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This document is also available in PDF format,
free to print and distribute. RESPONSIBLE
DOG
OWNERSHIP
“The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish
world...is his
dog...When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and
reputations
fall to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey
through the heavens."
-
Senator Vest, 1884 Congressional Record
SELECT THE RIGHT BREED
1. Consider your habits, available
space, family patterns and schedules,
and time available for dog
feeding, training, care and exercise.
2. Investigate various breeds for requirements
and characteristics to
match your available resources,
family and time.
3. Purebred dogs are bred for consistent
physical and personality characteristics.
Conscientious breeders are
a wealth of information about the
breeds.
4. Decide whether you are looking for
a puppy or an adult dog. Puppies
are cuter, but CFoDC may require less training.
5. You are selecting a dog to be your
companion for the life of the dog.
Please remember this important fact.
SELECT THE RIGHT SOURCE
1. National and local dog breed clubs
have referrals to member-breeders
who have adopted their Code of
Ethics.
2. Contact the breeders, visit their kennel,
ask questions, request referrals,
and see the parents if possible.
3. Breed Rescue organizations and animal
shelters are good sources of
adult dogs looking for good homes.
Check them out.
ESSENTIALS FOR TRAINING
A leash and collar are
musts for obedience training! A cage or dog
crate aids in house-training. Chewy toys aid in
chew-training. A grooming table trains your dog
for grooming and veterinarian visits as well as
human handling.
A brush correct for the dog’s coat and a comb are
necessary for proper grooming maintenance and
care. Call your local groomer to find out how
often your dog needs to go in for grooming.
Nutritional doggy treats are a great reward for
training dogs. Verbal praise is the best reward!
Consistency is a must!!!
Collar and ID tag should be worn for your pets
safety and emergencies. Micro chipping is now
available to ensure your pet’s safe return home, if
he should become lost.
NUTRITION AND HEALTHCARE
Have a regular feeding schedule for your dog, using
a healthy, balanced dog food. Keep your
dogs water bowl clean with fresh water daily.
Visit your veterinarian for information of inoculations
and medications required for your dog.
Keep your dog free of external and internal parasites.
CONTAIN AND RESTRAIN
Keep your dog in a fenced yard or area for
its own protection.
Use your leash and slip-collar at all times
when walking your dog. Do not let your dog
take you for a walk. You are the one in control
of the exercise, walking time. Dog
training books and videos are available to
assist you in this training.
Please remember to have a pooper-scooper
or bags available at all times to clean your
yard as well as cleaning up after your dog
when you take him for walks.
EXERCISE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Teach your children and their friends not to
tease, taunt or mistreat your dog. At the
same time, train your dog to accept other
dogs and people. Do not forget “children are people too." If you have no children, encourage
your friends to bring their children
over. Your dog will then get use to children.
Socializing your dog is very important.
Dogs bark to express themselves. Your dog
needs your training about when it is okay to
bark and when it is not. Your neighbors will
appreciate your training and so will your
dog.
MOTHER NATURE'S REQUIREMENTS
Dogs have survived and prospered
over many centuries, many with mankind’s
help. Their inherent urges to
reproduce cause dogs to “seasonally”
behave very differently, much like
adolescent humans. These urges are
controllable by spaying and neutering
your dog.
Permitting your dog to have a litter to "show the kids the facts of life.” is no
longer an acceptable practice. There
are too many “homeless pets” that fill
shelters with innocent dogs looking for
good homes.
Consult with your veterinarian on
spaying your female or neutering your
male dog. Once you have done this
“responsible dog ownership” and management
becomes an easier task.
Dogs are inherently “pack animals,”
meaning they like canine companionship
and self-determine their “pecking
order.” This extends to neighborhood
dogs and other animals in your home.
LAWS AND YOUR DOG
Most locations require you to keep your dog
on a leash when outside your property,
unless in an area designated as an “offleash”
area. Other laws may require rabies
vaccinations, control of your dog so it will
not be a community nuisance as well as
specific laws regarding aggressive dogs.
Check with local authorities, animal control,
and your home owners association
with your questions on requirements and
the law.
ACTIVITIES AND ENJOYMENT
Enjoy your dog with the many activities
available today. Some of these activities
are: obedience training and trials, agility,
conformation dog shows, field trials, hound
“scent/sight” trials, working dog weight
pulls, agility test, herding test, backpacking,
sledding and one of the newest activities
available for people and their dogs is fly
ball.
Being a “RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER”
can be fun and an activity for the entire
family, human and canine.
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