Owning a dog can be both a pleasurable experience and beneficial to our health and wellbeing. Dogs offer companionship, comfort and an incentive to exercise, all of which have a positive effect on our physical and mental health.
To ensure that your ownership and care of a dog does not have a detrimental impact on the local community, please follow our guidance.
Remember these 10 points
1. Train your dog the basic commands |
2. Keep your dog on a lead near roads or where there are other animals e.g. a field with sheep. |
3. Make sure your dog has a collar and tag,and is microchipped. This is a legal requirement. |
4. Train your dog to 'go to the toilet at home.' |
5. Make sure your garden is securely fenced. |
6. Always carry a bag, seal it and bin it in any bin. |
7. Don't allow your dog to bark unnecessarily. |
8. Do not leave your dog alone for long periods of time. |
9. Keep your dog healthy - diet,water,exercise,vets - follow the 5 Freedoms. |
10.Neuter your dog for health benefits. |
Things to consider before owning a dog
Having considered the legal and caring responsibilities you will have as a dog owner, you may also want to consider the following before getting a dog:
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Think it through first; do not get a dog on the spur of the moment.
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If you rent your property you need to check your tenancy agreement to see whether you are allowed any pets.
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Are you able to give a dog the sort of healthy lifestyle it needs? For example a top floor flat is probably not a good home for a German Shepherd Dog.
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Can you afford vaccinations, and ongoing veterinary treatment? It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act, to not provide necessary veterinary treatment.
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Can you afford to provide a good diet for the dog?
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Will your dog be left for long periods of time? Most dogs are not happy being left for hours on their own.
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Are you able to give the dog enough exercise? If you can’t walk a dog at least daily, then don’t get one.
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Are you able to ensure the dog has basic training? It is useful to ensure that you are able to call the dog back.
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You will need to be considerate to others around you by not letting your dog become a nuisance. This means ensuring it does not bark unnecessarily, stray or foul.