Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Saturday, September 20th is Responsible Dog Ownership Day. The American Kennel Club is hosting an event in Madison Square Park, NYC. Many breed clubs will be manning tables, showing off their breeds, answering questions and promoting responsible dog ownership. We will working at the mastiff table with dogs.

I would say that 8 out of 10 dogs that I evaluate because their owners are giving them up to mastiff rescue are being given up because the owners simply were not responsible dog owners. Now that isn't to say that these owners were abusive or cruel in any way. But they either didn't know enough about the breed or weren't prepared to take on the responsibility of any dog let alone a giant breed. It is surprising to me how many people don't realize how big mastiffs get or that they drool or that they cost more to feed and more to take care of at the vet. But really the biggest error is when owners don't take seriously their responsibility to ensure that their dog is a good citizen. It is one thing to have a tempermental, unruly and unsocial yorkie and quite another to have that in a giant dog. it is reckless and irresponsible. That is how people get hurt.

Many times people say to me but I heard mastiffs are such good and gentle dogs. Well no dog is good out of the box. Mastiffs are good and gentle by nature but if you never train your dog to understand that you are the boss don't be surprised that it doesn't listen or becomes the leader of the pack itself. If you don't socialize your dog when it is a pup you have no idea how it will react to new situations. The dog will be essentially unpredictable and an unpredictable dog is a dangerous dog when it is 200lbs because any mistake that dog makes will be a big one!

Group training classes are a great way to train and socialize at the same time. Group lessons also helps your knowledge of dog behabior grow. By watching how your trainer helps other owners and their dogs deal with different behaviors you are better equipped to handle the situation when you dog does something similar. Positive training is a must and creates a strong bond between you and you and your dog. There is more to owning a dog than snuggling on the couch, taking a walk and playing fetch. You owe it to your dog to help him become a canine good citizen so that you and he can safely interact with each other and the public!