Over the last few weeks I have either been personally confronted by or received emails from readers regarding bad dog owners. Like, I mean, so bad you wonder why they have a dog at all. I think the universe is trying to tell me something.
So I thought I'd put together a checklist of how to be a good dog owner. You can take it to heart or tongue-in-cheek, whatever floats your boat.
To be a good dog owner the biggest challenge you are going to face is taking responsibility for your dog. This goes beyond the standard protocol of providing food, shelter and making a lifelong commitment, but also absolving yourself of narcissism. Narcissism and good dog ownership do not go hand in hand. It's more like a fire and gasoline combination - yeah, you get the picture.
Just because you have the privilege of having a dog, does not mean that everyone automatically is going to like your dog and enjoy having it invade their space uninvited. The person your dog is annoying may seem polite as your dog jumps on them, but inside they are cursing your dog's existence. Please don't be so self-absorbed that you are unable to recognize how you and your dog negatively affect other people's lives.
Acceptance is another biggie. You are going to make mistakes. We all do. I do every day. Some days those mistakes are bigger than others. The point is to recognize that a mistake was made and make the effort not do it or allow it to happen again. This means that you do not expect others to manage your dog's behaviours because you don't have the courage to admit you made a mistake. As one of my favourite sayings goes, "Cowboy up!" Manage your dog's behaviours and when things go wrong (and they will, because your dog has a mind of its own and is capable of making its own choices if not guided properly), then admit the mistake, apologize and make things right.
It's OK to love your dog, but don't be blinded by it and become arrogant. Arrogance is another thing that should be left in your dog's poop bag after you pick it up. Don't become so arrogant that you think your dog is the smartest and most well-behaved dog around, because it isn't. . . trust me. This means that you have to train your dog. It will be a better behaved dog and you will love it even more.
Stop judging. Be kind to fellow dog owners. Instead of judging another person who you might see as having trouble, ask them if they need help in a genuine manner, not a judgmental way. We all have to start somewhere and you were that confused new dog owner at one time who knew very little but wanted to know more. Unless you were raised by a pack of dogs, you knew very little when you got your first dog.
Walk your dog every day. Even if you have a dog walker, your dog wants to spend time with you, because it lives with you and you are its world. Give it that time.
Say good night to your dog every day. Even after you've crawled into bed and gotten comfortable, get out of bed and do it. There will be a day, sooner than you realize, when your dog will no longer be here and you will wish you had one more chance to say good night.
The same thing applies to good mornings.
Don't buy dogs (or cats) from pets stores. Many of those animals come from puppy mill situations and when you purchase one, you are directly contributing to the pain and suffering of the dogs who are being housed there as breeding animals.
Consider rescuing or adopting before buying. There are so many rescue organizations offering every kind of breed and mix, from puppies to adults and the often overlooked senior dogs.
Finally, donate to a shelter or a private rescue group every year, even if you didn't get your dog from one. Their help to the dog world is invaluable. This donation could be food, beds, leashes, toys, financial support or even your time. Try going a step beyond your comfort zone and offer to be a foster family for a dog in transition. Contribute something other than an opinion.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
