Dogs got the nickname “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are loyal and lovable, but also hardworking. Created in 2006, National Puppy Day aims to celebrate fluffy friends while also bringing awareness to puppy mills and the importance of adopting.
Lauren Bunn, a junior studying integrated social studies, has a 5-month-old Bernedoodle puppy named Winnie.
“Originally I was looking for a shelter dog, but I knew the dog I would get would be sticking with me for a very long time,” she said. “I have a very open schedule this semester, so I knew I was capable of having the time to train a dog, and I just wanted a little companion to keep with me, to grow up with me.”
4 Paws for Ability is a group based out of Xenia that works to raise and train service dogs for children and veterans. Chloe Dixon, a sophomore studying art therapy and incoming president of the 4 Paws chapter at Ohio University, said multiple people can be involved with the training and care of one dog.
“There's a couple different levels through 4 Paws,” they said. “There's a primary and then a secondary foster. So the primary foster is the one who the dog lives with. Dogs are not allowed to live in dorms right now, so they live off-campus and in apartments. Then the secondaries babysit the dogs.”
When OU 4 Paws receives a puppy, it is usually only a few weeks old. They are then trained for around two years before returning to Xenia for an assessment test. If they pass, they will get further advanced training. Dixon said the amount of people involved can be challenging.
“Every dog has its quirks, and so they're all a little bit different,” they said. “And when they get passed around from secondary to secondary, it's kind of hard to match your training style to everyone else and know what the dog needs and wants.”
The OU 4 Paws chapter can be found on Instagram at @ou4pawsand can be reached by email at 4pawsou@gmail.com. It meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and locations can be found on the group’s Instagram. OU 4 Paws is currently working with a poodle and a black lab-retriever mix.
Clay Hammond, a store lead at the PetSmart at 743 E. State St., said the training process can be easier for younger rather than older dogs, but owners should still consider training programs.
“Be prepared to put in a lot of work,” he said. “It's easier with puppies than it is with older dogs who are maybe set in their ways, but you want to start training them as soon as you possibly can. I always recommend to people, especially if they've never had a dog before, that they do actually participate in a training program.”
PetSmart partners with local shelters to help get pets adopted. The Athens location is currently working with the Athens and Hocking County Humane Societies, Friends of the Shelter Dogs and SPOT in Morgan County.
Hammond also said there are some key things he thinks every pet owner should do.
“I want to always encourage people to adopt and spay and neuter your pets,” he said.
According to Rover.com, owners can expect to spend anywhere between $120-435 per month on their dog. This includes vet bills, grooming, food and toys. This will also depend on the size of the dog.
Bunn said even through the occasional struggles, she does not regret getting a puppy.
“I'm a dog lover,” she said. “She makes me so happy. I can't imagine a life without her anymore. So as somebody who loves being around animals and pets, it's actually one of the best decisions I made.”
