Pets are becoming more popular than ever. According to the National Pet Survey 2021-2022, conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 70% or 90.5 million households in the United States own a pet. Among these pets, dogs are the most popular. In 2017, an estimated 89.7 million dogs were owned in the United States.
With so many people owning dogs, it’s important to be informed about what it takes to be a responsible dog owner. Dogs are a big commitment and they require time, energy, and money. Here are a few questions you should ask any dog owner before you decide to get a dog yourself.
63 Questions you can ask a dog owner:
- How often do you walk your dog?
- How often do you feed your dog?
- What type of food do you feed your dog?
- How often do you take your dog to the vet?
- What type of exercise does your dog get?
- Does your dog have any medical conditions?
- How much does your dog weigh?
- What is your dog’s breed?
- What is your dog’s name?
- When did you get your dog?
- Where did you get your dog?
- What is your favorite thing about your dog?
- What is your least favorite thing about your dog?
- Does your dog have any bad habits?
- Does your dog know any tricks?
- Is your dog house-trained?
- Is your dog good with other dogs?
- Is your dog good with children?
- Does your dog bark a lot?
- Does your dog shed a lot?
- How long have you been a dog owner?
- What made you decide to get a dog?
- How old is your dog?
- How would you describe your dog’s personality?
- What are your dog’s favorite things to do?
- Does your dog have any obedience training?
- Does your dog get along with other dogs?
- Does your dog like to be around people?
- Is your dog crate-trained?
- Are there any foods or substances that your dog is allergic to?
- How much exercise does your dog need per day?
- What is your Dog’s feeding schedule like?
- Do you have any concerns about your Dog’s behavior that you would like help with?
- Do you have a fenced-in yard for your dog to play in?
- Do you take your dog to the park or on other outings?
- How much time do you spend with your dog each day?
- How often do you brush your dog’s teeth?
- How often do you bathe your dog?
- Do you have any training experience with dogs?
- Are you comfortable handling a dog that is not yet housebroken?
- Have you ever owned a dog before?
- Why are you interested in owning a dog?
- What kind of personality are you looking for in a dog?
- What size of dog do you prefer?
- What age of dog are you interested in?
- Do you have any preferences when it comes to breeds or mixes of breeds?
- Would you be willing to adopt a rescue or shelter dog?
- Have you done any research on breeds or specific dogs that interest you?
- What kind of exercise routine do you have and would you be willing to include walks with a dog as part of that routine?
- Do any members of your household have allergies to dogs or other animals?
- Is everyone in your household on board with the idea of owning a dog and taking care of him or her?
- How often do you take your dog to the vet?
- Is your dog good with other dogs?
- Is your dog good with children?
- How much does your dog shed?
- How much does your dog bark?
- How much time do you spend with your dog each day?
- Do you have a fence around your property?
- Do you have a pool or other body of water on your property?
- Do you have any other pets in the home?
- Are there any dangerous animals in the area where you live?
- Have you ever had to give CPR to a pet before?
- Do you know how to administer first aid to a pet?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone other than the owner be responsible for a dog bite?
Many people think that only the dog owner can be held responsible for a dog bite. However, this is not always the case. In some cases, another person can be held responsible for a bite. For example, if the victim was trespassing on the property or provoked the dog in any way, the owner may not be held liable.
What do you call a dog’s owner?
The owner of a dog is usually called a “handler”. Dog handlers are responsible for the training as well as their dog. They must also make sure their dogs are well-behaved and socialized.
Some people also call them “mom” or “dad” depending on their relationship with their pet. No matter what you call them, the owner is always responsible for their dog’s well-being.
Conclusion
Asking these questions will help give you a better picture of what it’s really like to have a dog and whether or not you’re ready to commit to a pet. Of course, every dog is different and there’s no guarantee that one dog owner’s experience will be exactly the same as another. But these questions are a good starting point for learning more about dogs and what they need from their people to live well.
