ARPO - Advocates for Responsible Pet Ownership in Nova Scotia

Educational Handouts from

Advocates for Responsible Pet Ownership!

These are all direct links to pdf (adobe acrobat files) to download -

Adopting a dog - great handout from the NS SPCA

A really great handout - what is a resident dog vs a family dog

ARPO believes that responsible rescues are the best place to get your next companion animal - and this handout lists most of the local rescues in Nova Scotia

In order to shut down puppy mills - we've got to stop giving any of our money to pet stores that sell live animals - this handout lists all of the local stores that sell pet supplies that don't sell any live animals - buying your pet supplies at stores that sell live animals is completely unnecessary! We can shut down puppy mills with our money power!

Part of being a responsible dog owner is being a good citizen - and knowing the rules at our local multi-use parks - this handout talks about the rules at our local off-leash multi-use parks in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Poop is a HUGE deal to non-dog owners - and we've got to acknowledge that!

There is good dog training - and then there is dog training that is not so good - ARPO believes in completely positive, non punitive training methods - and we are very lucky to have some trainers locally who teach with principles that are wonderful - this handout lists some of those principles and contact names of some trainers we believe are also wonderful.

"Buyer beware" is all about making sure that you know what you're getting when you purchase a purebreed dog - do your research when you're looking at breeders so you won't be disappointed - or heartbroken. You're buying a living thing - not a refrigerator.

Barking can be a problem for any dog owner - whether the dog is inside or outside -- this handout has suggestions that will work for anyone.

Building a relationship with your dog is important - and here's a great article about doing just that.

This is a great pamphlet when you're starting to look for a new dog - from no puppy mills Canada - great general information

How to find a responsible breeder - and what is one - from no puppy mills Canada - a super pamphlet

What is responsible dog ownership - from no puppy mills Canada - another great read

You don't have a bad dog - you've got a normal dog - a SUPER article from the "Responsible dog Scouts of America" - about how to train your dog positively, and what is a normal dog - and how what you're probably going through isn't all that bad after all - a MUST read!

If you can't buy a puppy at a pet store or from the back of a van - where CAN you buy your animals locally? This handout gives you some ideas for getting good pets locally.

If you have any ideas on things to add to these handouts - email us at arpolistens@gmail.com

Thanks!