As September rolls around, we begin to prepare for football season, changing weather, and the holidays. But, September also brings us an extra-special reason to celebrate—Responsible Dog Ownership Month. This month is dedicated to all the dogs and dog parents; serving as a reminder about the essential aspects of caring for our most loyal and loving companions. Owning a dog is more than just providing food, water, and shelter. It’s about a lifelong commitment of companionship and fulfilling the physical, emotional, and social needs of our four legged best friends. So for the month of September (and every month) consider these ways to celebrate your dog and ensure you are practicing your own responsible dog ownership.

Safety Measures & Emergency Preparedness

Here at Sunland Acres Pet Boarding Camp, safety is always our top priority. Making sure you are prepared in case of an emergency situation or natural disaster is extremely important when practicing responsible dog ownership. Pet First Aid refers to emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick pet before professional medical care is available. Things such as heat stroke, bandaging, seizures, fractures, and more. If you don’t already, we recommend keeping a pet first aid kit in your home and in your car. We are offering regular classes for Pet CPR & First Aid. To learn more about upcoming classes click here.

Responsible dog parents also understand how important proper identification is for your pet. Make sure your pet has a registered microchip and is wearing a sturdy collar with current identification tags. In addition, before heading out somewhere, ensure your dog is wearing properly fitting equipment. Make sure all collars and harnesses are fitting snuggly and securely and all leashes are unfrayed with properly working clips. If your dog is prone to slipping out of collars or harnesses, a martingale style collar may be a safer option.

From hurricane season to wild fires, having a disaster plan in order that includes your pet is paramount. Incase of fire, you can outfit windows and doors in your home with stickers notifying emergency personnel that a dog is inside. Set aside two weeks worth of fresh water and food for your dog, as well as any medications or supplements. In the event of an evacuation, have a route prepared that includes dog friendly hotels along the way. AKC Reunite Emergency Plan.

Training & Socialization

There are many fun ways to bond and build relationships with your dogs! This can be going for a daily walk or spending quality time cuddling on the couch. Training your dog is an excellent way to enhance the bond between pet, parent, and other pups and parents around you. Responsible Dog Ownership Month encourages you to invest time into training your dog; teaching them good manners and life skills. From basic obedience to exciting dog sports, you’re sure to find something to keep your pups brain and body active. The better behaved your pooch is, the more likely you will be able to include them in every day activities, like taking a walk on the beach or visiting a local farmers market. Socializing your dog properly comes hand in hand with training. Setting your dog up for success from an early age and throughout their life, is crucial for their well-being. Basic socialization is about creating positive experiences to new environments and building neutrality with other dogs and people. A socialized dog may enjoy a safer and more fulfilling existence. Reducing the likelihood of undesirable or dangerous behaviors and helping them develop confidence, reduce anxiety, and ensure they become friendly and approachable members of society. Furthermore its important to research your breed of dog before adding one to your home. Each individual breed requires different amounts of exercise, training, and socialization. Be sure you can properly fulfill your breeds genetic needs.

Health & Wellness

Prioritizing health and wellness for your dog is of upmost importance to keep your dog safe and feeling their best. Attending regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and preventative care such as dental cleanings and proper grooming, are essential to keeping your dog healthy. Dog’s medical needs can vary based on age and breed, so its important to discuss with your veterinarian what is necessary for your individual dog!

Regarding your pets nutrition, you may need to keep in mind several factors such age, activity levels, size, or allergies. Did you know that the ingredients on your pets food label are listed in order from highest content to lowest content? The first 5 ingredients in your pets food are what make up the majority of it! A good quality food will have named proteins as the first couple ingredients. It’s important to steer clear of unnamed proteins and by-products. If a protein is unnamed, the distributor doesn’t know what animal the protein is derived from and the term “by-product” means that it is any part of an animal that is unfit for human consumption. It is also best to steer clear from loads of fillers such as corn and artificial food coloring. At the end of the day your vet can help you figure out how much food you should give your dog, as well as any special dietary needs your dog may have. Fed is always best!

Proper grooming is also vital for your pets wellness. It’s not always about looking better, but feeling better as well! Unkept grooming can lead to matting, resulting in hair tugging at the skin, causing painful sores and overall discomfort. Proper nail maintenance is also vital for the health and comfort of your dog. Overgrow nails can cause problems of the spine and posture, resulting in arthritis and difficulty walking. Click here to view our grooming information. Give us a call to book a grooming appointment or nail trim today!