According to the American Pet Products Association, there are about 69 million households in the US where there is at least one dog, as of their 2021-2022 survey. That's a lot of canines! January is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, so it's a pretty relevant month for many folks. What exactly does responsible dog ownership look like, though?
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Things to consider before you get a dog
Bringing a pet into your life means bringing in so much joy and loving companionship! But before you do so, it's good to know what to prepare for. According to the American Kennel Club, there are quite a few things people ought to consider before adopting an animal.
Time commitment
- Do you have time to train, care for, engage with, feed, and exercise a dog?
Lifestyle
- Are you home often enough to engage with, walk, and feed a dog regularly?
- Do you travel a lot? What would that look like if you had a pet in your life?
Living situation
- Is your living situation appropriate for the kind of dog you want?
- Do you or anyone you live with have allergies related to pet hair?
- Is there enough space for the kind of dog you want?
- Do you have a fenced-in yard for a dog to run around in and/or space within your home to exercise them?
- Do you have children who would need to learn how to behave around a dog, and vice versa?
- Is there anyone in your home with a mobility-related disability who could be tripped and injured by an energetic dog?
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Financial resources
- It's important to make sure you have the financial resources for things like:
- Vetting/vaccinations (frequency of vet visits depends on age and health conditions)
- Food (a regular cost throughout the dog's life)
- Toys/leash/harness/bags for excrement
- Bedding/kennel/crate/doghouse (for rest and privacy)
- Grooming (brush, dental hygiene supplies, nail trimmers)
- Training (unless you wish to train your dog without the help of a trainer or classes)
- Boarding or a dogsitter (if/when you travel, if you don't or can't travel with your dog)
- Pet license/registration fees (usually required by towns/cities)
- Pet medical issues (you can't predict these, but having a little extra in savings is key in case of emergency)
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Breed considerations
- Different breeds have different:
- Personalities (in a general sense)
- Energy levels and daily exercise needs
- Coat maintenance requirements (how often you brush them, trim their nails, and/or take them to a groomer)
- It's important to consider what general qualities you're looking for in an animal companion before you adopt one!
How you find your future dog
How you find your dog matters too! Depending on what you're looking for, you can adopt a dog from:
And you also need to be aware of how to
avoid puppy mills, especially when looking for animals online (which is why, while an option, it's by far not the most reliable or advised option).
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Once you've gotten a dog
Identification
- Microchipping
according to the AKC, one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime. It's a good idea to microchip your pet, as this makes them much easier to find. If you decide to microchip your pet, consider registering them with AKC Reunite or another a lost pet recovery service. There are many different databases for microchips to choose from.
- Tags
it's also prudent to make sure your pet has a collar with tags featuring proof of their rabies vaccination as well as your current address and phone number so your pet can be returned to you if lost.
- Registering your pet
most towns and cities require pet owners to register their pet, which helps prove that your pet belongs to you, and can also be of use if somebody finds your pet. You can also utilize neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, which has a Pet Directory section.
- If your dog ever does get lost, Petco Love Lost is a great resource for letting people know that you've lost or found a pet. You can upload a photo of the companion animal to their website, mentioning where you found the animal, and whoever lost the pet can look for them that way.
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Training
- If your dog lives indoors, it saves a lot of trouble to housetrain them, so they know to go outside to use the restroom rather than making a mess for you to clean up off the floor.
- These sorts of skills include "Sit", "Stay", and coming when you call their name. These are simple but important commands for your dog to understand and obey, because otherwise this can be a safety risk for them or others. It can also be convenient, if you don't want them scarfing down any food you put on the counter.
- It's also important to make sure you help your dog feel securely attached to you, so if you are going to be leaving them alone for the day, they aren't in emotional distress. Some dogs may also bark excessively when left alone (if they feel unsafe or bothered by your absence), and this can be disruptive to your neighbors.
- One training program for dogs is the Canine Good Citizen program, which is available in-person as well as with videos online. This is a program designed to help owners train their dogs in basic obedience and general responsible dog ownership. There are more advanced versions as well, for folks who want to teach their dogs more skills.
- For the utmost comfort and ease for your dog and yourself, it's a good idea to try socializing your dog with other dogs and other humans! This helps them understand that they can feel safe and secure around others, which can save you a lot of stress when you take them on walks. Dog parks can be really great for this, as well as group obedience classes.
- Other classes to consider
- Search and Rescue training
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Maintenance
- Talking to your vet is the best bet for this, as they can advise based on breed, age, and health conditions what food is best for your dog.
- It's generally not a good idea to feed your dog table scraps, as there are lots of human foods that are toxic to pets, and their dietary needs are different from ours.
- Making sure your canine gets regular exercise is key. How much exercise really depends on the breed. For example, working breeds and younger dogs have a lot of energy. Checking in with your vet is a good idea, and specialized breed forums online can provide some advice too
though always evaluate what you read online with a critical eye.
- Regular walks are always a good idea, and many dogs love playing fetch with a frisbee or a ball. Make sure you know your local leash laws, and that your dog is trained well enough to listen to you and not get overly excited at the sight of another dog or person.
- You can incorporate your canine's exercise routine into your own
some breeds love running, swimming, and/or hiking with their humans!
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- Just like humans, dogs need mental stimulation, too! With excessive boredom, dogs can get apathetic, depressed, and/or stressed. There are a variety of things that can help keep dogs stimulated:
- Smelling a variety of different things
- Socializing with humans and other dogs
including your dog in family activities and scheduling time to go to the dog park can be great ways to do this
- Playing with toys (cycling toys in and out regularly can also help keep your dog interested in play), both by themselves and with others
- Chewing on food enrichment toys
- Exercise (it's good for their physical and mental health!)
- Training and learning new skills (using positive reinforcement)
- Different breeds have different needs, but generally dogs need to be bathed every once in a while and brushed with some regularity.
- You can also brush your dog's teeth to look out for their dental health.
- Some breeds may need to go to the groomer regularly, like Poodles and Bichon Frisés.
- Checking for ticks and fleas
- This depends on where you live, of course, but when you're brushing or grooming your dog you can keep an eye out for these little insects to keep your dog healthy and clean.
- Paying attention to your dog's behavior and habits
- It's good to know your dog's habits and patterns of behavior, because if there's a sudden shift, this can indicate a medical problem.
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Vetting and health
- Annual or semi-annual checkups
this depends on your pet's age, breed, and health conditions.
- Vaccinations
dogs need annual rabies shots, and a general host of vaccinations when they're puppies.
- Spaying/neutering
this is usually done when dogs are younger.
- Pet insurance
this can be useful in terms of unexpected pet health issues.
- Understand your dog's breed's particular health risks so you know what to keep an eye out for
for example, Golden Retrievers are more prone to hip dysplasia.
Emergency preparedness
- Have enough food and water on hand to last you however long you find prudent (for some folks, this looks like a month, for others, 3 months or more) in case of an emergency like a natural disaster.
- Include your canine in your family's emergency/evacuation plan, if you have one in place, and if you practice the plan, make sure to include your dog in the practice as well.
- Dogproof your house before bringing a dog home.
- Make sure trashcan lids are closed.
- Keep cleaning supplies/medications/etc. inaccessible to a curious creature.
- However unlikely it may be, it's good to have a plan for what would happen to your pet if you passed away before they did
discussing this with whomever you would like to look after them is important.
- Consider what you may need when your pet passes on
this could look like time off work, someone to talk to, etc.
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General other considerations
- As your dog ages, their needs will change. They might need a different kind of food, or to go to the vet more often. Their interests might change, and that's all okay! It's part of the beautiful process of animal companionship.
- If you find yourself wanting to adopt a particular breed, but your area has legislation against it, you might consider fighting this legislation.
Conclusion
Bringing a companion animal into your life is no small undertaking! With so many factors to consider, it can seem overwhelming, but it's a process that millions have done before. Animal companionship can be so rewarding, and it is absolutely worth the time and effort if you have the necessary resources.
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