t feel like you have the resources or expertise to train your dog, there are plenty of classes you can take. Training and socialization will improve their interaction in most of the suggestions I’ve already listed above: their relationship with you, in the event they get lost, out on walks in the neighborhood, and with the veterinarian. If you’re thinking of getting a dog, definitely look over this list again before you do, or even take a look at it after you’ve had your pet for awhile. It’s a good checklist and reminder of what your pet needs to be happy and healthy. So Happy Responsible Dog Ownership Month! Now go out for a walk and celebrate!
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Jessica Stroupe, DVM
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August 2017
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