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You all know that I have and adore my 2 rescue dogs! What kind of dog owner are you? 

Owning a dog is an important responsibility, as you are in charge of the health and wellbeing of your pet. But you are also responsible for any damage and incident caused by your pet. Therefore, responsible dog owners play a huge role in the community. 

Indeed, when people talk about bad dogs, what they actually mean is irresponsible dog owners who do not know how to care for their pets. There is no such thing as a bad dog. 

A barking dog, for instance, could have separation anxiety. 

An aggressive dog may only need proper training to build trust. 

A messy dog can clean after himself, but his owner can. 

In other words, how people perceive your dog depends entirely on you. Here’s how to be the best dog owner possible. 

#1. Knowing how to control your dog

Ideally, you want to be able to take your dog anywhere with you without affecting anyone’s experience. If you are not an experienced dog owner, it can be helpful to work with a specialist dog trainer. Indeed, the trainer can help address behavioral issues with your pet and teach you techniques to manage everyday situations. It makes it easier to go to a restaurant or welcome friends at home without having to worry about your dog. 

#2. Choosing sustainable and healthy food

You may be familiar with the nutritional needs of people, but dogs have different requirements. Therefore, it is essential to select quality food that supports your dog’s health. Ideally, dog food should contain plenty of digestible protein from known and traceable sources you can trust. You also want to check the ingredients carefully as a lot of famous brands produce high caloric food with little nutritional value!

Your choice of food will affect the health of your pet, their teeth, digestion, and weight. 

#3. Cleaning after your pet

Nobody likes to step into a dog’s poop. Unfortunately, when you take your dog for a walk, these things are unavoidable. As a dog owner, you need to be prepared for all eventualities. Picking up your dog’s waste can make a big difference. Indeed, it can ensure your neighborhood remains clean, and therefore neighbors are more welcoming of dogs. Additionally, dogs’ poop can spread disease to other dogs. Your dog may not show any symptoms, but the bacteria and parasites in the waste can be harmful to people and animals. 

#4. Playing and walking every day

Your dog is not a Tamagotchi you can use when bored and ignore when busy. Dogs are living creatures with physical and emotional needs. Walking your dog every day is an essential activity. It ensures your dog can receive the exercise and mental stimulation he needs. There are plenty of things to smell and discover on a walk! Additionally, it is a fantastic bonding opportunity. 

#5. Being respectful of others 

Not everyone likes dogs. Some people are afraid of dogs, for example. As a dog owner, you need to read people’s behavior, so you can take your dog away from them if needed. Ultimately, a good dog owner doesn’t force everyone to interact with their pet! 

Are you able to address your dog’s and your neighbors’ needs? Being a fantastic dog owner is hard work! But it is worth it when you see the joy your pet brings you and everyone else around. 

Heather Brummett

I am Heather Brummett . I'm just a real mom, sharing my real life experiences with the world. Thank you for being a part of my world. Here you will find recipes, crafts, fun ideas for the kids, how to work at home, encouragement, inspiration, and the latest news in and around Houston. To be featured or for information on freelance work contact me at [email protected].

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