Beyond the essential requirements of food & shelter, responsible owners provide training to help their dogs become good neighbours, and care for their dogs' physical, emotional, and social needs. With responsible pet ownership comes healthy pets, happy owners, and friendly neighbours.
Provided below are some links to guide you in becoming a responsible dog owner. The CKC Good Neighbour Program is a non-competitive certification of your dog's well-mannered behaviour, at home and in public spaces. The OVMA (Ontario Veterinary Medical Association) handbook is a comprehensive resource that will answer your canine questions. According to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, all pets must be licensed. Animal Licensing provides the fees and application form.
Here is some must-read information for every responsible dog owner. Among these are tips on bite prevention, children around dogs, keeping your dog safe and healthy, and the value of poop-free green space.
These are popular etiquette and rules which many off-leash parks successfully follow.