Canton, Georgia – As part of its ongoing mission to enhance the human-canine bond and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs, Home Dog Training of Georgia, has issued a Dog Owner’s Pledge that can help families decide whether or not they are truly ready for dog ownership.
“Too many times, families don’t understand the full commitment they are making by bringing a dog into their household,” said Robin Edwards, Home Dog Training of Georgia dog behavioral therapist and trainer. “Dogs are completely dependent on their owners for their physical, mental and emotional health, and while dog ownership often brings a lot of joy, providing the care dogs need can be costly and time-consuming.”
To help families who are considering adding a dog to their household, the Bark Busters Dog Owner’s Pledge outlines a variety of needs that potential owners should be able to commit to meeting-before they fall in love with that irresistible “puppy in the window” at a local rescue, shelter or breeder.
“What we hope this pledge will do is encourage families to have these conversations early in the decision-making process,” said Edwards. “Often, dogs are given up to shelters because it was not decided in advance how the new pet’s health care would be paid for, what training and entertainment would be provided, or even who would take the dog out to toilet late at night.”
The pledge consists of four key areas, with sub-points for each, beginning with the statement, “We will be responsible for our dog’s”: 1) health and well-being (veterinary care, food and water, daily exercise); 2) safety (restraint laws, identification, training); 3) quality of life (shelter, entertainment); and 4) actions (reproduction, nuisance behaviors, waste disposal).
“When families are fully prepared for the commitment of dog ownership-and take into account things like age, activity level, and size when choosing a dog-they are much more likely to enjoy a long-lasting relationship and a strong human-canine bond,” said Edwards. “Part of our mission as trainers and advocates for the dogs in our community is to help ensure that families keep dogs in loving homes, and we believe that getting out the message that dog ownership is not a right, but a privilege that comes with many responsibilities, is an important component of our public service.”
Canton, Georgia – As part of its ongoing mission to enhance the human-canine bond and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs, Home Dog Training of Georgia, has issued a Dog Owner’s Pledge that can help families decide whether or not they are truly ready for dog ownership.
“Too many times, families don’t understand the full commitment they are making by bringing a dog into their household,” said Robin Edwards, Home Dog Training of Georgia dog behavioral therapist and trainer. “Dogs are completely dependent on their owners for their physical, mental and emotional health, and while dog ownership often brings a lot of joy, providing the care dogs need can be costly and time-consuming.”
To help families who are considering adding a dog to their household, the Bark Busters Dog Owner’s Pledge outlines a variety of needs that potential owners should be able to commit to meeting-before they fall in love with that irresistible “puppy in the window” at a local rescue, shelter or breeder.
“What we hope this pledge will do is encourage families to have these conversations early in the decision-making process,” said Edwards. “Often, dogs are given up to shelters because it was not decided in advance how the new pet’s health care would be paid for, what training and entertainment would be provided, or even who would take the dog out to toilet late at night.”
The pledge consists of four key areas, with sub-points for each, beginning with the statement, “We will be responsible for our dog’s”: 1) health and well-being (veterinary care, food and water, daily exercise); 2) safety (restraint laws, identification, training); 3) quality of life (shelter, entertainment); and 4) actions (reproduction, nuisance behaviors, waste disposal).
“When families are fully prepared for the commitment of dog ownership-and take into account things like age, activity level, and size when choosing a dog-they are much more likely to enjoy a long-lasting relationship and a strong human-canine bond,” said Edwards. “Part of our mission as trainers and advocates for the dogs in our community is to help ensure that families keep dogs in loving homes, and we believe that getting out the message that dog ownership is not a right, but a privilege that comes with many responsibilities, is an important component of our public service.”
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