What Makes A Responsible Owner?

[BJean]

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.

If you do a search on Bennett and her speakers Tammie, Mia, Vanessa etc

you will find most of the material and ethos that will be presented at the seminar.

What makes people responsible owners you will see

all goes back to the dogs temperament and suitability for modern life.

What you will be presetned with at the seminar is a complete menu for the social engineering course they would like you to follow.

Psychologist Pauline Bennett is leading a Monash University team in developing a diagnostic tool to match dog breed with owner.

Dr Bennett said research showed that most people loved their dogs ''to bits'' but that was not always the case. ''People buy dogs on the basis of how cute they are as puppies and they don't think about the fact they are going to have to live with them for 15 years,'' she said.

The university's Anthrozoology Research Group, made up of psychologists, veterinarians and zoologists with an interest in canines, has already developed a test.

It assesses the financial cost and emotional and practical downsides of having a dog in the house.

There are questions such as ''How often do you feel that looking after your dog is a chore?'' and ''How often do you tell your dog things you don't tell anyone else?''

The study of 1016 people, by Vanessa Rohlf, a PhD student in psychology, shows the more activities an owner and dog do together, the more responsible the owner is in caring for the pet. ''The more they interacted with their dog, the more likely they were to annually vaccinate their dog and the more likely they were going to groom it,'' Ms Rohlf said. ''A lot of councils tend to restrict areas that people can take their dogs to ... maybe councils should look at relaxing bylaws.''

Sydney's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, is promoting a controversial policy to expand areas where people can let their dogs off the leash.

A doggie matchmaker brought Erskineville woman Megan Rutledge and her standard poodle Roxy together.

''The breeder did personality testing on me and the dog and matched my personality to her, asking questions like 'How will it fit into your family home?''' she said.

Edited January 14, 2010 by lilli

[Steve]

It will be.

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

Problem is tha once its defined they will make laws associated with it.

[casowner]

Hi lilli Do we pass as responsible CASD owners

[Erny]

It will be.

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

Problem is tha once its defined they will make laws associated with it.

Yeah. And hey!! You never know. I might not pass the test. Wonder if that would entail a jail sentence and fine. Or just seize my dog.

[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.

If you do a search on Bennett and her speakers Tammie, Mia, Vanessa etc

you will find most of the material and ethos that will be presented at the seminar.

What makes people responsible owners you will see

all goes back to the dogs temperament and suitability for modern life.

What you will be presetned with at the seminar is a complete menu for the soccal engineering course they would like you to follow.

Psychologist Pauline Bennett is leading a Monash University team in developing a diagnostic tool to match dog breed with owner.

Dr Bennett said research showed that most people loved their dogs ''to bits'' but that was not always the case. ''People buy dogs on the basis of how cute they are as puppies and they don't think about the fact they are going to have to live with them for 15 years,'' she said.

The university's Anthrozoology Research Group, made up of psychologists, veterinarians and zoologists with an interest in canines, has already developed a test.

It assesses the financial cost and emotional and practical downsides of having a dog in the house.

There are questions such as ''How often do you feel that looking after your dog is a chore?'' and ''How often do you tell your dog things you don't tell anyone else?''

The study of 1016 people, by Vanessa Rohlf, a PhD student in psychology, shows the more activities an owner and dog do together, the more responsible the owner is in caring for the pet. ''The more they interacted with their dog, the more likely they were to annually vaccinate their dog and the more likely they were going to groom it,'' Ms Rohlf said. ''A lot of councils tend to restrict areas that people can take their dogs to ... maybe councils should look at relaxing bylaws.''

Sydney's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, is promoting a controversial policy to expand areas where people can let their dogs off the leash.

A doggie matchmaker brought Erskineville woman Megan Rutledge and her standard poodle Roxy together.

''The breeder did personality testing on me and the dog and matched my personality to her, asking questions like 'How will it fit into your family home?''' she said.

Interesting - I interact with my dogs all day every day and I dont vaccinate them yearly as I believe that is not good for them and I have the research to back that up and I chose breeds I dont have to groom too often.

Sometimes I feel looking after them is a chore too just as I do with my kids. OH OH !

[BJean]

Hi lilli Do we pass as responsible CASD owners

No, because I don't pass as a responsible breeder :p

Seriously I am very wary of definitions that try to encompass individuals ..

you know and I know that Jake is in the perfect home for him and that's all that matters

Edited January 14, 2010 by lilli

[BJean]

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.

If you do a search on Bennett and her speakers Tammie, Mia, Vanessa etc

you will find most of the material and ethos that will be presented at the seminar.

What makes people responsible owners you will see

all goes back to the dogs temperament and suitability for modern life.

What you will be presetned with at the seminar is a complete menu for the soccal engineering course they would like you to follow.

Psychologist Pauline Bennett is leading a Monash University team in developing a diagnostic tool to match dog breed with owner.

Dr Bennett said research showed that most people loved their dogs ''to bits'' but that was not always the case. ''People buy dogs on the basis of how cute they are as puppies and they don't think about the fact they are going to have to live with them for 15 years,'' she said.

The university's Anthrozoology Research Group, made up of psychologists, veterinarians and zoologists with an interest in canines, has already developed a test.

It assesses the financial cost and emotional and practical downsides of having a dog in the house.

There are questions such as ''How often do you feel that looking after your dog is a chore?'' and ''How often do you tell your dog things you don't tell anyone else?''

The study of 1016 people, by Vanessa Rohlf, a PhD student in psychology, shows the more activities an owner and dog do together, the more responsible the owner is in caring for the pet. ''The more they interacted with their dog, the more likely they were to annually vaccinate their dog and the more likely they were going to groom it,'' Ms Rohlf said. ''A lot of councils tend to restrict areas that people can take their dogs to ... maybe councils should look at relaxing bylaws.''

Sydney's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, is promoting a controversial policy to expand areas where people can let their dogs off the leash.

A doggie matchmaker brought Erskineville woman Megan Rutledge and her standard poodle Roxy together.

''The breeder did personality testing on me and the dog and matched my personality to her, asking questions like 'How will it fit into your family home?''' she said.

Interesting - I interact with my dogs all day every day and I dont vaccinate them yearly as I believe that is not good for them and I have the research to back that up and I chose breeds I dont have to groom too often.

Sometimes I feel looking after them is a chore too just as I do with my kids. OH OH !

Ah but is your research condoned and conducted by the Animal Wefaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare trailblazers?

I think not Ms Steve!

[Steve]

Hi lilli Do we pass as responsible CASD owners

No, because I don't pass as a responsible breeder :p

Seriously I am very wary of definitions that try to encompass individuals ..

you and I know that Jake is in the perfect home and that's all that matters

Im seriously very wary of labels - especially ones that start out being good ones intended to lift the bar which are promoted to being better for the dog's welfare- whether that be about responsible dog owners or dog rescuers or breeders.

[WreckitWhippet]

A BIG fail for me in the responsibility stakes

[poodlefan]

I just looked up what "responsible" means. Interesting

Answerable for an act performed or for its consequences

So, a responsible dog owner is one who regards themselves as answerable for their dog and what it does. To whom? I'd argue to society generally and the owner's community specifically.

What does that translate to in practical terms? In my view a responsible dog owner is one who:

* selects a dog that is appropriate for the home it will have

* socialises and trains it to be a good canine citizen

* obeys the local laws with regard to keeping and exercising it

* provides husbandry in accordance with the dogs needs

* manages the dog to minimise any negative impact on other members of society.

Lots of variables within those practices but ultimately IMO a responsible dog owner is one who doesn't make it more difficult for other people to own dogs or live in the community with theirs.

Edited January 14, 2010 by poodlefan

[SwaY]

Responsible is getting a breed that fits with your family and lifestyle, and not just something you want.

[Christina]

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?

Exactly, a perfect example.

Similar situation here. 5 roads, isolated area. I used to walk mine but now people leave their gates open, big dogs, a couple roam the area & it is not safe. Dirt roads & dry scrub, snakes likely too.

I do take them for a ride in the car occasionally & a walk in a crowded shopping centre car park, but only if I pop in shop quick & have someone with me. Not safe or advisable to leave tiny dog in car with weather & idiots that are around.

Beach occasionally & local 12k away shops too.

They have huge space at home to run & each other to chase/play & constant company so I don't feel they are missing out or badly treated because they don't get half an hour on a lead. Or that I am a bad owner.

When I lived in the city I had a permit for 5 dogs & used to walk them in turn every day but not practical now.

I do socialise puppies by taking them to shops, nursery centres & crowded places a few times as well as to friends & family homes. Its as much as needed or practical when not fully vaccinated.

Some proposed rules are ridiculous & do not help the dogs who need help at all.

[Law]

But at the same time that isn’t always responsible, it depends on the particular dog and the situation.

For example I know if someone who has a staffy that is out of control and always destroying things in the backyard around the house. I asked the owner if she walks the dog etc she said no I don’t need to he already gets plenty of exercise running around the backyard. To me that is just ridiculous, he needs stimulation, he needs to be able to leave his backyard to sniff around and experience something different. Its not just about exercise but mental stimulation is so important. I think in the case of this person shes just lazy and IMO shouldn’t have a dog.

I also think being a responsible owner is not just about providing adequate food and shelter etc but making sure the dog is happy and has a good quality of life. Also being courteous to other people which means training your dog, having them properly enclosed and controlling them. This also means its your problem if something goes wrong and its your responsibility to fix the problem.

[Christina]

But at the same time that isn’t always responsible, it depends on the particular dog and the situation.

For example I know if someone who has a staffy that is out of control and always destroying things in the backyard around the house. I asked the owner if she walks the dog etc she said no I don’t need to he already gets plenty of exercise running around the backyard.

Almost same with my sister. Her rescue staffy cross does the same & is driving her crazy. Got a as a pup, now 8 months.

The dog gets walked daily, off leash run for miles. People home a lot & many visitors. So what is 100% perfect for every dog.

ETA mine never behave like that.

[Law]

Exactly, no two dogs are the same, everyone has different needs and different thing work for different dogs. Which really shows that this idea of the RSPCA's is ridiculous apart from that how would they govern it??

[Aidan]

I'm really only concerned that my dogs have as much health and happiness as I am able to provide while living a normal life. I understand that I only have so much control over these things, and that compromise is necessary in some areas.

I'm not sure that anything a responsible owner does can be quantified except to set a minimum standard of care. The rest must come from conscience.

[Christina]

I'm really only concerned that my dogs have as much health and happiness as I am able to provide while living a normal life. I understand that I only have so much control over these things, and that compromise is necessary in some areas.

I'm not sure that anything a responsible owner does can be quantified except to set a minimum standard of care. The rest must come from conscience.

That is the shortest, most common sense post

I only hope that the powers to be see the subject the same way & the do gooders, who sometimes don't even have a dog, do too. We are supposed to be a democratic country, its becoming more like communist Australia with every stupid new rule.

[kingsfolly]

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?

Steve, I hope you're attending the "Building better dogs" seminar at Monash University (the invite is on another thread). I am sure you will be interested in listening to Vanessa Rohlf's talk on "What makes people responsible owners?" Vanessa would be more than happy to discuss with you her research and this could open the doors to future collaborations with our organisations.

Regards,

Tammie

[Erny]

Steve, I hope you're attending the "Building better dogs" seminar at Monash University (the invite is on another thread). I am sure you will be interested in listening to Vanessa Rohlf's talk on "What makes people responsible owners?" Vanessa would be more than happy to discuss with you her research and this could open the doors to future collaborations with our organisations.

Tammie, I too will be at the seminar and I'll be curious to know how Vanessa's research has managed to pidgeon hole people into a category labelled "responsible" when there are so many variations and scenarios to take into account.

I do worry though that so much focus (energy, time and money) is being given to do that. IE Pidgeon hole people. Pidgeon hole dogs. For all scenarios. For all environments. For all circumstances.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Erny

[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?

Steve, I hope you're attending the "Building better dogs" seminar at Monash University (the invite is on another thread). I am sure you will be interested in listening to Vanessa Rohlf's talk on "What makes people responsible owners?" Vanessa would be more than happy to discuss with you her research and this could open the doors to future collaborations with our organisations.

Regards,

Tammie

It was Tammie's research coupled with some recent media events which made me consider the same questions. Yes I will be attending and Yes I am looking forward to speaking with her about this.Im very interested in how she went about narrowing it down.

There are several issues in this line we are involved in because of the programs we are developing for pet owners.