September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month. Every year in September we celebrate responsible dog ownership with various activities around the country and celebrating the dogs in our lives!
What does it mean to be a responsible dog owner? As a responsible dog owner, you are not only keeping your dog healthy and safe, you are keeping others safe as well. This means finding a dog that is right for you and your family, first and foremost. Do a little research before you jump right into a breed you like because you think it is “cute”. Dogs like shih-tzu’s and maltese’s are quite adorable, but need a lot of upkeep to stay that adorable! This means a lot of grooming, which could be costly. One alternative is to learn how to groom your dog yourself. Labradors are lovable and fun, but require a lot of time spent playing and burning off all of that energy that they have stored up. A good option for dogs with that much energy is daycare.
Some dogs love to cuddle and some are very independent. It is best to find out what breed works for your family’s lifestyle before you look around. If you are interested in a particular breed and want to learn more about them, please do your research! Your local shelters are a good a place to look. The faces can change from day to day so it may be a good idea to not only check a shelter’s website but go look in person. A Check out petfinder.com to find adoptable dogs in your area.
“Once you have found a pet that is right for you, you need to make sure they are healthy and up to date on all of their vaccinations. This means taking them to a veterinarian as a puppy for checkups and vaccine boosters every 3-4 weeks up until they are 4 months old. As an adult dog, we recommend a yearly check up and vaccinations. We recommend seeing senior dogs every six months or so to do a physical exam and possibly check lab work to make sure all of the pet’s vital functions are working properly. Spaying and neutering your pet is also required to be a responsible dog owner. Microchipping you pet is highly recommended, it helps increase the chances that your pet will make it back home to you if they were to ever run away or get lost. We use HomeAgain microchips and this procedure can be done in the office during a regular physical exam.”
Taking these simple steps is a great way to ensure that you are being a responsible dog owner and your pet is safe, happy and healthy.
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