Creating Awareness On Responsible Dog Ownership Month (September)

What is a Responsible Dog Owner? 

The month of September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month! Even though we all prefer to think of ourselves as conscientious pet owners, we all make mistakes. Responsible dog ownership means attending to your dog’s fundamental dietary, medical, physical, and psychological needs to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. 

It also entails keeping an eye on your dog’s actions in public areas so that you and your dog may contribute positively to your neighborhood.

How to be a Responsible Pet Owner

The following are some of the responsibilities of a dog owner;

Stay Up To Date On Vaccinations

One of the most crucial aspects of responsible dog upbringing is, without a doubt, this. Vaccinations protect your dog from various environmental diseases, typically fatal to dogs. 

The needed immunizations for dogs can differ from state to state and even county to county, so check with your veterinarian to ensure your dog is up to date. You can also discuss a titer test with your veterinarian to determine whether your dog needs vaccinations.

Dog-Proof Your House

It’s crucial to ensure that your dog can’t get into anything that could potentially damage them, just like with children. This involves locking up, keeping all cleaners and chemicals out of reach, and closing the garbage can.

Depending on the type of curious dog, some dogs may be less likely to look for certain items than others, but it never hurts to be cautious, just in case. A typically lazy dog only needs to become curious enough to examine and consume anything to require medical attention.

Workout

Exercise is crucial even if your dog isn’t particularly active. Exercise helps to maintain your dog’s physical and mental health, whether it takes the form of walks, playtime, or both. Who wouldn’t want their dog to have a longer life if they prevented them from becoming obese? It’s a great opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your dog and get some additional exercise.

Make Sure They’re Eating Healthy

With all the information available on dog food, there’s almost no excuse to be negligent with your dog’s dietary habits. Diet is just as vital as exercise, if not more so. No one advises you to manufacture your food or even purchase the most costly food, but you must ensure your dog receives all the nutrients they need.

Broccoli, green beans, spinach, and other inexpensive grocery store vegetables are excellent supplements that are quite inexpensive in comparison to processed foods. A fresh egg now and again could work wonders for your dog’s diet.

Providing the ideal food for your pet is essential to their survival. Consult your vet about creating a diet suitable for your dog’s needs.

Maintain Your Dog’s Hygiene

Dogs may not enjoy taking baths, but there are instances when there is no other option. Regular baths, nail trimmings, and especially dental hygiene are crucial to ensure your dog lives the best possible.

Dental illness is one of the most prevalent diseases in dogs, so dental hygiene is particularly crucial. It has the potential to and has links to numerous pet ailments. While it may not be the most glamorous part of pet ownership, it is nevertheless very important for your dog’s health.

Give your canine some extra love when it comes to hygiene this Responsible Dog Ownership Month.

Train Your Dog

Despite being pack animals and naturally social creatures, dogs don’t always know how to act appropriately. Since training your dog guarantees that you can speak without interruption from outside sources, it is crucial to your safety and your dog’s happiness. It also teaches them stronger social skills while interacting with human and animal strangers.

Training can keep your dog mentally and physically active, reducing boredom, anxiety, and undesirable behavior around the house. So, teach your dog! As pet owners, we all try our hardest. 

Especially during Responsible Pet Owners Month, responsible dog ownership is something we can all strive to improve the lives of our canine companions. This September, will you make an effort to improve yourself for your dog? 

A Short History of Responsible Dog Ownership Month

A dog is the only animal on earth that loves you more than it loves itself.” We agree, which is why we dedicate the entire month of September to converting ourselves into better, more responsible owners for our pets. 

What would our life be like without a labrador’s gentle lick or our spaniel’s breathless inspection? It’s a terrific idea to look more closely at our dog’s welfare during September.

The American Kennel Club, the world’s biggest pet registry, created Responsible Dog Ownership Month. Since its founding in 1884, the group has promoted responsible dog ownership. 

Additionally, it has urged the government to adopt anti-cruelty laws. It serves dog owners’ interests. To prepare for bad weather, the club keeps a national network of volunteer and paid dog caregivers who share their knowledge and resources with the neighborhood.

Are you treating your dog with care? When is the following appointment for vaccinations? What can you do to make things better between you and your dog? 

As September begins, you can check your answers to these questions. We know you’re doing your best, but you could also need assistance. To honor Responsible Dog Ownership Month, schedule a grooming appointment, give your dog some treats, grab your camera, and play around with your dog.

What is the Biggest Responsibility of Owning a Dog?

The most important responsibility of owning a dog is ensuring it gets its regular meals and goes to the bathroom. Aside from that, ticks and vaccines at the appropriate intervals can become quite a nuisance over time.

What to do for Responsible Dog Ownership Month

People frequently identify September with the beginning of the school year, the beginning of football season, and the beginning of fall; nevertheless, September is also Responsible Dog Ownership Month. Therefore, while preparing for the upcoming festivities, consider these seven activities that will honor your dog and help you become a more responsible dog owner.

Exercise

Like people, dogs require exercise. Even though it’s tempting to stick to the tried-and-true routine of taking a stroll around the neighborhood with your dog, proper dog ownership needs owners to figure out what activities are most enjoyable for their pets. Others, however, may like a faster pace. 

In this case, a run or vigorous trek with elevation changes may be better than a simple walk. While some dogs adore their daily stroll, others may have a different preference. Play is essential for other types of canines. 

A dog eager for attention and mental stimulation in addition to physical activity could find that a vigorous game of tug-of-war or fetch is the most beneficial exercise for them. Some canines even enjoy going for swims or competing in agility competitions.

This month be sure you engage your dog in various physical activities and keep track of what seems to result in the greatest excitement, happiness, and weariness for your pet. 

After you determine the type of physical activity or canine sport your dog enjoys, you will be able to celebrate being a responsible dog owner all year long if you make it a point to participate in that activity regularly.

Health and Overall Well-Being

In addition, you should ensure that your dog receives the necessary nourishment, dental care, and frequent checkups at the veterinarian, which you should schedule and attend to regularly. 

Because a dog’s medical requirements change as it ages, it is essential to discuss with your veterinarian the conditions that apply to your dog at any given stage of its life. Immunizations are necessary for most dogs annually; however, some veterinarians suggest delaying certain vaccinations until a dog is a certain age.

In addition, your veterinarian can provide you with information regarding any dental treatment your dog may require, such as routine cleaning. When it comes to your dog’s diet, you may need to consider several aspects, such as the animal’s age, weight, level of activity, allergies, etc. 

Your dog may have specific dietary requirements, and your veterinarian can assist you in determining the appropriate amount of food for your dog and these requirements. Some veterinarians may suggest grain-free diets or other specialized foods for dogs prone to gastrointestinal difficulties.

During Responsible Dog Ownership Month, make an appointment with your veterinarian for your dog to have a routine exam, during which you will also discuss your dog’s vaccines, dental health, and diet. You and your dog may get in shape and strengthen your bond by participating in agility together.

Training

You and your dog can do many fun activities together, such as going for a stroll in the morning or cuddling up on the couch. Training is a fantastic approach to making your dog more social, well-behaved, and safe and improving the link you share with them. 

There are a variety of classes and activities available for you and your dog to participate in. Once you are familiar with all of the options that are accessible, determine what it is that your dog needs, and then go from there. 

The AKC good dog program is an excellent choice if you are unsure about the type of training that would be most beneficial for your dog. A call to the helpline is a smart place to begin.

Travel

If you are going to be gone for an extended period and need to make arrangements for your dog, you should do so as soon as possible. As is the case with training, there is a wide variety of options available, such as hiring a professional dog sitter who will check in on your dog daily or hiring dog walkers who will ensure that your dog continues to get exercise. 

At the same time, you are gone or boarding kennels where you can leave your dog while you vacation. During this Responsible Dog Ownership Month, ensure that the vacation accommodations you have for your dog are ideal for their safety, well-being, comfort, calm, and relaxation.

Socialization

It is crucial to socialize with your dog its whole life, from when it is a puppy to an old dog. Doing so can be gratifying and enjoyable to celebrate being a responsible dog owner during Responsible Dog Ownership Month and every other day. Older dogs may require assistance adjusting to adding new family members or pets to the household. 

In contrast, younger dogs and puppies can reap significant benefits from early exposure to scenarios and conditions they should meet in their daily lives. Basic socialization might involve:

• Exposing a dog consistently to other dogs of varying sizes and ages.
• Exposing the dog to different sorts of humans.
• Going to dog parks.
• Engaging in meet-and-greets while on a leash.
• Other similar activities.

A dog, through proper socialization, is more likely to behave appropriately in various settings, lowering the risk of engaging in unwanted or potentially harmful behaviors. As a result, the dog’s life may be safer and more satisfying.

Safety

When caring for a dog, the time-honored admonition to put safety first is just as important as ever. One simple method to engage in responsible dog ownership is to make it a priority to provide your dog with the safest environment in which it is feasible for it to thrive. 

If your dog spends a lot of time outside, ensure an appropriate fence around your yard, and provide it access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times. Additionally, protect it from the elements if it is outside for an extended period.

Before you take your dog out for a stroll, check the leash, collar, and harness to ensure they are all in good working order. Are all of the straps dependable and free of frays? Are there any clips that aren’t functioning properly? 

In addition, you might wish to check that the equipment for your dog fits properly. A collar that is too loose will make it easy for puppies to escape from it. At the same time, a collar that is too tight will be uncomfortable and may even make it difficult for a dog to breathe.

Despite these attempts, there is still a chance that the dogs will discover a method to escape. Microchipping your pet, enrolling them in a program like AKC reunite, and providing them with ID tags that include their name and your contact information are all things you can do to improve the chances of your dog making it back home unharmed if they become loose.

Emergency Preparedness

It is an essential aspect of being a dog owner to have a plan for how you will take care of your pet in the event of a crisis, whether it be a natural disaster like the recent wildfires in the west or the impending hurricane season in the east. You can make emergency preparations for your dog this Responsible Dog Ownership Month by;

• Sticking stickers on the windows of your home that inform first responders that a dog is inside; setting aside food, water, and medications for use in an emergency.
• Prepare a canine first-aid kit and a “go-bag” for your dog.  
• Find out which hotels will allow you to bring your dog with you, and devise an evacuation strategy that considers your pet. 
• Complete the AKC reunite emergency plan to get started with the program.

Why is Responsible Dog Ownership Month Important?

It is a Call to Action

When it comes to a dog’s upbringing, there is no such thing as being too cautious. Suppose you have a month like this one. In that case, you will have the opportunity to share responsibility with other people and to benefit from their experiences and insights as you strive to become the best possible parent to your dog.

It Serves as a Wake-Up Call

Having a dog as a pet can be an extremely rewarding experience. Still, it also comes with a significant amount of responsibility for which few people are ready. 

This celebration, which lasts for a whole month, exemplifies the attentiveness and commitment required when rearing a dog. It is not all sunshine and butterflies, so give yourself the entire month of September to reflect before making a choice you might regret later.

It Gives a Voice to the Voiceless

Responsible Dog Ownership Month focuses all of your attention on your canine companion before the festivities completely consume you. Develop new routines, make lasting connections, and refresh your relationships with the four-legged household members. 

You can also join the American Dog Owners Association to meet other dog owners and share experiences.

The Bottom Line

Your connection with your dog can become stronger if you accept responsibility for the dog’s well-being and seek new methods to develop as a dog owner. If you already have a dog or are thinking about getting a new canine friend through adoption, educating yourself on how to be a responsible pet owner can help your dog succeed in the future.

Follow the tips in this article on the responsibilities of owning a pet dog and thus make your dog happy.