77 Tips To Be A Responsible Dog Owner

Sandra S. Ashley
Last Updated On: December 7, 2022
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Bringing home a new puppy is exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking, especially if it is your first dog.

While there are so many things to consider, such as the type of dog food it will eat and how many chew toys it needs, there is so much more to think about in order to be a responsible dog owner.

Being a responsible dog owner is necessary for not only keeping your own puppy safe but everyone else around you, as well.

I have put together the ultimate guide of 77 tips to be a responsible dog owner because I feel that it is a topic not discussed enough.

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Prepare To Be A Responsible Dog Owner

A responsible dog owner does several important things prior to bringing home their sweet pup.

I suggest thinking of it like bringing a baby home, there are many things you must do to make the home a safe and comfortable environment for him or her.

Create a list of all the necessary items and take a trip to the pet store to speak with a worker who can help you find all the items you need.

Remember, there will be things you may forget and that is ok! This is a big step in your life so have patience.

To help you out, I am going to let you know what exactly you should prepare.

#1 Understand The Commitment

Dogs are not a pet you bring home unless you are financially and emotionally ready.

Typically, a dog will live to be between 10-15 years of age – maybe longer!

It is important to ask yourself: am I ready?

When you bring home your sweet, cuddly puppy it should be for as long as they live.

Puppies grow to become attached to their owners and it is not fair if you give them away because you realize you are not ready after a couple of days of bringing them home.

#2 Evaluate Your Lifestyle

The idea of having a cute companion to take out for walks and throw the ball around is lovely, but does it match your lifestyle?

Are you able to provide it with the attention it needs and make it a true part of your family?

Often times, busy people who work lots and have little playtime find it difficult to comfortably own a dog.

Dogs need adequate attention and love to thrive.

#3 Create A List

Writing a check-list of everything you will need for your dog is a great way to organize your life before you bring him or her home.

For example, find a good vet, invest in a harness for travelling in the car, select a quality dog food, and create a dog tag with all the important information on it (your cell phone number, address, and dog’s name).

#4 Choose A Breed

There are roughly 339 dog breeds, which one is right for you? Well, in order to answer this question, you must consider several important things.

For example, your lifestyle, area you reside in, type of home you live in, and your family.

Larger breeds like St. Bernard’s and the Pyrenees are working dogs that need room to roam.

Whereas, small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers or Pugs don’t require much room and love constant attention from their owners.

Always do your research about a breed before bringing one home, and it is also a great idea to speak with individuals who own a dog of your interest.

There is nothing wrong with taking your time to find the perfect match.

#5 Get Referrals To Responsible Breeders

Asking friends, family, and posting online is a great way to find responsible breeders.

You do not want to purchase a puppy from a puppy mill or an irresponsible breeder.

A quality breeder breeds quality puppies – remember that!

A few things to keep in mind when visiting a breeder are to take notice of the premises (is it clean and comfortable?), the mom and dad (always ask to meet them), and how the breeder treats the puppies and parents.

#6 Contact Breeders

Emailing or calling a list of breeders is the perfect way to keep your options open.

Most breeders will have contact information or a website you can contact them through.

It does not hurt to have several meetings with different breeders in order to make a clear decision about what puppy is best for your lifestyle.

#7 Ask Questions

Always ask questions and never feel like you are asking too many!

It is your right as a customer to ask questions to ensure you are making a good decision.

Here are some essential questions you should ask:

Are the parents certified?
What is the breed’s temperament like and how are the parents?
Can I meet the parents?
Did the parents have a health check from a vet?
Have the puppies been dewormed and are vaccinated?

If your breeder is unsure of any of these questions, then it is best to move on.

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#8 Consider An Older Dog

Older dogs need just as much love as a playful puppy.

The sad truth is a lot of older dogs sit in animal shelters and live their last years without a true home and love from a family.

Consider taking a trip to your local animal shelter and meet some of their senior dogs.

You might be surprised to see that these older dogs have a lot of love and life left in them!

#9 Expect Questions

Whenever you go to purchase or adopt a dog, you will be asked many questions.

Never take offense to this and assume the breeder or animal shelter workers think you are shady or irresponsible.

They are only ensuring that the dog is going to the right home and a loving family or owner.

Always do your best to answer the questions as best as possible and present yourself in a polite manner.

Additionally, it is also the perfect time to ask them questions afterward!

#10 Prepare To Wait For The Perfect Dog

You will not always find the perfect match right away. Some people wait for years to find their furry friends!

Be patient and know that the right dog will come your way.

However, it is important to not stop looking either. If you are interested in adopting, leave your name and number at the shelter, and make frequent visits.

On the other side of things, if you are purchasing from a breeder, let them know you are interested in the next litter if you missed out on the previous one.

#11 Skip The Holidays

The holidays seem to be a popular time for people to adopt or buy a dog.

While this is a festive and exciting time of year, it is not the best time to bring home a puppy or adult dog.

Bringing them home during a chaotic or busy time of year will only result in frustration and mixed feelings about the decision on your part.

Wait until after the holidays when life is back to a normal routine.

Commit To Dog Ownership

Dogs are family. Therefore, it is important that you commit to ownership and provide your puppy with the best life possible.

Even when the early morning walks or late-night clean-ups feel tiring, remember that your dog depends on you and loves you.

It is important that you commit to your dog and all its needs before you bring him or her home.

#12 Choose Your Dog

When you visit a breeder and decide that the breed is a match for you, it is important to pick a puppy from the litter.

Spend some time holding and playing with the puppies to see which one you like most. It will be hard!

However, once you find your puppy you must let the breeder know so they can ID it.

Most breeders put a ribbon on the collar to mark the puppies to their owners.

#13 Get It In Writing

Always have the breeder write down or sign a document that states you have selected a puppy.

This is especially important if you have put down a deposit on the dog. It also doesn’t hurt for you to obtain a copy of the agreement.

#14 Get Your Papers

After paying for your puppy and getting ready to bring it home, you should leave the breeder’s place with some important paperwork.

One of the papers should be a receipt of payment, another paper should state information about the dog and whether it is a purebred or certified, and the next one should be vaccination or de-worming papers.

There may be other papers the breeder gives you, and these should all be put somewhere safe.

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#15 Register Your Dog

Cities all have different ways of going to register your dog. Always check to see what is needed and requirements in your area.

If you plan on micro-chipping your dog, ensure it is registered!

On a side note, if you microchip your dog, it is important to always keep an updated address connected with it.

Get Ready To Bring Your New Dog Home

Before leaving the house to pick up your puppy, ensure you have the essentials ready.

For instance, fresh bowl of water, puppy bed, pee pads or a designated area to take your dog out from, leash, collar, ID tags, chew toys, puppy gates, and remove anything hazardous to your puppy.

#16 Buy The Necessities

There are some essential things your puppy will need once he or she is home.

Fresh drinking water, quality puppy food, treats, collar and leash, ID tags, toys, and a comfortable sleeping area are all important.

If you are unsure of where to start, go to a pet store and ask for some help.

#17 Buy Dog Toys

Toys are great for stimulation and to keep the puppy busy.

The last thing you want is for your puppy to chew on your couch or clothes because they have no toys and are bored.

Buy proper teething toys for your puppy and ensure you show them where they are.

It is helpful to get down on the ground with your puppy and show them the toys.

Remember, your puppy may not know what they are and be intimidated by them.

#18 Make A Schedule

Routine, routine, routine! Have I said routine?

Creating a schedule for bathroom breaks and eating times will make your life and your furry friend’s life so much easier.

For a starting point, take him or her out once in the morning and once at night, as well as feeding breakfast and dinner.

These things can easily be done before and after work, and your puppy will become more comfortable in the home with a set schedule.

#19 Dog-Proof Your House

Do a thorough check before bringing home your puppy that your house is a safe environment.

For instance, put away any medications that can easily fall on the floor or are easy to access, move plants that are hazardous, cover cords, put away garbage, and put up puppy gates where needed.

It may seem silly, but it is helpful to get down on your hands and knees and crawl around like a puppy.

What this does is it allows you to see everything from the eye-level of a puppy and what is easy to get in to.

#20 Containment Policy

Not every room in the house will be safe for your puppy to enter, and that is ok!

Just be sure to practice allowing your puppy to go into rooms they are safe to enter.

And, if they start to head for a room that is off-limits, be sure to firmly but kindly correct them. After a while, they will get the hint.

It is ok to have rooms that are not welcome for the puppy to go in, as long as they have adequate space elsewhere.

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#21 Make A Bed

Just like humans, dogs love to be comfy too. Pet stores sell a variety of dog beds for different size of breeds.

Alternatively, you can make a cozy spot for your dog by laying several soft, puffy blankets on the ground, perhaps even a pillow.

This is also the time to decide whether or not you will allow your puppy to sleep in the bed with you.

#22 Select A Veterinarian

The best way to find a good veterinarian is to read reviews and speak to other pet owners in person.

You want a veterinarian that does not see you as just another patient, but one who sees you and your puppy as an important client.

When you bring home your puppy, you can take it for a visit or consultation with the veterinarian to get a feel regarding whether or not it will be a good match for you.

Bring Your Dog Home

The car ride home may be intimidating for your puppy. It probably has never been in a car before, unless going to the vet to get dewormed or vaccinated.

Be sure to have a crate or blankets for it to lay on, and keep it near you so that it feels comforted.

On a side note, try not to drive to fast or turn corners to quickly, as small things like this could cause it to become scared.

Remember, everything is new for your puppy!

#23 Let Your Dog Adjust

It may seem tempting to excite your dog with all its new surroundings. However, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm it.

While you don’t want to ignore him or her, you definitely want to let them have a little bit of breathing space!

Let it wander and find a comfy spot to lay on the floor.

Your puppy maybe a little scared in its new home and would benefit from having a little monitored alone time.

It will take a few days before your puppy is comfortable.

#24 Name Your Dog

The sooner you pick a name for your dog the better because he or she will start to identify with it.

This is especially important if you decide to take your dog to an off-leash park where it will need to learn basic recall. Also, a name should go on your dog’s ID tag.

Once you have a name for your puppy, practice calling it and rewarding with a treat every time he or she responds.

#25 Make Introductions

Whether you have a large family or other pets in the house, it is important to make introductions.

Be patient and do not overwhelm the puppy, but make sure to introduce him or her early on.

#26 Introduce Other Pets

You can do this on your own or have a dog trainer help you.

It is essential to introduce your dog to other pets so that it can establish a good relationship with them.

While it may take a while at first, a consistent introduction will pay off in the end.

#27 Housetrain

Designate an area for your puppy to go to when he or she needs to use the bathroom. For example, it could be a back door or gate.

Moreover, you will want to make sure you provide regular bathroom breaks at specific times of day.

#28 Set House Rules

You will have to create a list of house rules for your puppy.

Your list could look like the following: no eating table scraps, the puppy will sleep in my bed, the puppy will go out at 6 am and 6 pm for bathroom breaks, the puppy will not jump up on guests.

Simple rules like this are important to decide on so that your puppy has the best chance at adopting a good behavior as it grows to be an adult.

Keep Your Dog Healthy

In order to give your puppy the best life, it will need several important things to be healthy.

For instance, freshwater, good quality food, and lots of exercise.

#29 Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Regular check-ups at the vet will not only help your puppy become more comfortable when visiting the clinic, but it will also give it a consistent health examination.

Your vet will be able to let you know how your puppy is growing and if you need to make any changes to its dietary or exercise routine.

#30 Feed Them A Healthy Diet

Puppies need healthy food in order to grow big and strong. The food you feed your dog ultimately depends on your budget and availability at your pet food store.

Always read the ingredients on the back of any bag of food and if you struggle to pronounce any words or it looks a bit off, find a different food!

It is also a good idea to ask workers at a pet store or speak with your vet, as there is raw food, grain-free, soft food, and even freeze-dried food.

Your puppy may try a food that it doesn’t like, so always ensure you are taking note of what it enjoys and what it does not.

#31 Exercise

Regular exercise is a must for puppies and adult dogs. Set up a routine that gets your dog outside for at least 60 minutes a day, depending on its breed.

If your puppy is introduced to frequent activity as a pup, it will be more open to it as it becomes an adult.

Plus, exercise is great for its heart, hips, and weight control.

#32 Vaccinate

Vaccinating your dog should be done on a regular schedule that your vet can provide you with.

It is important to not miss any vaccinations, as doing so may result in your dog catching something avoidable.

Vaccinating keeps your dog and other dogs around it safe and healthy.

#33 Prevent Disease

Ensuring your puppy has healthy food, freshwater, plenty of exercise, regular grooming, and supplements if needed, will help prevent it from developing diseases.

It is especially important to check if your puppy’s breed is susceptible to developing certain diseases, as you can begin to develop a prevention method for him or her.

#34 Repel Fleas And Ticks

Any dog is susceptible to getting fleas or ticks. Speaking with a veterinarian about medication can ensure your puppy does not catch any.

#35 Know Your Dog’s Patterns

Every dog has its own pattern, and getting to know these is what makes a responsible dog owner.

Additionally, knowing patterns can help you notice if he or she is not feeling well or is bothered by something.

#36 Bathe Your Dog Regularly

Dogs like to be clean just as much as they like to roll around in the mud.

Therefore, giving it a bath with dog shampoo regularly will help keep it feeling amazing.

Start bathing it when it is a puppy to establish a positive bath time routine

If playing dog groomer is not your thing, take it to a groomer once a month for a bath and teeth cleaning.

#37 Groom Your Dog

There are groomers all over the place who love to bathe your dog, so why not let them do the dirty work?

For a small price, they will scrub down your pup, clean its ears, brush its teeth, and trim its nails.

All of these things make for a happy dog and owner!

#38 Clip Those Nails

Can you imagine having super long nails and trying to do things comfortably?

It would be pretty hard.

Dogs need their nails trimmed regularly in order to be able to run, walk, and chase their toys without pain.

#39 Clean Those Teeth

Failing to clean your dog’s teeth can result in tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease. Plus, it will make your dog feel better about itself.

If you are not comfortable with brushing your puppy’s teeth, a dog groomer or veterinarian can do it for you.

#40 Keep Your Dog Fit And Trim

The more fit and trim your dog is, the better chance it will have at not developing hip or joint problems.

It only takes a solid hour every day to keep your dog healthy and active, so why not do it? It can also keep you in good shape too!

#41 Know The Breed’s Health Risks

Every breed has different health risks. For example, Rottweilers are susceptible to hip pain and Pugs have trouble breathing.

Knowing the health risks before bringing home the puppy is important.

Moreover, you can provide it with proper environment it needs to beat these health risks.

#42 Be Alert To Changing Needs

If your dog is showing signs of any changes, never brush it off.

You may feel funny for calling the vet or bringing them in to having something looked at, but could potentially save your furry friend’s life.

Be vigilant of your dog’s needs.

#43 Know When To Let Go

When the time comes that your dog is no longer well or is suffering, you have to be prepared to make the hard decision.

While it would be the best ever to have your dog live forever, the truth is nobody does.

Do what is best for your dog and always be there with them when they pass.

Keep Your Dog Safe

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to keep your dog safe.

This means, keeping it on a leash in busy areas, not letting it get into garbage cans, giving it good food and freshwater, and having a warm, comfortable sleeping area for it.

#44 ID Your Dog

A pet tag with your dog’s name, address, and phone number will be helpful in case your dog goes missing.

#45 Get Your Dog Microchipped

While it is a small investment, a microchipped dog will almost always find its way back home if lost, as a vet can instantly find the owner via the microchip.

Just keep in mind that if you microchip your dog, keep a current address attached to the microchip.

#46 Travel Safely

When traveling in the car, always keep your dog in a safe area.

You may wish to purchase a carrying crate for him or her or keep them buckled in in an appropriate dog harness.

Traveling safely with your dog can save its life in the case of an accident.

#47 Prepare For A Disaster

It is not an enjoyable time to think about a disaster happening, but if it does, is your furry friend prepared?

This is where it lies on you as the owner. Always keep extra dog food on hand and medication if possible for your pet.

#48 Establish An Emergency Contact

In the case of an emergency, you should have a contact that will come and care for your dog.

It should be someone that your pup is comfortable with.

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Be Your Dog’s Friend

Your dog has no one else that loves it as much as you do.

While your life may be filled with friends, family, and co-workers, your dog only has you! Therefore, treat him or her like they are your best friend.

#49 Meet Your Dog’s Emotional Needs

Dogs need love, affection, and attention. Make sure you give your dog lots of cuddles and kisses, as well as an adventure!

Take it for a car ride and let it hang its head out the window. Or, let it run wild in a park and roll in the grass.

All of these things will make for a happier and healthier dog.

#50 Play

Dogs love to play and they need to play in order to be happy.

Whether it be a quick game of tug-of-war in the house or a run in the backyard, your dog needs playtime.

Play time allows it to burn off energy and have some fun.

#51 Take Walks

Daily walks are necessary to provide your dog with. Walks allow it to get fresh air and exercise.

Plus, owners can benefit from regular walks as well. In fact, it provides the perfect bonding time with your pup.

#52 Talk To Your Dog

Your dog may not understand every word you are saying, but it certainly understands tones.

Plus, your dog won’t be able to tell anyone your secrets! Give it a try and see how calming and relaxing it makes you.

#53 Give Treats

Treats are delicious rewards your dog will love.

Keep in mind that you do not want to replace meals with treats, but definitely, you want to incorporate them in training and for special occasions.

#54 Switch Out Toys

The toys your puppy plays with will not be the toys it plays with as it gets older.

Give away or toss out old teething toys and any toys with holes.

Your dog will need stronger and more stimulating toys as it becomes an adult.

#55 Plan Activities And Trips With Your Dog

Dogs love adventure and having fun.

If you’re going camping, to the lake, on a road trip, or even just for a picnic, take your dog with you!

Just be sure to keep them on a leash in areas that are high-traffic or unfamiliar.

#56 Give Him A Massage

You don’t have to be registered or certified to give your dog a fantastic massage.

In fact, massaging your dog can help them sleep better and improve any muscle or joint pain.

#57 Ease Separation Anxiety

It is normal for dogs to develop separation anxiety when you leave the house. However, you want to ease the anxiety as soon as possible.

You can try rewarding your dog with treats or toys when it stays home by itself or even with positive praise.

Additionally, you can put an anxiety sweater on your dog to wear when by itself or even turn the TV or radio on for background noise.

Train Your Dog

Training for your dog is necessary in order for it to grow up to become an obedient adult dog.

This is especially important if you are bringing home a dog breed that is extra-large or has a tendency to be rather aloof with strangers.

Training can be done at home or with puppy obedience classes.

Typically, when a puppy attends training classes, it will work on commands such as sit, stay, come, leave it, and down.

As your puppy gets older, you can put it in more advanced dog training classes.

#58 Teach Basic Commands

Basic commands like come, sit, stay, down, leave it, your dog’s name, and rollover are just some of the things you will want to teach your pup.

It may take your dog a few tries before they understand the command fully, but persistence is key.

Basic commands will help your dog develop good training and listening habits.

#59 Socialize Your Dog

Be sure your dog has its necessary vaccinations before exposing him or her to other dogs at the park.

Once your pup is cleared for socializing, take them out for daily walks at parks or areas where there is a lot of people and other dogs.

For example, walk him or her to your favorite coffee shop, take them to the beach, or take them to the park and sit on a bench and let them people watch.

Additionally, if your friends or family members have dogs, be sure to socialize your puppy with theirs.

The important thing to remember is to do this slowly, as you do not want to scare your puppy.

#60 Go To Class

For a small fee, you can take your puppy to a puppy training class. This is a great place to develop the foundations of good puppy behavior.

Afterward, you can move on to do other training from the comfort of your own home or hire a one-on-one dog trainer.

#61 Praise Your Dog

Dogs understand tones, such as your voice when it is happy or mad. When your dog does something good, you must praise him or her.

Phrases such as “good girl/boy” or “yes!” are ideal, but you can find something else you are comfortable with.

Praise should be given with an excited and proud voice followed by a pet or treat.

#62 Supervise Play With Children

Dogs love to play, but sometimes they don’t realize they are being too rough or who exactly they are playing with.

For instance, young children and puppies can have tons of fun playing together, but sometimes they can make a dangerous combo.

The reason being is puppies has sharp teeth that they nip with, and kids often don’t know this and can place their hands too close to the puppy’s mouth or be too rough with the puppy.

Supervising play with children is very important, and it can make a valuable teaching moment.

Teach children how to properly play with a puppy so that they can have fun with him or her too.

#63 Give Your Dog A Job

If you are able to, give your dog a job! If you have a farm, ranch, or even a small apartment, there are things you can train your dog to do.

For example, you can train your dog to herd cattle or sheep, chase away rodents on the farm, and even train it to bring the newspaper to you.

Dogs are intelligent creatures that can do more than you think!

Breed Responsibly

Deciding to breed your dog requires some background work first. If it is your first time, it may be best to partner up with a friend or other breeder to help you.

Moreover, keep in mind that you should be breeding your dog to improve the breed not just multiply it.

Before the puppies arrive, you will have to have a comfortable space for them and be able to monitor and tend to their needs for the first few weeks.

If you want to find out more information regarding a step by step process of breeding, check out the American Kennel Club’s Breeder Programs page for lots more details.

#64 Breed To Improve

Breeding should only happen to improve a particular breed. After all, there are so many dogs in shelters to adopt!

However, if you decide to breed, only do so to improve the breed of dog.

For instance, if you have a Border Collie who is slightly temperamental, find another Border Collie of the opposite sex who has a calm, friendly temper.

The idea behind this is to breed out the temperament of your own dog with the improved temper of the opposite Border Collie.

#65 Bitches Go Into Heat Regularly

An unsprayed female dog (or bitch), will go into heat once or twice a year.

This usually involves a bloody discharge much like a female menstruation period, and she will release many hormonal pheromones.

Going into heat does not last a long time but it does happen regularly. If you do not plan on breeding your dog, it is best to spay her.

#66 Do Genetic Screening

Genetic screening before breeding your dog is a smart idea to ensure you know if there are any diseases or genetic defects it is susceptible to.

This is especially important if your dog is a purebred. If you find that your dog has a gene for hip dysplasia or high risk of cancer, it may be best not to breed it.

Get Involved

Getting your puppy involved in as many extracurricular outings as possible is great for it! It will help shape its personality and provide it with stimulation.

There are so many great things to get involved in with your dog, and it can also help owners meet new people.

#67 Join Any Kennel Club

Depending on where you live, there may or may not be a kennel club group close to you. However, if there is, you can benefit from joining!

Kennel Clubs offer discounts to members and are a great source of communication for you and other breeders. Some clubs even offer a discount on pet insurance.

#68 Practice Dog Sports

Agility, Flyball, Herding, and Dock Diving are just some of the different sports your dog can have fun doing.

By giving him or her the opportunity to join a sport like these, you are allowing them to develop good obedience skills and burn energy. Plus, it will make you a proud owner!

#69 Encourage Breed Behavior

Different breeds have different behavioral tendencies.

Golden and Lab Retrievers are known for being gentle and great family dogs.

whereas German Shepherds are known for being police dogs and protectors.

The key thing is to find your breed’s positive traits and work at highlighting them. You want to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior.

#70 Involve Kids

Kids can have so much fun in the breeding, training, and overall helping process with raising a new pup.

As long as you teach them how to properly interact with a puppy, they can be of great help!

#71 Find A Mentor

Having help in raising a new puppy can be slightly overwhelming. Luckily, there are lots of experienced dog owners out there who are willing to help out.

Through word of mouth or asking at a veterinarian can help yield lots of helpers.

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#72 Read All About It

Online, at a library, in a book, there are tons of resources for new puppy parents.

It is important to never stop reading and always keep updated knowledge on training, grooming, and your dog’s breed. The more you know the better!

Be A Canine Ambassador

A Canine Ambassador is a dog who works in a particular place to make it better, such as a hotel.

A quick online search can pull up areas near you that offer this service, and a chance for your pup to make a great impact.

#73 Set A Good Example

Whenever you are out in public with your dog, people and other dogs are watching.

As such, you want to ensure your dog is on its best behavior and setting a good example for its breed.

If your dog slips up, do not shout or get angry at him or her – positive reinforcement is the answer.

#74 Respect Your Neighbors

Just because you love your dog, that does not mean everyone else will – like your neighbor.

Be respectful of them and keep your dog on a leash when outside or in a fenced area.

It is never polite to let your dog trample over your neighbor’s flowers, grass, or even go on their property.

#75 Fight Anti-Dog Legislation

Anti-Dog Legislation fights against issues like anti-animal fighting laws, leash laws, park laws, dog licensing laws, and even spaying and neutering laws.

As a dog owner, these issues obviously impact your ability to leisurely take your dog out in public.

Activate your voice if an anti-dog legislation issue sparks your attention.

#76 Get A Canine Good Citizen Certificate

Kennel Clubs, specifically the American Kennel Club, offers a test to allow your dog the chance to earn a Canine Good Citizen Certificate.

It is a 10-step test that puts your dog through several situations to see how it handles them. For more information, visit the AKC website.

#77 Show How Gentle Your Dog Is

If you have a sweet, gentle dog then why not show him or her off?

Take your dog to local parks, dog-friendly stores, and even to work if you are able to.

This is helpful for others you know how are scared of dogs, as your dog can provide them with a comfortable example.

Which Tips Did You Enjoy Most?

We covered a lot of topics in this article regarding being a responsible dog owner. Out of all the tips, which one did you enjoy the best or find most useful?

The reason why I put this article together was to inform you and other dog owners alike of the necessary steps and facts to consider before bringing a puppy home.

It is so important to provide a puppy with a safe and encouraging environment in order for it to become a healthy, happy adult dog.

Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of the tips and which one you can’t wait to try next!

Also, if you know anyone that can benefit from these tips, give the article a share! I’d also love to hear from you if you have any tips to add to this guide!