Owning a dog is very enjoyable but also a huge responsibility.
The following advice has been developed by Wealden’s Animal Welfare Licensing Officer to help you keep your dog safe and healthy and to ensure your dog does not cause nuisance to others:
- Register your pet with a vet of your choice and maintain its vaccinations
- Train your dog in elementary obedience
- Feed your dog at regular times and with a nutritionally balanced diet
- Feed your dog from their own dish
- Keep your dog on a lead anywhere near a road, or where there are other animals
- Train your dog not to foul in public places – if it does, “Scoop the poop”!
- Provide your dog with their own bed
- Never take your dog into a food shop – always tie its lead to a post
- Keep your dog clean and regularly groomed
- If you do not want your dog to have puppies, obtain advice from your vet
- Remember your dogs bark can be nuisance to others, see advise below.
- Prepare your dog for your absences, use licenced Day Care or Kennels, check their star ratings at Animal Licensing Register
If you see or suspect someone is treating a dog badly, whether this is physical violence, neglect or any other form of cruelty, please report to the RSPCA at
Report A Concern | RSPCA – RSPCA – rspca.org.uk
There are many organisations that offer advice on dogs and their welfare,
RSPCA Advice and Welfare Information for Animals | RSPCA – RSPCA – rspca.org.uk
Blue Cross Dog Advice | Blue Cross
Dogs Trust Dog Behaviour | Understanding Your Dog | Dogs Trust
Battersea Dogs Home Dog advice | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Wood Green Pet advice | Woodgreen Pets Charity
For advice on barking dogs please go to Noisy Dogs