Owning and caring for a dog is great fun and very rewarding, but it is also a big responsibility and requires a long-term caring and financial commitment.  Did you know:-

♦ the lifetime cost of owning a dog can be between £16K – £31K (this cost is estimated by the PDSA and does not include veterinary costs for sick or injured animals, so the figures could in fact be much higher). The average dog lives for 12-14 years, so do your sums
♦ the average cost to purchase a dog is £215
♦ dogs should only be let out in the garden on their own if you know for certain that the area is secure.
♦ whilst in public places, dogs should always wear a collar detailing the owners name and address on it. When walking your dog it should always be on a short lead
♦ it is also strongly recommended that your dog should be micro chipped as this is a permanent way to identify your dog if it ever goes missing
♦ as a responsible owner it is important that you understand the correct amount of training, exercise and grooming your chosen breed requires.  If you cannot make the recommended commitment then you should think twice about getting the dog
♦ if you have difficulty training your dog on any specific issue, you should consider taking your dog to training classes or getting an animal behaviourist in.  As the owner, it is your responsibility to ensure you have proper control of your dog at all times
♦ under no circumstances should you use physical violence against your dog. Dogs learn ‘good’ behaviour through consistent encouragement and reward
♦ dogs should not be left alone for long periods of time if at all possible.   Leaving dogs alone on a regular basis for long periods of time can encourage unwanted behavioural characteristics such as excessive barking
♦ most local councils have by-laws regarding the removal and disposal of faecal deposits in public places. As a responsible pet owner you must comply with this
♦ if you have a puppy consideration has to be given to the socialization of the pup
♦ your dog MUST be registered with a reputable vet
♦ if your dog becomes ill or gets injured, it can be very expensive so consider getting your dog insured
♦ you must NEVER leave a dog in a car, even on cloudy days as the temperature in a car can prove fatal to dogs
♦ owners are obliged to ensure that their pets receive all the health services recommended for them and should practice preventive health by being aware of all aspects of their dog’s health such as genetic factors, its history, age, oral health, nutrition and the environment

How to meet the five welfare needs of a dog

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