Owning a dog is rewarding but it also comes with its responsibilities to both your dog and to society as a whole.

Take a look at the list below and see if you are a responsible dog owner!

A responsible dog owner will:

• Realise that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment and that many dogs live for over 16 years.
• Understand what is involved in owning a dog before purchasing their dog.
• Socialise their new puppy with other dogs, people and situations while it is still very young ensuring that their dog has good social skills.
• Train their dog so that it will come back when called, not jump up at people, and so that it will walk with the owner, not pulling the owner along!
• Ensure their dog has a suitable diet for its size, age and activity levels.
• Ensure their dog has a fresh, clean supply of water.
• Ensure their dog has sufficient exercise.
• Ensure the dog is registered with a vet and sees the vet at least once a year.
• Take their dog to the vet as soon as possible if the dog is unwell.
• When walking their dog along the public highway do so with their dog on a fixed (not flexi) lead so that they have complete control of their dog.
• If the dog fouls in any public place, ensure that they pick up after their dog and dispose of the waste in a safe way (using dog bins where possible).
• Realise that no matter how cute their dog is, some people do not like dogs, so they will not allow their dog to harass people.
• Ensure that their dog has a collar with a legal ID tag fixed to it. In the UK a dog must wear a tag with the owners name and address on it.
• When out in the countryside, obey the Country Code and ensure that their dog is on the lead when near livestock.