Tips for being a good dog owner

Are you giving your dog the Star treatment they deserve?

Dogs are considered a man’s (and woman’s) best friend.  So it’s important to make sure they’re getting the star treatment they deserve:

• Just like you, your friend needs space and exercise.  A daily walk gives your dog the chance to run around and play. 
• If you need to leave your dog at home - they may bark and annoy your neighbours.  Reduce their boredom and the chance of mischief by popping home regularly to take them for walks, giving them toys and treats or get a friend to dog sit.
• Please don’t leave your dog in a car - even if you leave the window open.

Dogs and your family
Dogs are great company for children and can help them develop good social skills. But dogs do find it difficult to understand children - they cry, yell, laugh and run about which can make a dog nervous.  Children may also be over affectionate or they may step on your dogs paws or tail.  For these reasons - young children are more likely to be bitten by a family dog than anyone else.  To be on the safe side, don’t leave your dog alone with a baby or young child even if it’s for a short time.

Who let the dogs out?

Dog poo, dog poo everywhere - it seems you can’t take a walk these days without seeing dog poo and even worse - dog poo left in bags! The trouble is dog poo doesn’t disappear overnight and is full of nasties that are harmful to children. 

Did you know?

• Dog poo is a dangerous pollutant which is in the same category as toxic chemicals!
• Dog poo can spread parasites including ringworms, tapeworms and Salmonella - even if it’s washed away by rain, these nasties still linger in the soil.
• Worse of all, dog poo contains roundworm larva which can cause blindness if a child plays in an area where dog poo is and then touches their mouth.

Please bag and bin your dog’s poo - and protect the children in your area.