Dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend,” and it’s easy to see why. More than 46 million households in the U.S. own at least one dog, and many own two or more. As a percentage of the population, about 37% to 47% of people own a dog. Being a dog owner comes with a great deal of responsibility. You have to not only take care of your dog, but you also have to ensure that you keep other people safe from your dog.
A main way you have to take care of your dog is to provide it with adequate food, water and shelter. Most dogs need to eat at least twice a day and sometimes more. As for water, you should check your dog’s bowl several times a day and refill it as needed. When providing shelter, it’s usually pretty simple. Most dogs can stay in a house or apartment with no trouble, but that may not always work. If you have a dog that can’t be trusted by itself, you can leave it in a wooden kennel. Any wooden kennel you use needs to have plenty of space for your dog as well as for food and water. Consult a vet before kenneling your dog in a wooden kennel.
Another important part of owning a dog is ensuring it gets enough play time and exercise. Not only is exercise important for your dog’s health, it also helps to prevent boredom in your dog, which can lead to bad behaviors, such as getting into garbage or chewing on furniture and shoes. Walking your dog usually is adequate, but you might want to take your dog to a dog park. Not only does this give your dog a chance to socialize, but dog parks often have obstacles for dogs and puppy playground equipment. Keep in mind that dogs need the most exercise when they are between 1 and 4 years old.
When you are walking and exercising your dog, one of the things you have to do is clean up when your dog goes to the bathroom. Dog poop removal is very important, because not only is it a nuisance, but it also can be a health hazard. One gram of dog feces can contain more than 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, so you definitely want to have a dog poop bag handy when you are out for a walk.
Being a responsible dog owner is important, both for your pet and the world around you. Following these tips will put your on the road to doing that.