Pets are like friends for life. They offer companionship, unconditional love, and emotional support. Pets can provide security, reduce stress and anxiety, and offer a reason to get out and exercise. They’re always happy to see their owners, which can boost your mood and reduce loneliness.
Pet owners must be aware of the numerous duties of having a pet. One of your most significant responsibilities is your pet’s behavior in public and ability to socialize. Untrained or undertrained pets, particularly dogs, can be a safety concern.
Part of being a responsible pet owner is ensuring that your pet isn’t in danger or a danger to others.
3 Steps to Prepare Your Dog for Outside
As a new “pawrent,” there are some steps you must take to take to ensure your new friend is ready to interact with the outside world.
1. Training
Training your dog is crucial for their safety and the safety of others. Basic commands like sit, stay, and come are vital for preventing them from running into dangerous situations or jumping on other people.
Dogs learn best with positive reinforcement, not punishment. Try using treats, play, or attention to reinforce your desired behaviors. Dogs might not understand the difference between positive and negative attention, so getting loud and angry at an unwanted action may reinforce that behavior.
Ensure you train your dog with and without distractors to confirm their mastery of commands. It’s one thing to have your dog sit when you’re holding a treat in an empty room and a whole different thing to have them do it in a busy park.
2. Socialization
Getting your dog socialized is one of the most important things you can do as a dog owner. By getting your dog used to interacting with other animals and strangers, you can teach it to meet new people without unnecessary fear or aggression.
Socializing older dogs is possible but can be more difficult and take longer, so starting early is best.
On the other end of the spectrum are dogs with separation anxiety. If you get your dog too used to company, they may get stressed by being alone—and tear up furniture or behave aggressively.
Strike a good balance to help your dog be comfortable in most environments. Get them acclimated but not too used to the company of other pets and people.
3. Use a leash
When you’re outside, your dog will probably want to sniff all the interesting new scents. But letting them run free can be dangerous. Even well-trained dogs can get distracted and run into traffic or approach other animals, which can be hazardous. It’s best to start with leashed walks until your dog masters their recall.
Even if your dog is extremely behaved, you never know how a stranger’s dog might react to their presence.
Responsible Pawrenthood
As a pet owner, you understand how crucial it is to properly train your animal. A well-socialized, well-trained pet can enjoy more activities outside and requires less micromanagement, making your job easier and more enjoyable. Training your pets also makes things safer for everyone, minimizing the chances of legal issues from dog-biting incidents.
Make the responsible choice and ensure your pet is ready before you let it go outside!
