Charity shares advice for owners to help dogs live their best life this National Dog Day
26 August 2026
Over 11 million pet dogs are estimated to live in the UK* and almost 1 in 3 of us own a dog* so this National Dog Day (Wednesday 26 Aug), leading vet charity PDSA is raising vital awareness of how owners can give their dog the best life possible.
The charity’s latest advice highlights that dog ownership is a lifelong commitment, encompassing far more than simply providing food and exercise. From choosing the right dog for your lifestyle, understanding their behaviour and meeting their welfare needs, to keeping them safe, healthy and well socialised; responsible dog ownership starts the moment you choose a dog and continues throughout their life.
The four golden rules every responsible dog owner should know:
1. Give your dog a good life.
PDSA advises people to think carefully about whether a dog is genuinely right for their lifestyle. Before getting a dog, it’s important to choose a breed that suits your lifestyle and that you can care for throughout their life. Different dogs have different needs. Pet owners should be prepared to provide appropriate food, water, regular exercise, play, reward-based training, vaccinations, routine health check-ups and a safe home and more throughout their dog’s life. PDSA recommends using a trusted rehoming organisation or responsible breeder and being particularly cautious when buying a dog online.
2. Keep your dog safe and secure
Dogs use body language to tell us when they are happy, worried, uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Learning to recognise signs of stress can also help pet owners remove their dog from a difficult situation before things escalate.
Socialisation is another important part of helping dogs feel confident. Puppies have a key socialisation period during their first few months, but older dogs can also benefit from training when adjusting to new situations. Pet owners should also learn some basic pet first aid and in terms of leaving a dog alone at home, they can gradually teach their dog that sometimes being apart is ok by building up how long you leave your dog alone for and ensuring they are comfortable and relaxed while you are out. However, it’s important to remember that PDSA advises that most dogs shouldn't be left alone for longer than four hours and they should never be left alone in a car, as vehicles can become dangerously hot within minutes.
3. Be a good citizen
Dogs must be microchipped by eight weeks old and pet owners are legally required to keep their contact details up to date. When in public, dogs must wear a collar and ID tag, with the owner's name and address. PDSA recommends adding a phone number too, making it easier for a lost dog to be reunited with their family. Recall is another vital life skill. A reliable 'come' could help prevent a dog running into danger, approaching another dog that doesn't want to interact or getting lost. PDSA recommends starting recall training as early as possible, even with an older dog. Keep rewarding your dog when they return, and don't only call them when the walk is ending, otherwise they may quickly learn that recall means the fun is over.
Being a good citizen also means considering other people, animals and the environment. Owners should keep their dog under control in public and always clean up after them. Dog poo isn't just unpleasant; it can carry harmful bacteria that can spread to people and other animals. Cleaning up also helps protect wildlife and the environment.
4. Remember that dog ownership is a lifetime commitment
Dogs can live 10–15 years or longer, depending on the individual and their breed, Owners need to be prepared to adapt their care as their dog grows, ages and experiences changes in health. Senior dogs may need more vet check-ups, different food, shorter walks or adjustments around the home.
Consider that moving house, changes to work, family circumstances or sudden illness can all affect a dog’s routine. PDSA recommends thinking ahead as much as possible and having a plan for who could care for your dog if you suddenly became unable to; including keeping feeding routines, medication instructions and other essential information to hand.
Finally, think about the financial commitment. As well as the initial costs pet owners need to budget throughout their pet's life for food, preventive healthcare including vaccinations and parasite treatments, grooming, training, toys, bedding, leads and ID tags, and potentially unexpected veterinary bills. Pet insurance can provide some additional reassurance should an accident or illness occur.
Before bringing a dog into your life, ask yourself:
- Can I meet their physical and emotional needs every day?
- Have I chosen a dog that's genuinely suited to my lifestyle?
- Is my home safe and suitable for them?
- Do I understand their body language and know when they're stressed?
- Have I invested time in positive, reward-based training?
- Is their microchip registered with my current details?
- Do they have a correctly fitted collar and ID tag?
- Can I rely on their recall?
- Do I know what to do if they have an emergency?
- Can I afford their ongoing care, including unexpected veterinary costs?
- Do I have a plan if my circumstances suddenly change?
- Am I prepared to adapt their care as they become older?
PDSA Vet Catherine Burke said: “Dogs give us so much companionship and love, in return they rely on us for every aspect of their care. Being a responsible dog owner means understanding your dog as an individual, keeping them safe, meeting their physical and emotional needs and being prepared to adapt as their needs change. National Dog Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our dogs, but also to think about whether we’re giving them everything they need to live happy, healthy lives.”
Catherine concluded: “Our dogs don't get to choose their homes or the people who care for them, that's our responsibility. National Dog Day is the perfect time to check your dog's microchip details, brush up on recall, look at their routine and think about whether their needs have changed. And if you're considering getting a dog, take your time; choosing to share your life with a dog is a wonderful decision, but it is one that lasts for their whole life.”
PDSA's four recent responsible dog ownership blogs are based around the key sections of the Dog Ownership Guide produced by Dogs Trust and the RSPCA.
