Responsible Ownership

What all dog owners should know

Owning a dog can bring great happiness but is also a lifelong responsibility to the dog. You will need to care for him properly and responsibly including staying within the law. This leaflet gives some essential tips to current and prospective dog owners.

Deciding to get a dog

Before getting a dog, consider the following:

Lifestyle: Do you have the time, suitable accommodation and willingness to care properly for a dog?

Environment: Are there facilities nearby for exercising your dog?

Budget: Dogs need a nutritionally balanced diet and will have to visit the vet for vaccinations and possible emergencies. Can your budget cope with these extra costs?

Healthy Dogs are Happy Dogs

Don’t wait for an emergency - REGISTER WITH A LOCAL VET!

Vaccinations and Worming

Every Dog should be protected against potentially fatal diseases.

• First vaccinations are given at about 9 weeks, puppies should not be allowed in the street or mix with other animals until your vet advises.
• Always keep your dog’s vaccination certificates. You may need them in the future, for putting your dog into kennels.
• Regular booster vaccinations are necessary, at least once a year.
• Roundworms and tapeworms can affect dogs at any age. Worms can cause sickness and diarrhoea in young animals, but adult dogs may show no signs.
• Worming is easy, effective and costs little, using a worming preparation obtained from your pharmacist, vet or pet shop. Follow the instructions carefully.
• Adult dogs should be wormed at least every 6 months. Young puppies should be wormed at regular intervals until they are at least 6 months old. Always seek advice from your vet before worming your puppy.

Grooming

It is important to keep your dog clean by grooming at least twice a week (depending on type of coat) and bathing regularly. Start at puppy stage so it becomes a pleasure and not a chore.

Fleas

If your dog gets fleas treat him with a reliable spray, dusting powder, or wash. Also treat the areas your dog uses and sleeps in.

Neutering

Unless you are sure that you want your bitch to have puppies and can find good homes for them, you should have her spayed. Your vet will also be able to give you details on hormonal control of seasons. Discuss with your vet whether your dog should be neutered.

Training

Your dog must not injure anyone or frighten anyone into thinking that they might be injured, it is an offence to let your dog behave in this manner. As this could be deemed as being out of control.

To gain the maximum benefits from training, it should start whilst the dog is a puppy, although it is never too late to begin training, an older dog and puppies will benefit from professional help from training classes.

Dogs and the Law

Dog owners and non-dog owners have a right to live side by side. There are however, several rules, which should be followed. Most are straightforward and many are concerned with safeguarding the environment – for the benefit of everybody.

All dogs must wear a collar and clearly displayed tag. The tag must bear the name & address of the dog’s owner.

Fouling

Allowing your dog to foul in a public place and failing to clear it up is an offence. There is a leaflet on the subject of fouling

Dangerous Dogs

Dogs bred for fighting, such as pit bull terriers, must be kept on a lead by someone who is 16 or over and the dog must be muzzled in public. No one may keep these breeds without registering them without registering them with the Police.

Stray Dogs

You must keep your dog under control at all times. Make sure you know the telephone number for the Local Council, so that you can contact the dog warden service should your dog go missing. The Local Council has the responsibility to collect strays and will charge you for kennelling a dog, so act quickly to ensure that you do not encounter unnecessary expense. If a dog is not claimed within 7 days the Council has the right to find the stray a new home or destroy the dog.

Countryside code

Dogs must NEVER worry livestock – the farmer is entitled to kill your dog if it is worrying his livestock. Allowing your dog to walk off the lead in the same field as livestock could be considered as '‘worrying".

Penalties

Penalties for breaking the dog rules can be tough and in extreme cases may allow for the destruction of the dog. The courts and the police have a range of powers to deal with offenders. For example, owners who allow their dogs to get dangerously out of control - can be imprisoned for up to 6 months and/or fined up to £5000.

14 Basic Tips for responsible dog ownership

1. Train your dog in basic obedience.
2. Feed your dog with a nutritionally balanced diet.
3. Feed your dog from his own dish.
4. Keep your dog on a lead anywhere near a road, or where there are any other animals.
5. Train your dog not to foul in public places – if it does pick it up.
6. Remember your dog’s bark can be a nuisance to others
7. Provide your dog with his own bed
8. Never take your dog into a food shop – always tie it’s lead to a post or tethering ring.
9. Keep your dog clean and regularly groomed.
10. If you don’t want your dog to have puppies, seek advice from your vet.
11. Make sure that anyone caring for your dog in your absence, knows the Council’s number, should the dog stray.
12. Register your dog with a vet.
13. Microchip your dog to ensure that you can prove ownership.
14. Inoculate your dog against disease.