Having a pup of your own is just about one of the most rewarding and satisfying things you can do in life. Many people jump at the opportunity to adopt or buy a dog, without realizing that it’s also a huge responsibility.
Most of the time, we are bound to make small mistakes whether it’s a sneaky piece of toast in the morning or stepping on their tail. Nobody is perfect.
Just like raising a child, there are many things that you can forget about and mistakes you can make that can have serious consequences.
Make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your pup happy and healthy by avoiding the following things at all times:
Leaving them alone in the car
You should never, ever leave your dog alone in the car. Overheating can kill dogs very quickly, even when the windows are cracked. If you can’t tie your dog up outside or bring them with you where you go, leave it at home. In some states it’s actually illegal to do and you could be hit with some serious fines.
Showing affection at the wrong times
Your dog will never learn right from wrong if you smother them with love right after they do something naughty. Sometimes they are hard to resist, and affection is certainly not a bad thing – but you need to be showing it at the right times to help them learn the difference between good and bad behavior.
Overfeeding them
Overfeeding can put you dogs health at risk and it can be very difficult for them to lose the weight once it’s there. You should be feeding your dog a balanced diet with plenty of exercise.
Allowing poor walking behavior
Make sure your pup knows that you’re the boss when you’re walking. They shouldn’t be walking you. Be in control and make sure you are teaching them how to obey road rules to discourage erratic and dangerous behavior.
Forgetting about dental care
Just like humans, dogs need regular dental care. Disease and infections can happen easily if your dog goes without proper dental care, so make sure your pup receives regular check-ups.
Neglecting to neuter or spay them
Neglecting to neuter your dog is irresponsible and dangerous. Overpopulation is a huge issue for many dog shelters around the country and thousands of dogs are killed every year as a result of it so do what you can to stop this issue from worsening.
Using the wrong type of collar
There are different types of collars for different dog breeds. For instance, those with shorter snouts can become injured with neck collars and require harnesses instead. Do your research to avoid injury.
Feeding them dangerous food
We all give our pups a sneaky snack of our food from time to time. This is okay occasionally. However, some human food is poisonous for dogs like chocolate, onion, and chili – so be sure to do your research first.
Hitting them
You should never hit your dog unless you wish to diminish your relationship with them. This form of punishment will likely make them more aggressive and lower their confidence. Use positive reinforcements instead and when necessary try lowering your voice in an assertive and stern way.
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Using crates as punishment
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Putting your dog in a cage for punishment will make them an undesirable place which can become troublesome if you choose to use a cage for car drives or sleeping. They will be reluctant to enter them, making your life far more difficult should you ever need to use them.
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