Responsible Dog Ownership Program: Its Effects On Awareness, Beliefs and Quality Dog Care

Abstract

This study determined the effects of a responsible dog ownership program on the awareness, beliefs and quality dog care. The study utilized the quasiexperimental design using two group pretest-posttest designs. Eighty dog owners, 40 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group were utilized as participants. After the four weeks intervention and five weeks follow-up, a significant difference was found between the baseline and endline characteristics in the experimental group in terms of awareness, beliefs and quality dog care. However, no significant difference was noted in the control group. The difference in gain score was significant when the experimental and control groups were compared. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in their awareness level, beliefs and quality dog care while the control group did not improve. No significant difference in gain score in both the experimental groups were seen when profile such as age, income, educational attainment, number of owned dogs and breed of dogs were considered. Therefore, the responsible dog ownership program was effective in enhancing awareness, changing false beliefs and improving quality dog care among dog owners exposed to it.