Dogs are wonderful companions, and any dog owner will attest to the happiness they bring. They’re called man’s best friend for a reason, after all.
But these dependable companions, while able to keep you entertained and comforted for hours on end, also have their own needs, and entirely rely on you for their care.
This is why it’s not only worthwhile to ask if a particular dog is right for you, but if you’re right for the dog. In this post, we’ll discuss how to become the right kind of dog owner, and exactly what it is that defines such an approach:
Good Nutrition & Healthcare
Providing a healthy environment and balanced diet for your dog is a crucial part of being a responsible dog owner. Note that sometimes, this “healthy environment” means putting up fences around your garden so they can’t escape out of curiosity, and other dogs can’t run in. You don’t have to curate a utopia, but investing time and effort into their comfort and health helps.
This includes giving them plenty of fresh water to drink, ensuring they receive plenty of exercise and playtime, and making sure they eat well-balanced, healthy meals. It also means ensuring comforts, like a good dog bed, or making sure they sleep in a warm room of the house. It's also crucial that you take your dog in for checkups at the vet on a regular basis and get them the appropriate vaccines to ensure their health and the health of other dogs in the area.
We love our dogs, but they’re not exactly the most hygienic of pets unless you help them stay clean.
Your Pooch & His/Her Social Development
Providing training and socialization for your dog is another crucial part of dog ownership.
This includes socialization with a variety of people, animals, and situations, as well as the teaching of basic commands and good manners, to ensure they do not develop a fear of or aggression toward humans or other animals.
Effective trainers will help you with this. We’d even suggest a service like that isn’t optional, but an essential element of good ownership. A well-trained and socialized dog is a joy for everyone in the household and the neighborhood. They don’t have to perform every trick known for man, but a healthy respect for boundaries, a familiarity with other dogs, and seeing you as the authority helps.
Being Accountable For Your Dog
Becoming a responsible dog owner includes prioritizing the health and safety of your pet and people who might interact with it on any day. This includes giving your dog a safe and clean place to reside and keeping it on a leash at all times when in public. It also means being realistic about the needs of others, for instance, having a place to keep your dogs to prevent them from barking at or jumping at temporary guests can be a good idea.
This also involves being alert to and cautious against any risks that could lead to harm. Just because you’re a great owner, it doesn’t mean others will be. In some cases, optional alternatives can be worth your time too, for instance, if you’re going on vacation then putting them up with the best dog boarding service can help you avoid leaving them home for hours on end, as even if they’re being regularly checked in on and fed by a neighbor each day, this is cruel.
With this advice, you’re sure to be the right kind of dog owner.
