Responsible Dog Ownership

Keeping dogs as pets can be fun, but there's a responsibility that comes with it. It can be said that it's similar to having a child. Most often than not, people see a dog/puppy that is cute or due to a recent dog 'craze', they get influenced and just simply bring home that cute bundle.

Very often, first time owners are in for a shock when they realize that there's more than just playing with that cute bundle they brought home. And most often, they end up giving away the dog, or simply abandon it, just because they cannot handle the responsibility that comes along with keeping a dog.

Sure, it seems simple enough:

• buy dog
• train dog
• feed dog
• groom dog
• walk dog

At least, it seems simple enough. What most first time owners forget to factor in is the time consumed to look after a dog and the effort that cones along with it. As a result, when the going gets tough, it's the dog that gets going. It's good if the owners managed to find a good home for the dog, but what is unforgivable is when some owners simply abandon their dog, leaving it to fend for itself in the harsh elements.

There's nothing wrong in having had no prior experience with dogs, but getting the right breed that suits your lifestyle is extremely important, and would make life easier for you and the dog. For example, for a person that's hardly home and lives alone, it's not advisable to go get yourself a golden retriever which requires long walks, grooming and attention. It'll be a torture for the poor dog, an for you when you come home to a very badly chewed up home.

If you decide to get a dog, that doesn't mean that you need to get a cute and cuddly puppy, let alone go buy one. The are many options. You need to know what you are getting yourself into and the amount of effort you are wiling to put in. A pet after all, is for (its) life you know...