Basics of responsible dog ownership:
1) Commit for the Long Haul
When you get a dog, it is not like getting a stuffed animal. When your dog misbehaves, you can’t just get rid of it. If it gets sick, it is your job to help it get well. If you decide to move, your dog should be part of the family and move with you. When you decided to get your dog, you were committing to loving care for as much as 12 to 15 years or more. This means doing everything possible to keep your dog and care for it.
2) Make Time for Your Dog
The initial bond with your dog is built during the first few weeks to months of ownership, but maintaining this bond is a lifelong process. Remember that while you are at work, out with friends, or running errands, your dog is usually just waiting for you to come home. Make time each day to spend with your dog, whether it’s for play, exercise, grooming, or just snuggling.
3) Provide Proper Identification
Your dog should wear a collar with a current identification tag that includes your name, phone number, a back-up number, town-issued license, and rabies tag.
As an added layer of protection considers microchipping your dog. Proper identification can help you become reunited with your dog if lost rather than letting your dog become one more homeless pet in an overcrowded shelter. Too many dogs wear collars without identification or tags. Don’t let your dog become a statistic.
4) Don’t be an irresponsible breeder
If you choose to breed your dog, be sure to follow the proper protocols. Your dog should be a quality, healthy purebred with no congenital or hereditary problems. Educate yourself about breeding standards, become involved with a network of responsible breeders and find a veterinarian who can be involved along the way. Reputable breeders have years of experience and education. Dog breeding is not just a job, a business, or a casual hobby. It’s a way of life.
5) Keep Your Dog Healthy
Provide plenty of fresh drinking water and an appropriate amount of food for your dog. A place of shelter and comfort is also important for your dog’s wellbeing, and exercise is a must. Regular visits to your veterinarian are essential because they can help you prevent serious health problems and detect minor issues before they become severe.
6) Train Your Dog
A well-behaved and properly socialized dog is less likely to upset people and pets in public places and will be more welcome at gatherings. If your dog’s misbehavior results in any sort of accident, injury or similar incident, you must take full responsibility for that behavior.
Training your dog
A well-behaved dog is a pleasure to be around. Regardless of whether your new dog is a puppy or an adult, enrolling in a training program helps to build a foundation and helps to get your relationship with your dog off to a good start.
The AKC has developed some basic training programs that will help you and your dog get off to a good start. We recommend the AKC’s Puppy Star program for puppies or any of the puppy training classes offered by our Member Clubs. For your new dogs, even if they come knowing some basic commands, we recommend starting with a beginner obedience class through one of our Member clubs or an AKC canine good citizen class. These classes will teach you how to train your dog, enhance your relationship with your dog, develop the means for effective communication and provide a foundation for any further training/activities you would like to engage in with your dog.
7) Respect Others
This may seem like common sense to some of us, but there are still dog owners out there who do not seem to understand. Please help give dog owners a good name by following these rules:
· Keep your dog on a leash or in a fenced-in yard when outdoors. Even if you live where it is legal to allow your dog off-leash, you should supervise it at all times. Do not let it wander the neighborhood or get out of your sight.
· Pick up after your dog. No one wants to step in or smell that “gift” your dog left behind. Please pick it up right away and dispose of it properly. For convenience, try a bag dispenser that attaches to your dog’s leash.
· Do not leave a barking dog outdoors. Continuous barking is not only unfair to your dog, but it is also rude and annoying to neighbors.
8) Know and obey the dog laws
Annual or 3-year dog license. (Registration tag) current rabies certificate required (rabies tag).
https://www.nj.gov/health/vph/animal-control/its-the-law/
NJ consolidated dog laws
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/nj-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws
Traveling with your dog:
Other states may have different leash laws
https://www.edgarsnyder.com/dog-bite/leash-laws/