Responsible dog ownership
Being a responsible dog owner is about understanding your pet’s needs and your responsibilities to the community.
Responsible dog ownership involves the following:
- Vaccinating your dog
- Regular flea and worm treatments
- Regular baths and grooming
- Basic obedience training so your dog can “sit”, “stay”, “come” and “heel” on command
- Registering your dog with local council
- Desexing your dog unless you are a registered breeder
- Confining your dog in a location where it is comfortable and entertained so it does not stray
- Ensuring your dog properly exercised and involved in family activities
- Recognising if your dog has a medical or behavioural problem and taking steps to have the problem addressed
- Knowing your dog well enough to avoid situations which may put your dog or other animals or people in harm’s way
Don’t forget the annual Council registration of your dog, if they are over 3 months of age. It is due on the 10 April each year in Melbourne.
Please make sure to update any changes in phone numbers or addresses with both your local council and your pet’s microchip registration agency.
Learn more about vaccinations and desexing.
