Responsible Dog Ownership
We’re all striving to be the best pup parents that we can be. We love our best friends so much that we’d literally bend over backwards for their happiness.
Although we get it, it can be difficult to know what to do. Responsible pet ownership is hard.
That’s why we’ve put together an ultimate guide for you to create an extra special bond with your dog and know how to be a responsible dog owner.
At Petz Park, our number one priority for your dog is their health. The secret to keeping your dog by your side for as long as possible is your ability to be proactive with their well-being.
Activate your pet insurance early, stay up to date with vaccinations, book in for regular check-ups. Just as you would for yourself, put your dog’s physical and mental health first.
Because who doesn’t love to feel great?
Encourage your dog to be active. Take them for walks or for a run, play ball or chase; stimulate them physically and challenge them mentally. Keeping your dog physically fit will decrease the chances of obesity and delay issues such as arthritis. In doing so, you’ll increase your fitness levels too – everyone’s a winner.
Allowing your dog to socialise with other dogs is exciting for them. You get to meet other pup parents and bag yourself a few more pals too!
Of course, nutrition goes hand in hand with exercise for your dog. Make sure that their dietary needs are optimal. Like us, the food that your dog eats determines their mood and is a factor in their overall health. Overfeeding can lead to obesity; under-eating can lead to malnourishment – either of which will cause other medical complications in the future.
Ensuring your dog's dietary requirements are met will increase trust between you both – they know when you’re doing things to make them feel their best! Our expertise lies within these walls too. Supplementing your dog early on is a great way to take precautions on your dog’s nutritional health and has the ability to prolong any future problems too.
Take a trip to the salon and stay on top of your dog’s grooming needs. We all love to be pampered from time to time and we all need it. The same goes for your dog! To get them used to the experience by starting to take them as a puppy. There are some fantastic salons out there that do their absolute best to guarantee your dog enjoys their time spent with them.
Be aware of how often your dog is having his/her teeth cleaned and nails clipped and how frequently much loved (or not) bath time occurs. Different breeds of dog have different needs when it comes to grooming. It is important that you know what your specific dog breed requires.
Oral hygiene is commonly overlooked and can lead to some nasty problems. Looking after your dog’s teeth and gums should be high on your list of priorities. Not sure how? No problem, we’ve got you covered here.
How compatible are your living conditions with your dog? It’s their home too so make sure it’s safe for them! Your house should be fully dog proof. This means anything that has the potential to cause harm is well and truly out of their way. Any chemicals and cleaners should be locked away or out of reach, food that is harmful should be stored up high and small or potentially hazardous objects shouldn’t be left lying about.
If you have a particularly curious dog then pay extra attention to anything in your home that could end in disaster! A bored and curious dog may just be feeling especially interested in what they can dig around for. Be aware if there are any sharp corners that your dog may harm themselves on – puppies especially can get a bit excited from time to time!
Train your dog! This tip could just be the one you need to maximise the bond between you and your dog. A well-trained and obedient dog is known to be a respectful one. Mutual respect between you and your dog is powerful. Knowing how to communicate with each other allows you to connect in a way that no other person is.
You can teach your pup the basics or you can give them even more mental stimulation; teach them tricks, more advanced commands and mentally challenge them. This will reduce anxiety and boredom in them and you’ll be getting on like a house on fire in no time.
A dog that trusts you will communicate his/her emotional needs to you better as well as trying to tend to yours. You are their lifeline and they rely on you to take the best care of them. Building a strong bond by knowing how to be a responsible dog owner is important.
Of course, these are only a few of the big things that your dog will recognise. Day to day duties like picking up after their mess and ensuring they have an ID tag don’t go a miss too!
If you have any other tips that you’d love us to feature or if you think we’ve missed anything then let us know! You can get in touch with us via Messenger.
Our team would love to hear from you!
