Basic manners...in pet owners

As Best Friends dog trainer for Indianapolis,  I am always talking to people about basic manners with their pets. They need to know the simple but neccesary commands of *heel* *sit* *down* *stay* and *come*. For their benefit and ours. It just makes life better for us all. That being said, there isn't a lot said about basic manners for the OWNERS!
I'm not talking about teaching the owners to *sit* *down* and *come when called* (although I know of a few of my own friends who could benefit from learning this). I'm talking about responsible pet ownership. Manners for the humans. Simple things we don't always think about. Like the following:

* Maintaining the health of your pets
         Keeping vaccinations up to date
         Yearly health check up
         Yearly Dental cleanings
         Cleaning up after your pet at and away from home.

* Obtaining some form of ID for your pet
         Rabies tags
         Personal ID tags
         Micro chipping
         Tattooing

* Adequate nutrition
         Talk to your own Vet to get their perspective on the best food for your pet
* Daily exercise plans
          Consider a reputable doggie daycamp program in your area
          Join a dog park
         A well exercised pet is a happier pet! And face it, a happier pet is a happier owner.
* Regular bathing and grooming
        This includes those LONG nails!

Now those ideas may all seem pretty basic to you, just things needed to maintain their health happiness and a longer life. And you're right. They are. However that's not where it ends! There are certain things we as pet owners need to do to maintain manners. Both in us and in our pets.

Part of the human form of basic manners means not letting your pet infringe on the rights of others. Things like:

* Not letting your pets run loose in the neighborhood.
* Not letting your pet sit in the back yard or in a hotel room, barking incessitantly.
* Providing adequate supervision when there are young children in the presense of your pets.
* Not letting them jump all over the guests in your home.
* Oh...and the most popular bad habit in our pets...NO CROTCH SNIFFING!
It may be a natural thing to your pet but can be a source of embarassment and irritation to your guests.

And let's not forget the most basic of basics...we need to train our pets! Yes, this is where the obedience classes come in. Teaching your dog to *sit* *stay* *down* *come when called* are all big pluses and is a way to guarentee your pet will be we lcomed and loved by all who meet them. And it goes a long way in making your own house hold a happier place for you all to live together. Humans and pets as one.