Stop and give yourself a much-deserved pat on the back.
We truly believe, you are doing the right thing for your dog simply because you are here sharing this space with us which means you want to learn more!
Being a dog parent is a privilege and you should be proud of being one. Wear it like a badge of honor (because it IS) and spread the word on how to be a responsible dog parent like yourself!
Is there like a guide or some criteria to qualify as a responsible dog parent? You bet there is and Pet Pals has you covered! In fact, Suzie C. wrote and compiled this list of the 10 Commandments on How To Be A Responsible Dog Parent and we are sharing them here.
#1 - THOU SHALL RESPECT YOUR DOG
It may be surprising for you why this is the first in the list of commandments on how to be a responsible dog parent. You see, we fully believe that every pet is different and we also think that having an understanding of that is crucial to being a wonderful pet parent. Why? Because respect develops that way.
Once someone respects their dog, they would care enough to find out more regarding how to best care for and address needs. Respecting a dog also means giving the dog enough time to adjust to living with you.
Note that all dogs, no matter if they came from a shelter or a rescue should be shown the same level of respect. Once your dog understands that your role is a loving caregiver and leader, a happy and satisfying dog-human relationship will surely follow!
#2 - THOU SHALL PROVIDE YOUR DOG WITH FOOD, SHELTER, AND AFFECTION
Being a responsible dog parent means providing for the animal’s basic needs. That means food, water, shelter, social interaction, and growth.
#3 - THOU SHALL TRAIN YOUR DOG LOVINGLY
There can be times when some pet parents feel bad about having to train their dog, thinking that they may hurt the dogs feelings. As long as you don’t physically hurt or harm your dog by beating, starving, and punishing your dog for things he/she cannot control, then you should be in good shape. Dogs need structure, you are responsible for providing your dog that structure.
The right way of training a dog is by being respectful of its limitations and being consistent with expectations. Just remember that compassion, understanding, positive reinforcement, knowledge from a professional like Pet Pals Dog Mentorship Program and patience goes a long way.
#4 - THOU SHALL PROTECT YOUR PET FROM HARM
Protecting your dog from harm also means pet proofing your home so that your dog cannot eat something or do something that may harm him/her. This also includes not placing your dog in situations which may cause harm. Example: If you have a dog, chaining it in the backyard when you live in bear or wolf country is NOT advisable.
As a dog parent, it is your responsibility to do the forward thinking for your dog – and yes, even when he/she gives you the hard-to-resist puppy-dog eyes!
#5 - THOU SHALL BRING YOUR DOG THE VET FOR A CHECKUP WHEN NEEDED
There is no excuse for not bringing your dog to a vet if something seems off. Sure, finances can be tight sometimes but there are also ways to get around that. Our dog supportive community has discounted shot clinics from Sioux Nation Pet Clinic, spay/neuter programs from Sioux Empire Pit Rescue and more. At the very least, you would know how your dog is doing by consulting a vet, Dr. Charity Arnes or any vet from All City Pet Care East is a great place. In case something is indeed wrong, you will at least know which options you have.
You may even find it beneficial to try more natural forms of healing such as homeopathic products (stay tuned more of this to come).
#6 - THOU SHALL STRIVE TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICES FOR YOUR DOG’S HEALTH
There are so many trends when it comes to pet health that it is often too easy to join the band wagon and go with what’s popular instead of what’s right. To do what’s right, read up, do your research, and try to keep things to a minimum.
Try to address all aspects of your dog’s health. This means taking care of not just the physical needs but also making sure that your dog gets proper social interaction, play time, and yes, even some learning! Be informed and be open. Be observant and be loving. In the end, what your dog needs is a loving pet parent who would be his or her advocate in every way, especially when it comes to health.
#7 - THOU SHALL ENSURE THAT YOUR DOG IS SPAYED OR NEUTERED
Want the big picture? Do you know that a huge percentage of shelter and rescue dogs are from unregulated breeding by ‘intact’ dogs? Are you aware how many millions (yes, MILLIONS!) of dogs are put to sleep every year because shelters and rescues cannot hold them anymore? Do you know that intact dogs can sometimes be more vulnerable to certain cancers and behavioral problems? Well, now that you know how important spaying and neutering is, doesn’t it make sense to go for it? Sioux Nation Pet Clinic and Hartford Vet Clinic seem to have to have the lowest prices the last time we completed a market analysis. What vet do you see? Tag them below!
#8 - THOU SHALL ENSURE YOUR DOG HAS PROPER IDENTIFICATION
It is almost inevitable that your dog may get lost at one point in its lifetime. To safeguard your dog from totally not finding its way back to your home, have your dog wear a collar with your name and contact details on it. It’s also recommended to have your pet microchipped when possible, to do so. Listen to Pet Pals Bark & Learn Podcast for more information on microchipping.
But why the need for the double identification? Well, not everyone would have a microchip reader or would know how to use one. A collar with your details would work so that the people who may find your pet would know how and where to contact you. Visible ID tag be kept on the dog's collar as the best/first line of defense against loss.
#9 - THOU SHALL INCLUDE YOUR DOG IN FUTURE PLANS
How would you feel if someone commits to living with you for the rest of your life and then suddenly decides a few weeks, months, or years later that you should be ditched because you don’t fit in that person’s life anymore? Hurts right? Now imagine not being able to do anything about it and facing the possibility of death just because someone failed to think ahead and doesn’t have a plan B so that you can live. Isn’t that unfair? It’s totally ridiculous!
The scenario above is what’s going on everywhere in the world right now. Thousands of dogs are being put to sleep or abandoned every day because their dog parents didn’t think of including them in their future plans. You cannot get a dog today and then suddenly decide you must get rid of it in the future because you want to date someone who does not like dogs.
Adopting a dog and being a responsible pet parent can mean having to give up some things because your commitment to your dog trumps mere creature comforts. Simply put, don’t commit to anything you have no intention of doing your best to accomplish.
It takes a special type of person to have the grits and strength of character to honor the unspoken pact which every dog parent has with their pet – a friendship for a lifetime.
#10 - THOU SHALL NOT ABANDON YOUR DOG
Adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment. It can either be your lifetime or the pet’s lifetime. The point is, having a pet is truly a til death do us part sort of relationship unless very special circumstances warrant that someone else has to take care of your dog.
As a responsible dog parent, you should understand that you should only adopt a pet if you can fully commit to being a part of its life for as long as you or the animal is alive. As Christine of Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue says about adopting, “Adopt with the intention of forever, no matter what. Know the cost, time and emotional effort may be high but, in the end, the rewards are priceless.”