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5. ALWAYS clean up the poop when out for walks. Carry a pooper scooper and put it in a plastic bag for proper disposal later. To me, there are very few things nastier on the face of this earth than stepping in some other dog’s crap IN YOUR OWN YARD! Lazy, trifling owners who allow this should get a minimum of 30 days in jail.
6 Deworm your dog as necessary year-round. This is a serious problem, even in cold climates in winter. Keep them treated with the meds your vet recommends, on his/her recommended schedule.
7. Give your buddy a balanced, high-quality diet, as natural as possible, and continuous fresh pure water.
8. Get adequate insurance. This can include pet health types for your own benefit, but make absolutely sure to include homeowners and liability insurance. Any dog will bite – repeat, any dog can (and WILL) bite. Protect yourself and your belongings with insurance. ‘Cause if YOUR dog bites someone, the law WILL lean heavily in the victim’s favor, regardless of circumstances. So don’t take a chance of losing it all!
9. Do not let your dog jump up on people or charge other animals. You have no right to complain if somebody uses a pepper or mace spray on your dog if you let him run loose. Once again, like it or not, the law favors the victim.
10. The biggest point – simply respect the rights and opinions of others. Not all people love dogs like we do. Matter of fact, some despise dogs, for legitimate reasons. Whether you like it or not, they too have the right to peacefully walking around or being outside as they please, poop-free yards, and quiet enjoyment of their own property without having to feel afraid of, or listen to dogs with rude, idiot owners.
If you are not willing to live up to these responsibilities and more, do your neighborhood and some poor dog a HUGE favor: DON’T get the dog!!
NOTE: Feel free to copy this article and slip it under some idiot owner’s door!!!!
Lora
says:I wish I’d had this article a few months ago. We live in an apartment and the neighbors – otherwise LOVELY people – got a dog for Christmas. It will be a larger dog and our dog is small. They allowed theirs (while they had it, the apt manager made them get rid of it – seems she had approved a small dog only) to run loose all hours of the day. I was always worried that she’s run into the street (a major roadway) and be killed. My only “issue” with the article is # 5. I don’t think they (non-complying owners) should be jailed, I think that they should be REQUIRED to police their county for a year – picking up -bare handed – the result of other non-compliant dog owners!!!! That way they get a REAL FEEL for what it’s like to step in THEIR DOGS trace!!!!
Scout
says:I also did not like the tone of this article, though for somewhat different reasons. The majority of it has good information, but the EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! and LOLs diminished it, as they do in most communications. Ditch the drama. Focus on the issue. Please.
Amanda Witter Enriquez
says:The disrespectful language outshines the remarks. I will not be sharing this. It is rude.
Cheryl
says:I really didn’t see anything that was rude or disrespectful of other people. But I DO think that other people that don’t follow this rules ARE RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL. It’s really easy to be a respectful dog owner and anyone that has a problem with that IS and idiot that doesn’t deserve to have dogs. It’s just not that difficult to do.
melody hintergardt
says:I had a St. Bernard named Maggie a few years ago who was a novalty. I had to lock my gates to keep the neighbor kids out which was not right. Yes, I knew the laws & went beyond but the kids even after talking to their parents would sneak in to play with her. Maggie was great with them but like you say, every dig can bite.
I agree only I do think the tone of this article is sharp, i.e., “rude, idiot dog owners”, “slip it under some idiot owner’s door!!!!” LOL It is so important to pick up the poop (and so damned easy, too). There are so many dogs around and if I didn’t pick up after my one dog where we walk regularly in our park, his poop alone would be enough to fill the back of the pick up truck in a matter of months. And it spreads germs to other animals who walk there including your own babies (furry or otherwise). Also, Yes Walk Your Dogs!!! They all are related to the Wolf. Wolves can travel up to 200 miles in one single day. All dogs must have regular walks so that they will be balanced and happy and healthy. Same goes for us, too. And there is nothing better than adopting a wonderful companion, best friend for life, saving my own life—loving my babies. Thanks for putting out the good word. 😉 <3