Responsibility as a dog owner: helpful tips

1. Taking care of a dog is a long-term commitment

Adopting a dog is a decision for life – at least for your pet. As a dog owner, you are taking on a responsibility that can last from 10 to 15 years.

Before buying a dog, consider your long-term plans and whether you can always take care of a four-legged friend. Dogs develop a deep connection with their humans and suffer greatly when they are given away.

Dogs don’t make suitable gifts

Does your child really want a dog? No matter how many times your child asks for one: never give a dog as a gift without proper thought. Adopting a dog requires consideration and commitment from the whole family. And the main responsibility always lies with you as a parent.

2. Dogs in everyday life: daily time spent on dog care

Dogs are great companions, but take a lot of time. They need at least two hours of activity per day. In addition, according to Swiss Animal Welfare (not available in English), a dog may not spend more than four hours alone at home.

Puppies in particular need special attention. It takes a lot of time to raise them and get them settled in. They have yet to learn how to be alone. Good time management is therefore important for dog owners. 

Checklist: the daily tasks of a dog owner

Can you handle time management for a dog? Here’s an overview of the daily tasks of dog owners:

·   Exercise: Dogs need exercise several times a day – whether the sun is shining, it’s raining or snowing heavily. Plan at least two hours per day for this. Some breeds, such as huskies, require far more exercise.

·   Feeding: Depending on your pet’s age and breed, your companion will want to eat at least once a day and should always have fresh water available. It’s important to keep to regular feeding times.

·   Coat care: Depending on the nature of the coat, its care may be more or less time-consuming. You should brush long-haired breeds every day. 

·   Brushing your pet’s teeth: As with humans, dental hygiene prevents health problems and reduces bad breath. It’s best to brush your dog’s teeth daily, but at least three to four times a week.

·   Bonding time: Daily play and cuddling strengthens the bond between humans and animals.

·   Training and mental stimulation: Breeds that have been bred for certain tasks need regular mental stimulation in particular. These include, for example, herding or hunting dogs. You can engage in seeking games, nose work, skill games and so on.

·   Bathing: Dogs only need a bath if they are very dirty. You should not bathe your four-legged friend more than once a month.  

·   Claw care: Some dogs wear out their claws on their own when running and playing around outside. However, it is usually necessary to shorten them about every four to six weeks.

3. A dog is a commitment – including emotionally

More than “just” a pet, the dog is often a family member. A deep emotional bond is soon formed. Dogs respond accordingly to the moods of the people around them. A balanced environment helps your dog feel safe and secure. This in turn has a positive influence on your dog’s behaviour.  

Cuddling and playing with dogs also has a positive effect on our well-being. But it’s not all fun and games; challenges such as illness and death are also part of a dog’s life. For you, these can be emotionally – and financially – very stressful times.

4. Financial commitments: the cost of keeping dogs

Dogs need much more than a food bowl, bed and leash. Annual check-ups with a veterinarian, dog tax, vaccinations, deworming, a chip, a pet passport, dog insurance and, depending on the canton, dog training courses are compulsory aspects of taking care of a dog. 

Depending on the breed and origin, the initial cost of a dog is around 1,500 francs. After that, you can expect annual expenses of around 1,700 to 4,100 francs. Read more about the cost of owning a dog in Switzerland here. 

5. How a dog impacts your lifestyle

A lot of things change in everyday life and work when you have a dog. Long nights partying or spontaneous weekend trips become more difficult. Do you have a solution for dog care if you work full-time? 

A living situation that’s appropriate to the species is also important: do you have enough space for a dog? What floor do you live on? Is there a lift? Certain breeds are also unsuitable for keeping in the city.

Dogs and holidays

If flying with your dog is too much effort for you, you may now end up spending your holidays in Switzerland more often. Maybe friends or family will also take care of your pet for a few days. Alternatively, you can temporarily put the dog in a kennel – but this comes at a cost.

6. Responsibility towards other people

A dog does not just mean a responsibility towards the animal. It also involves showing consideration for other people. This means, among other things:

• Following the rules on using a leash. This is regulated differently from canton to canton, but a leash is often mandatory, for example, in nature reserves, public transport or during the breeding and nesting season in the forest. Contact the canton you live in for more details.

• Removing your dog’s poop.

• When encountering other walkers, runners, etc., calling the dog back to you. Even if your dog never hurts anyone: this is a relief, especially for people who are afraid of dogs.

7. Summary

A dog is another member of the family and means a similar amount of responsibility. Are you prepared to shoulder this responsibility? Think carefully about buying a dog. Plus: before buying, think about which dog breed best suits you and your life situation.