What Makes A Responsible Owner?

[Steve]

O.K. I think Im a pretty responsible dog owner but quite often I see things which others expect people to do with their dogs which I dont do.I also do things with my dogs which I think are a necessary part of being responsible dog owner that others dont.

Kind of like being a parent I guess where I make decisions which I think are the best ones for my kids and thats different in many ways to other parents.

I get a bit concerned when I see things which seem inconsequential on their own which have the potential to change things and take away some of our rights to make these kind of decisions without interference from government or welfare agencies.

Kind of like raising the bar so that it becomes accepted that unless you do certain things in certain ways you are irresponsible and shouldnt own a dog.Many of these things begin under the banner of canine welfare and whats best for dogs but they have unintendd consequences which sometimes cause bigger problems.

Id like to discuss here what everyone feels are the things which go into making someone a responsible dog owner.

Ive a couple of reasons for this. One is to have a good start point for a further study, another because the MDBA has a membership level which is for responsible pet owners which includes people who have agreed to our code of conduct and people who have been given free memberships because they own a Breeder member or rescue member dogs and we are working on programs for them.Some of these are very experienced dog people but many are first time dog owners.

There is no right or wrong answer.

What do you think makes a responsible dog owner?

Edited January 13, 2010 by Steve

[Keshwar]

Good question but not easy to answer.

But I'll give it a go.

First up provide the basics - food, shelter & exercise.

Provide veterinary care when required - annual checkups etc.

If not a registered breeder or participant in a dog sport that requires intact dogs, desex at an appropriate age for the breed.

Provide a safe environment for dog/s - eg. secure fenced area for play

Provide at least basic training for dog/s.

Will not allow dogs to roam free.

Will pick up after dog/s.

Have dog/s on a leash except in designated off-leash areas.

In designated off-leash areas have control of dog/s.

Well I guess that's a start.

[WreckitWhippet]

To keep it short a responsible owner knows what the dogs needs are and provides for them. This includes the basic food, water, shelter, vet care and also the physical exercise and mental stimulation that the individual dog requires. Responsible owners abide by the law.

I think that the word " responsible" cannot be applied to anything beyond what is above ( although I've possible left out some things )

There's "responsible" and then there's the truly dedicated owners, who make their dog the very best it can be. To me being "responsible" is the base level when it comes to ownership and it's what you do beyond that , that really counts.

[~Anne~]

I agree with SBT's comments and was thinking of the exact same response. A responsible owner understands a dog's needs and provides them with care appropriate to those needs, and understands and knows all relevant laws pertaining to the dogs they own.

Edited January 13, 2010 by ~Anne~

[spanky]

Have to agree with SBT123, I think what I see as responsible is probably very different to most of my family / friends, but then they will all tell you I'm a crazy dog person.

Responsible is providing appropriate food, water, shelter, exercise, vet care, training, poop pickup, grooming and fencing for the breed of dog you own.

For example I have French Bulldogs, so in summer most of their exercise is training and playing fetch in the backyard... we do the occassional walk and lots of trips in the car, but due to the heat it just isn't intelligent to walk them as normal. I provide them with 3 different drinking buckets and they have a pool to cool off in. They have plenty of access to shade and on very hot days I leave a pedistal fan on which blows over their bed and wet towels on the ground. I believe this is a responsible approach for the breed I own.

Guess responsible is a hard thing to define as everyone individual has a different idea of what it actually is.

If you take a scientific approach to the animal welfare debate (just happened to be reading an article this morning) it is not about measuring but assessing the level of welfare and no matter what method you use to make the assessment if it is done properly all methods should reach a similar conclusion... so if the animal is still allowed to show natural behaviours, is without pain / treated for illness and in good condition (eating / drinking appropiately) then from a welfare perspective it is doing well, so maybe that is a way to determine if the owner is responsible?

[Quickasyoucan]

To keep it short a responsible owner knows what the dogs needs are and provides for them. This includes the basic food, water, shelter, vet care and also the physical exercise and mental stimulation that the individual dog requires. Responsible owners abide by the law.

I think that the word " responsible" cannot be applied to anything beyond what is above ( although I've possible left out some things )

There's "responsible" and then there's the truly dedicated owners, who make their dog the very best it can be. To me being "responsible" is the base level when it comes to ownership and it's what you do beyond that , that really counts.

I agree with this but I think it is important to define things like basic care.

It seems that the public's definition of basic care can be very different to what we would consider basic care. For example if you watch those American rescue programs often they say that something way below what I would consider adequate shelter meets the legal definition of "shelter".

I also agree wholeheartedly with the statement that responsible dog owners abide by the law, indeed I think those owners that don't are setting the rest of us up for a further loss of our canine rights.

However, I think that I would take this further by saying a responsible owner makes sure that their dog is a good canine citizen, for me that would be a dog that makes minimal negative impact on:

- the environment - ie the owner cleans up after their dog on all occasions.

- other people and animals - for me this includes not allowing your dog, however friendly, to run up to, molest or generally annoy other people or their animals.

Of course their are many positives to interaction with dogs but not everyone or everything shares our love of canines and we have to respect that.

For me a responsible owner seeks to have a dog that behaves appropriately at all times in public, but who equally is happy, stimulated, fed correctly (and that includes not being overfed) and healthy.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Quickasyoucan

[Christina]

It is not as simple as saying what in a list & enforcing it all as different applies to different dogs & circumstances.

When one gets to specifics & they are enforced by law it has to be very cautious & well thought out.

eg. Keshwars point - Provide at least basic training for dog/s.

Would this mean a person has to attend classes ?

What if it is someone in a wheelchair or isolated, far away etc ?

Would this mean they are not allowed a dog & cannot train it themselves ?

This is where we can cause problems by having too many laws that are fixed & rigidly enforced.

Obviously basics should apply which are

Food. Shelter. Vet care when needed. Keeping the dog clean & groomed (which never gets a mention). Human contact.

Providing the dog with room to exercise & not confining or chaining/tethering for extended times.

The last sentance is worded as I see it . Hard to define as a half hour daily walk, as proposed, is not as much exercise as dogs would get running around acreage free.

So does the person on acreage get penalised if they don't put their dog on a lead & walk the streets ?

We already have laws in place for dogs being under effective control, on a lead, poop scooping, dogs roaming free etc.

If we are not careful & accept & expect too many laws/rules we may all find ourselves in a situation beyond our control, with rules applied & enforced stupidly & no control over anything.

I do believe that all dogs owned by non registered breeders should be desexed, save a lot of problems, but that is not really under the heading of responsible dog ownership as many entire dogs are fine & not bred from, or a problem.

[StaceyB]

I think it's case of understanding the needs of the animal and providing for those needs to the best of your ability.

[Kajirin]

At the local dog training I attended thee was a woman training her Italian Greyhound in a motorised wheelchair, she trained alongside the rest of her class on the lawned area and just compensated for certain training that she couldn't physically do. She had one well trained dog

[megan_]

At the local dog training I attended thee was a woman training her Italian Greyhound in a motorised wheelchair, she trained alongside the rest of her class on the lawned area and just compensated for certain training that she couldn't physically do. She had one well trained dog

There is a guy down the street who has a manual wheelchair - and he walks his dog every day! He even takes it to the park and wheels along the gravel.

[Christina]

At the local dog training I attended thee was a woman training her Italian Greyhound in a motorised wheelchair, she trained alongside the rest of her class on the lawned area and just compensated for certain training that she couldn't physically do. She had one well trained dog

There is a guy down the street who has a manual wheelchair - and he walks his dog every day! He even takes it to the park and wheels along the gravel.

That was just an example of, as in the question must everyone attend classes ? Should it be compulsary ?

All my current dogs & every one I have ever owned does a basic sit, stay, comes when called, is lead trained, obeys quiet, leave it, is groom trained to give me this & that foot, chin up,belly now, ears, show me your teeth etc.

They are fed together with no fights, do as they are told etc.

So I have only ever been to a training class with one, timid dog needed socialising/confidence more than training.

My point was it is possible to train a dog without being legally forced to go to a training class.

How far do we really want things to go ?

Legislation on raising children has left parents with no rights really.

This is what is going to happen with dog ownership too unless we are extremely careful what we wish for.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Christina

[MonElite]

I think Im a responsible owner, but I wont talk about myself here but about one particular person that bought a pup from my litter last year.

He had dobes before and was interested in a well bred pedigree dog.

When my litter was advertised he filled in the enquiry form and it was a stand out, he answered all the questions just like I wanted them to be answered.

BUT

he had two very small kids and two SWF dogs so I was a bit reluctant as I worried that he wont have time for the dog, and the fluffies might become dobes breakfast if not careful.

I asked and asked questions, and said the pup will need to be separated from fluffies for several months and how would this work, he assured me he will do it.

He came over to my place with the whole familly to meet me and my dogs.

He didnt ask me for a particular sex of colour, just said - you know my situation and you will know my dogs, give me a dog that will fit in to my family or if there will be none then tell me there are none.

He got a crate and anything else I said to get before he got the pup.

The day he picked up a pup he organised for a trainer that I recomended to be at his place on arrival with the pup to intorduce the pup to the other dogs and the kids. Later organised to have the trainer come over and give him some obedience lessons.

He keeps in touch with me on regualr basis, if there is anything not 100% right with the dog I get a phone call and a request for advice.

The dog is walked every day, gets off leash runs on the beach, is well behaved and gets on with anyone and everyone.

I got invited to come over for a visit yesterday and we took my Furia and his dog for a run at the beach. I arrived in front of a beautiful, well maintained house, clear sign about the dog, and a secure area for the dog.

We took the dogs to the beach, the dog is happy, well mannered, looks terrific, comes when called, doesnt bother anyone. It was a pure pleasure to see one of my dogs to be living is that household.

Oh and the dog got desexed when I said its best to do it. The owner rang me to ask if its time and which vet to take him to, done extra health tests while there.

[Loving my Oldies]

I also agree wholeheartedly with the statement that responsible dog owners abide by the law, indeed I think those owners that don't are setting the rest of us up for a further loss of our canine rights.

This is crucial and applies to virtually all facets of the lives of us living in the 21st Century. Every time "something goes wrong", there are calls for government intervention and that is the last thing society needs. Governments everywhere seem to be unmitigated failures.

How many times do you hear, "[XXXXX] should be taught in school." Whatever happened to individual responsibility?

Anecdotally, I believe the majority of people do the right thing. However as an example: people are allowing their dogs to run off lead, escape their yards, and terrorise/frighten people and other animals. Instead of putting a few more rangers on the beat, councils enact laws to further restrict the rights of dogs owners across the board. I would have thought that putting a few more rangers on the beat would be much more cost effective (sadly government seems more about the bottom line than actually governing) and make for a happier society than enacting yet more laws.

RSPCA guidelines for animal care seem to be: adequate food, water and shelter. Doesn't matter if the dog is tied up in the back yard all day with a bucket of water that is changed every couple of months, and thrown a bone from time to time and can crawl into a broken down kennel, this apparently constitutes an okay environment.

However to the original question: To not repeat what others have said, I will add an understanding of the particular breed of dog you have. The needs of one dog can be very different from those of another. It would be nice if small dogs owners (of which I am one ) understood that what they have is still a dog and not a toy even if it isn't 15 or more kgs.

Perhaps the breeding world needs to change "Toy Dog Breed" to something different .

[Bisart Dobes]

Agree with others - providing care, shelter and security comes under 'responsible'.

But then there are so many more things I expect our puppy buyers to take up. With our breed socialisation and training are paramount and people must be dedicated to following through with not only the baby class we run until 16 wks for our pups but beyond that with our schedule up to 6 months. To me that is repsonsible ownership of a dobermann. Others may not see this as essential for their breeds.

For example - Monday this week our scorcher day - I took our dogs out for a swim early and then for a quick run at KCC park on the way home. Car and trailer were in the shade and dogs were run under the trees at the front - they dictated how long and how far they ran or didn't. This was more of a mental release than a physical release for the dogs. Providing this when I knew that they wouldn't be run later that day or night or probably the next day as well due to the heat is part of me being responsible to my dogs needs as far as I am concerned. BUT I still got lectured by someone for running my dogs in that heat and was told that I was being irresponsible - I didn't even bother arguing the point as I know that all my dogs were only doing what they dictated for themselves and they always get into their trailer berth when they have finished.

But therein shows difference of opinions with just one small example. An interesting topic though.

[Erny]

Hhhhhmmm .... "Responsible" - it is so very subjective and has different relevances depending on the dog in question, so it is difficult to actually define what it should mean. I agree with SBT's summation of it.

To that, I'd like to add that I view a responsible dog owner as one who respects and observes in advance the rights of others to enjoy outdoor activities (whether those people have or don't have another dog with them at the time) without their dog breaching other people's rights to peaceable enjoyment. If people have effective control of their dogs (on lead or off) then, even though I'm a professional trainer and training and behaviour of dogs is my passion (and job), I am not concerned about whether their dog will sit or drop on the first command, or recall to a finish in front, or heel. I don't even care, provided the dog is not being harmed and the owners are not finding it difficult, if their dog pulls on the lead a bit (although for both party's sakes, it is nicer when it doesn't).

Of course, this "respect in advance" goes to other things such as their dog barking (excessively, or late at night) and disturbing the surrounding neighbours. To take steps to ask and invite neighbours to let them know if they experience any problems associated with the dog's behaviour whilst at home, and to basically encourage amenable communication in preference to building resentment and fear of approach, for fear of being reproached.

I guess, in summation, it is about respect and consideration to others before assumption. Which, I think, is a part of what we used to see more of in my younger days : common sense and courtesy.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Erny

[Steve]

Yes it is interesting and leads to several issues.

For example. The RSPCA comes out and says lots about walking your dog - there are calls for penalties to be imposed if we dont yet I think Im very responsible and dont walk my dogs and many people I know who I would consider rsponsible dont walk their dogs off their property either.

If for example there's a loon who lives on the corner who is irresponsible who lets his dog out and it poses a risk to mine if I take it out of the yard for a walk and it attacks mine - Am I responsible for taking it for a walk or irresponsible for taking it out where I know there is threat. If I have 2 acres fenced off which is safe for my dogs to run in and play together and I have lots of great stuff to keep them happy am I irresponsible because they dont get to walk beside me around the town on a leash ? What if when they are walking they find a snake and I knew that there is a fairly high risk that they will before I take them?

Edited January 14, 2010 by Steve

[Erny]

I agree Steve - there is no blanket statement that I could possibly think of that would encompass in totality a definition for "responsible".

You mentioned about the legislation rendering it mandatory to walk dogs daily. Don't want to change this thread to the topic of "RSPCA and stupid laws" but what the authorities are losing a grip of is the fact that you cannot legislate against stupid people. And the fact that IMO most people are not stupid (in the sense of REALLY totally stupid - LOL ..... subject of another thread - "Define 'Stupid' ) and for this some credit needs to be extended. Dog-owners need to be allowed the freedom to make judgement calls on behalf of their dogs. After all, they know them and their immediate environment the best, more than any law could adjudicate for.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Erny

[Steve]

One of the speakers at the Monash Uni Building better dogs seminar is speaking on "What makes people responsible Owners"

based on her PHD research. That will be interesting.

[Erny]

It will be.

Maybe they will be able to define "stupid" as well.

[casowner]

I define being My Dogs socially responsible owner by

- understanding his breed traits and behaviour

- providing correct diet and fresh water

- ensuring that he lives in a safe as possible environment

- socialise him to environmental factors that I believe that he will be subjected to in the future

- ensure that he has regular personal contact with all family members

- ensure that all health and maintenence routines are performed

- regularly handle him all over including feet/mouth/ears etc so that if he is required to go to the vet he has been handled properly

- training to include basic sit, wait, down commands - he is a flock guardian other basic obedience is not important in our situation

- ensure that all visitors to our home are educated on what we expect of them regarding Jake

- remove him from possible threat situations or situations I feel may conflict e.g large groups of visitors (he is placed inside)

plus much, much more