Responsible Dog Ownership Day Date in the current year: September 20, 2025

Dogs are loyal companions that bring joy to their owners’ lives. While owning a dog is a fun and rewarding experience, it is also a lot of work. Responsible dog owners do everything they can to make sure their furry companions are happy and healthy. But what exactly does responsible dog ownership entail?

Many people think that regular walks with plenty of exercise and a healthy, balanced diet are enough for their dog, but in reality, that is the bare minimum. Responsible dog ownership starts with puppy-proofing your home before you adopt a four-legged friend, as puppies are naturally curious and can easily get themselves into a dangerous and even potentially deadly situation.

Being a responsible dog owner also means taking your dog to the vet for regular check-ups even if your pet seems perfectly healthy. These check-ups are necessary to catch any health problems as early as possible and to keep vaccinations up to date.

Responsible dog owners also know that daily walks and exercise aren’t enough: dogs need mental enrichment and socialization to channel their energy, combat boredom, and prevent destructive behavior. Basic training for your dog kills two birds with one stone: it is both a source of mental enrichment and an important safety precaution.

Grooming is also an important part of responsible dog ownership. It includes regular brushing and trimming of your dog’s coat, eye and ear care, nail trimming, teeth cleaning, and anal gland expression. It is also very important to take preventative measures against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and other common parasites.

Finally, in addition to taking care of their dogs’ daily needs, responsible owners are always prepared for emergencies. This includes putting together a dog first aid kit, putting your vet’s number on speed dial, making a list of emergency vets in your area in case your regular vet is unavailable, microchipping your dog, and having an evacuation plan in case of a house fire or natural disaster.

Responsible Dog Ownership Day was created by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2003. The primary activity of the AKC is to maintain pedigree registry of purebred dogs in the United States, but this kennel club also organizes and sanctions a number of purebred dog events and runs various programs for dogs. One of these programs, the Canine Good Citizen, promotes responsible dog ownership and provides behavior evaluations for all breeds, including mixed breeds.

On Responsible Dog Ownership Day, the AKC, more than 5,000 affiliated kennel clubs across the country, and other pet-related organizations host various events to educate the public about dog ownership. These events include dog demonstrations and parades, information booths, children’s presentations on dog safety, health clinics, microchipping, social media campaigns using the hashtag #ResponsibleDogOwnershipDay, and more.