Anyone who owns a dog or is thinking about canine ownership wants to be a good dog owner. Some people think that it’s easy or that dogs are low maintenance. But neither of those things is exactly true. Being a good dog owner takes a great deal of thought, a willingness to invest time in your dog, and a desire to learn and grow with your pet.
So, how can you be a good dog owner? There are a few basic things that you can do to become a good and even an exceptional dog owner.
Preparation: Is a Dog Right for You?
Before you run off and get a dog, you should seriously sit down and consider if this animal is right for you and your current living situation. One of the ways that people slip into becoming bad owners is by bringing a dog into a situation that is unsuited for their needs.
Dogs need a lot of care, attention, time, and exercise. If you cannot bring your pet outside multiple times per day, play with them, or afford the food and you are not willing to take them to the vet and spend the time to train them, this animal might not be right for you. Not everyone’s life is conducive to dog ownership. People who work all day, who spend a lot of time out and about without their dog, or who are strapped for time or money in general might not be able to handle a dog.
Make an honest assessment of yourself, and think deeply about whether you can afford and handle a dog. Ensuring that you can take care of a pet is the first step to becoming an excellent owner. If you’ve determined that you are willing and able to take care of a dog, here are other things you can do to be a good owner.
The 11 Tips on How to Be a Good Dog Owner
1. Research Your Dog’s Breed
One of the first things you should do when getting a dog is to research the breed you are getting. There are dozens of different dog breeds in all shapes, sizes, and personalities, and they all have different needs. Some need more exercise than others, and some have more intensive grooming requirements than others. Knowing what kind of breed you are getting and their specific needs will help you get everything you need to properly care for them. For example, if you get a Poodle, you will likely require grooming supplies so you are ready to keep their coat clean.
2. Provide Your Dog With Quality Food and Water
Once you know what kind of breed you are getting and do some research, you should have a good idea of what kind of food they will need. One big way you can improve your dog’s quality of life from the get-go is to provide them with quality food and water.
There are plenty of cheap dog foods on the market, but they are rarely the best choice for your pet’s specific needs. If you invest in high-quality dog food, you can provide serious health benefits to your dog. You can ask your veterinarian for suggestions about what food would be best for your particular pup.
Also, make sure you are refilling your pet’s water once per day and cleaning their water bowl on a regular basis to ensure that they have access to fresh, clean water whenever they need it. If your dog is drinking the water bowl down on a consistent basis, start refilling it more regularly.
3. Exercise Your Dog Twice Per Day
Dogs typically need some form of exercise twice per day. Most people choose to do two walks, one in the morning and one in the evening. Exercise is a vital part of a dog’s routine. A pup that gets proper exercise is calmer, more focused, and less anxious than one that does not. Some breeds need far more exercise than others, so be sure to give your dog the recommended amount of exercise.
4. Play With Your Dog Once per Day
Even if you walk your dog twice daily (or do other forms of exercise), you should still try to play with your dog at least once per day. It has multiple benefits. Playing with your dog helps build a bond between you and your pet. It provides mental stimulation for your dog and helps build trust and affection. Some people think if they walk their dogs, they don’t have to play with them, but you should still try. You don’t have to play with your dog for very long. It can just be for a few minutes.
5. Periodically Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian
One of the best ways to be a good owner is to take your dog to the veterinarian. Canines need regular examinations, vaccines, and checkups. These exams will help keep your pet happy and healthy, and the vaccines will prevent them from getting sick. All of this is important for keeping your dog healthy for the long run.
It is also a good idea to build a relationship with your veterinarian. The more familiar your vet is with you and your dog, the more knowledgeable they will be about your pet’s health, and that will help them provide the best possible advice and guidance. This can be especially valuable for new dog owners who are not yet familiar or comfortable with owning a dog.
6. Keep Your Dog Well Groomed
Some dogs need periodic grooming to keep them healthy. Dogs with long coats need to be brushed, trimmed, and washed regularly. Otherwise, their fur can get matted, their skin can get infected, and they will start to smell or itch. Even dogs with short coats will need regular baths in order to remain at their best. Do not neglect your dog’s grooming needs; it can affect their health and well-being.
7. Provide Safe Spaces for Your Dog
Dogs need safe spaces to feel comfortable and confident. Some dogs appreciate a dog bed that they can call their own and hide their toys. Other dogs like a windowsill or an empty room. Some dogs like to make their crate into a safe space. Dogs need places where they can go and hide, decompress, and remove themselves from situations that they do not want to be in. Providing your dog with a safe space will be a huge boon for them, and it will help them acclimate to your lifestyle.
8. Address Your Dog’s Mental and Social Needs
Some dogs have anxiety, a “stranger danger” sense, aggressive tendencies, and the need for attention or playtime with other dogs. Paying attention to these needs and addressing them can elevate you from being an average dog owner to being an exceptional one. Dogs with anxiety can be treated or have lifestyle changes made to help them feel calmer.
Things like stranger danger and protective behavior can be socialized away. If your dog needs more attention, playtime, or a safe space, you can work to provide these things. If you can feel out your dog’s individual personality and tweak your lifestyle to meet their needs, it can make everyone happier.
9. Socialize Your Dog
One of the best things you can do for your dog (and yourself) is to socialize your dog as soon as you get them. A well-socialized pup is important for well-rounded and calm behavior. Socializing your dog means introducing them to a variety of new situations, places, and people and then rewarding good behavior during these encounters.
Dogs that are socialized from a young age have fewer incidents of anxiety and aggression when they’re older. So, bring your dog to the dog park. Take them on car rides. Show them off and introduce them to friends and family. All these things can help your dog adapt to their new life, and socialization can pay massive dividends in the future for both you and your pet.
10. Train Your Dog
Another thing that can help your dog thrive is training. Dogs that can recall, stay, sit, and stop will be safer and more confident than dogs without any training. Unruly dogs can bring undue stress to their owners, which can trickle down to the animals. Dogs that can listen to basic commands are also safer because they can be prevented from getting into trouble, eating things they shouldn’t, or running into traffic. Having an untrained and unsocialized dog will only bring grief.
11. Build a Schedule or Routine
Dogs respond extremely well to a routine and a schedule. One of the best ways to get a dog to settle in and feel comfortable at home is to put them on a schedule. Take them outside, feed them, and try to come home from work at the same time when you can. All these beats will help your dog feel secure and in control. Pups on a schedule are typically less anxious than those off of it. Scheduling and routine building are some of the most underrated parts of being a good dog owner, and they should be more heavily considered and practiced.
Conclusion
These are the building blocks to growing into an amazing dog owner. Canine ownership can be daunting at first, especially if you are new to it. These steps and tips can help you become the dog owner whom you know that you can be deep down. This list is not exhaustive, and every pup (and household) is different. If you are worried that you are not a good dog owner, don’t worry. Lackluster owners can easily transform into good owners with time and dedication. Everyone has to start somewhere!
Featured Image Credit: Krichevtseva, Shutterstock
Contents
- Preparation: Is a Dog Right for You?
- The 11 Tips on How to Be a Good Dog Owner
- 1. Research Your Dog’s Breed
- 2. Provide Your Dog With Quality Food and Water
- 3. Exercise Your Dog Twice Per Day
- 4. Play With Your Dog Once per Day
- 5. Periodically Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian
- 6. Keep Your Dog Well Groomed
- 7. Provide Safe Spaces for Your Dog
- 8. Address Your Dog’s Mental and Social Needs
- 9. Socialize Your Dog
- 10. Train Your Dog
- 11. Build a Schedule or Routine
- Conclusion
