Image via Wikipedia

his weekend we’ve been in attendance at one of our kennel club’s semi-annual dog shows. On the agenda along with seeing all the beautiful dogs being exhibited is discussion about Responsible Dog Owner Day which is scheduled for September. The AKC is on this promotion of RDO and is encouraging clubs to participate by setting up events in the community to encourage the public awareness of what constitutes being a responsible dog owner.

Dog ownership has evolved from it’s misty beginnings when the caveman tamed a wild dog to be his companion. As our society has evolved, so have the responsibilities that surround owning a dog. And they are not simply responsibilities to the dog, but responsibilities to your community and to your family.

Being a responsible dog owner starts with making choices

You’ve made the choice to get a dog. Making this choice responsibly means that you should have done some homework from the beginning by being aware of the costs involved in owning a dog. Costs that involve not only money, but time! These days of urban sprawl and inner city congestion mean that you can’t just have a dog that roams free. There are too many dangers for both the dog and you as owner of the animal to face! Dogs are social animals and if left to themselves, live in packs with many members. So if you’re going to own a dog, you’ve got to schedule time to spend with the dog or face the consequences of a bored animal. Fortunately, since dogs are fairly diverse in their characteristics, it can be easy to find a breed that will fit your current  life-style.

Making a poor choice costs you and the dog.

Animal shelters are full of dogs who were the victims of poor choices on the part of their previous owners. Animal shelters have become like one of those inflatable boats to save people from their poor choices. But having an animal shelter in your community costs YOU. Your taxes go to pay for the shelter, care for the animals there and salaries for the people manning it.

Making a poor choice of dog means that you are both unhappy. Life becomes more complicated, you have additional worries about the behavior problems your dog has developed and your poor choice may ultimately cost the dog his life.

Making good choices start with self-examination.

How much room is there for a dog in your life? Not just physical room although that’s a factor, too, but TIME. You will need time to train your dog whether you get a puppy or an adult. You will need time to interact with the dog as in play, exercise and maybe even competition.

How much is in your budget for a dog? Besides the initial price of the dog whether it’s a pure breed from a breeder or a mixed breed from the shelter, there’s maintenance, health care and training. If you’re struggling to feed yourself, you don’t need the added burden of another mouth. Still want to interact with a dog but don’t feel you can afford one? Head off to your local shelter and volunteer to groom, walk or train the dogs there.

Responsible dog ownership starts with responsible breeders

There has been a lot in the news about puppy mills and backyard breeders and how terrible they are. The most terrible thing about them (aside from the deplorable conditions the dogs live in) is that these breeders do not support their puppy buyers.  A responsible breeder takes an interest in YOU and follows up with you about the development of the dog. They help you overcome problems and are there as a source of information to help you make better choices about health care and training. They can provide insight on inherited traits of the dogs and can introduce you to other people with that same breed for social interaction.

Responsible dog ownership ends with you

While I may have painted a pretty grim picture of being a responsible dog owner, it’s not all pain and hardship. Owning a dog is a wonderful experience. They enrich our lives and fill a place in our souls. That’s what makes it all the more important to be a responsible dog owner. Dogs give 100% of themselves to their owner. They are never too busy, never judge you and forgive you every time you hurt them. They should not be disposable. There was a bumper sticker that the AKC created quite a few years ago that embodies dog ownership. It stated “Dogs are for life, not just for Christmas”.

I know many of my readers are not from the US, but you still have many of these same issues no matter what country you live in. What ways do you have of promoting responsible dog ownership?

ê¿ê

Tags: AKC, American Kennel Club, Animal shelter, Dog, Health care, Kids and Teens, Pet, Recreation

• Digg
• Stumble it!
• Reddit

• Cloned Dog Makes News
• What's In Google Trends Today?
• Diabetes Studies