Like many others, I have grown up around animals, specifically dogs. My family has always been involved in 4-H, as well. 4-H’ers participate in various projects, including Food & Nutrition, Public Speaking, Shooting Sports, raising show animals, and my favorite: Dog Care & Training. This project is important to me not only because I love my household pets, but because of my beliefs about humankind’s responsibility to care for Earth’s creatures.
Genesis Chapter 1 tells us to be stewards of God’s creation, including livestock, wild animals, and all the living creatures that move along the ground. We can do this by being responsible pet owners. Basic dog care goes beyond providing food. It includes providing safe fencing, essential medical care, and basic training.
On any given day in Littlefield, multiple dogs can be found roaming about. Of course, well-cared-for pets do occasionally escape their owners’ yards. However, some animals are allowed to wander regularly. Littlefield’s Code of Ordinances does not allow dogs to roam “at large.” Dogs, for their own safety, as well as the safety of others, should be contained. Additionally, Texas’ Safe Outdoor Dogs Act says that dogs must have access to adequate shelter to protect them from extreme weather. Adequate fencing is often expensive, but it is necessary.
Essential medical care starts with ensuring that dogs receive their vaccinations. In Texas, failing to vaccinate your dog against rabies is illegal. Rabies is a preventable but nearly 100% fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. Humans, as well as other animals, are susceptible to rabies, so prevention is extremely important. Another important vaccine is the DHPP vaccine, which protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Spaying and neutering pets is also very important. An unneutered male dog is around 2.6 times more aggressive than a neutered male dog. Fixing your animals reduces some health risks, as well, such as testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. An obvious benefit of spaying and neutering is that it reduces the number of homeless animals. An unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce literally thousands of puppies in just a few years.
Basic dog training is both enjoyable and important. I will, in future articles, address a variety of training topics; however, here, I want to speak briefly to the idea of teaching your dog to walk nicely on a loose leash. Rather than letting a dog pull ahead of its owner, a loose leash puts less stress on the dog’s neck and is less tiresome for the owner. A handful of small treats can be offered, one at a time, to encourage a dog to remain at their owners side. Walking on a loose lease takes lots of practice, but it can be accomplished!
4-H provides me with an opportunity to develop my interest in Dog Care & Training and also gives me a platform to share information with club and community members. Whether or not you are a member of 4H, we are all members of God’s creation and thereby stewards of these fabulous animals!