Responsible Dog Ownership
It’s that time of year again - time for our 2nd Annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day here at the kennel. While we are very excited to spend a weekend with friends, colleagues and lots of dogs, we are also excited to be able to spread the word about responsible dog ownership.
We started spreading the word last weekend with our float for the Windmill Weekend Parade, where our theme promoted cleaning up after your pet. As we walked, we handed out Mutt Mitts and dog biscuits. Being responsible obviously involves more than just cleaning up after your pet, but this is a part of ownership that is commonly overlooked and is a problem that can have ripple effects on many others. If you own a dog, scoop the poop!
Our fabulous pinwheel logo represents the other six important facets of being a good dog owner:
Veterinary care
Regular bathing and grooming
Exercise
Proper Nutrition
Training
Love and attention
All are important and not one trumps the other. And realistically, the cost does not have to be exorbitant and stretch your budget, stressing you out.
Veterinary care can be expensive, but well worth it if you know what you are paying for. Do your research and ask questions. Be attentive to your pet’s dental health at home and you can save quite a bit of money while adding potential years to your dog’s life. Research pet insurance and see if it makes sense for you. Find a vet that is willing to work with you financially, but remember that they have bills too.
Bathe your dog at home. Run that brush over him often (daily is best, but I’m realistic too!!). Either learn how to give a basic dog cut or invest in regular grooming. If you want to save money don’t avoid the groomer - avoidance leads to a much more expensive grooming session and can potentially cause skin problems for your pet.
Exercise. It’s free to walk down the street with your dog or throw the ball for her in the back yard. And just think - you can save money on your own gym membership if you go for long walks with your furry friend!
Shop around for a good food for your dog. Just today a customer bemoaned the fact that the cheaper the dog food, the more her dog loves it! Not all of us can afford to buy premium dog food, nor do we necessarily need to. Again, ask around. Unless your dog has special dietary requirements, you may be just fine feeding a non-premium food.
Borrow some books and DVDs from the library on training. Ask questions of others. Find inexpensive classes and build on the foundation with practice.
Love. Free and easy to give! How can you not shower your pet with love? No matter how busy life gets, make time for your pet. It benefits both of you!
Being a responsible dog owner doesn’t require a lot of money for many of us; however, it would be foolish to assume that pets don’t have expenses. Be responsible BEFORE taking on a pet and consider the what-ifs. What if I have to move - can I bring my pet? What if my pet needs surgery - can I afford it? What if our schedules are hectic - is it fair to have a pet if I don’t have time to spend with it? The list is long and thought-provoking, but an essential first exercise in being a responsible pet owner.
Tags: AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, dogs, pet ownership, pets