Tips to Prevent Thoughtless Dog Ownership

Tips on how to be more sensitive to the needs of your canine companion. Dogs are generally well-adapted to accept whatever we throw their way; we have nurtured them throughout their lives to be subservient companions who exist solely to please and rely upon us; yet often don’t reciprocate this devotion in return. We let them down by insisting they conform to our lifestyles and leisure pursuits without considering their preferences and needs for living a fulfilling life. Many activities we think they would enjoy are simply our opinions; unfortunately they cannot tell us otherwise. Companionship should be two-way street; all they want is someone to spend quality time together doing what interests them – not what we expect them to.

Recent surveys reveal that 40% of owners leave their dogs home alone for more than seven hours at a time and 20% deemed it acceptable for a dog to remain alone for over a day. It should go without saying that having a companion pet should involve spending as much time possible with it; many suffer depression caused by separation anxiety with symptoms ranging from barking, whining and messing furniture fittings before sitting still and staring waiting for an owner’s return – it simply won’t do. Simply spying on them through CCTV or leaving TV or radio listening in place is simply not enough – you must spend quality time together at home with it!