By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2010-04-19 13:48:47 | Word Count: 534
Along with the great rewards and joys of owning a dog, there s also a great responsibility to consider, and certainly one that should not be taken lightly. All animals including the ever loyal canine need and deserve care, attention and love.
Here are the five keys to being a responsible pet owner with happy, healthy dogs:
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1. Consider Adopting a Shelter Dog
A sad reality of life is that there are thousands of dogs, and cats, just sitting and waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and give them a loving home. Shelters are overcrowded, understaffed, and homeless animals abound in alarming numbers all around the world. Consider adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue facility before buying one from a private seller or breeder.
2. Always Spay or Neuter Your Dogs
Doing your part to help control the population of homeless dogs is of the utmost importance. All dogs should be spayed or neutered unless you have real intentions, and the means, to breed them. Spaying and neutering not only helps control the unwanted number of pets who are ultimately euthanized but it also helps to prevent or minimize the risk of certain diseases such as cancer.
3. Dogs Deserve to be Clean
Always provide your dog with clean bedding and keep them brushed and bathed as necessary. Their water and food bowls must also be kept clean and anywhere your dog goes to the bathroom should be kept well maintained so they have a nice, neat place to explore.
4. Dogs Must Be Kept Safe and Protected
Although we often look to our dogs, at least the larger breeds anyway, for protection and reassurance, they, too, need protection and it is our responsibility as pet owners to do so. Much like babies and children, a dog will need to be kept safe from toxins and hazards like chemicals or foods that are harmful to their very different systems.
In addition to making sure your dog doesn t have access to the cleaning supplies or the garbage can you must also consider other matters of safety as well. Microchipping your dog is one way of making sure they can be tracked down if they are ever lost or stolen and always make sure your dog has a collar with clear identification tags. They should also be provided with a safe, enclosed space outdoors to roam and play as well as the appropriate shelter.
5. Remembering Your Dog is an Animal
While we should shower our dogs with the love and affection they deserve and need, keeping in mind that they are animals and not human beings is definitely a part of being a good pet owner. It s rather easy to project human feelings onto our dogs, who often act as if they are in fact people, but we still cannot expect them to understand nor behave as we would. Because of this, all dogs need discipline, boundaries, and a regular routine to be happy members of a household.
A well behaved dog who knows his role in the home, which is not the alpha member of the pack as that part is reserved for you, will become a much beloved member of the family.
Author Resource:-
Article by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/, check out our selection of dog beds and dog collars & leashes online!
