Dogs are wonderful companions, but they can also be quite demanding in many ways. They need to be walked every day, fed daily, and trained to do their business outside. And yet, dog owners wouldn’t trade their pets for the world. This is because dogs are loyal and lovable creatures that can lighten up anyone’s day with their charm and innocence.
A lot of dog owners would say that owning a dog is a lot of work. This is because dogs are entirely dependent on their owners for their needs. Whether you breed Bernedoodles or German Shepherds, you need to get to know your dog properly so that you can care for it in the best way possible. After all, this is what is expected of responsible dog owners.
The Joys of Dog Ownership
Dog ownership can make people happy for plenty of reasons. Below are some examples:
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Dogs keep their owners happy
Dogs can bring happiness into the lives of their owners because they are usually always up for playing with them. They are usually fond of giving their owners a lot of cuddles. Therefore, it is impossible to have a gloomy day with a dog around.
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Dogs make their owners feel needed
Dog owners love the responsibility of taking care of their dogs, and this makes them feel like they have a purpose in life which can be very fulfilling to some people. There is something very satisfying in being able to care for another living being.
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Dogs help their owners avoid stress
Dogs are good for their owners’ mental health because dogs help relieve stress and anxiety. After all, dogs are very loyal and loving creatures that always provide their owners with unconditional love.
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Dogs help their owners live longer
Dogs can help their owners live longer because dog owners are more likely to go for walks and exercise. Research shows dog owners have a 30% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than people who do not own dogs.
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Dogs help keep their owners safe and secure
Dogs are very good when it comes to keeping their owners safe and secure. They can alert you when there is an intruder in your home, or they might even save lives by saving people that are drowning, trapped under debris after an earthquake, etc.
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Dogs are very loyal to their owners
Dogs are known to be very loyal to their owners, and they can become depressed if you leave them alone for a long time. They offer emotional support and friendship, especially in times of need, such as when someone is grieving or going through depression. Dogs are also very affectionate towards their owner, so it’s generally easy to develop an attachment to your dog.
Challenges of Dog Ownership
Even though dogs are great companions and offer many benefits to people’s lives, some challenges come with dog ownership. These include the following:
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Dogs need to be taken to the vet for regular check-ups
Responsible dog owners need to take their dogs to the vet for regular check-ups. Dogs need annual vaccinations, heartworm medication, flea and tick prevention, microchipping, etc. This way, dog owners can make sure that their dogs are always in good health. In addition, dogs need to be groomed regularly to make sure that they are clean and healthy, too.
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Dog owners have a financial responsibility
Just like people, dogs need expenses for food, toys, treats, veterinary care (vaccinations), grooming costs (grooming brush/tool kit), license fees, and more. Dog ownership can be really expensive. Therefore, dog owners need to create a budget so that they will always be able to provide for their dog’s needs and make sure that they are always ready for emergencies.
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Dog ownership requires dog obedience training
Some dog breeds are known for being very independent and strong-willed, while others require lots of exercise since their muscles need to be worked out regularly. Therefore, dog owners should learn dog obedience training to make sure their dog is well-behaved all the time.
Dog owners need to train their dogs to behave properly inside the house because dogs can become very unruly and destroy furniture if they are not trained properly. Dog owners should also be responsible for ensuring that their dogs will not attack other people as this could lead to expenses and legal consequences.
Becoming a Responsible Dog Owner
Dog owners should always strive to become responsible dog owners for the benefit of their dogs. Being a responsible dog owner will make sure that your dogs will always be happy and healthy.
