Dogs really are a man’s best friend. They make us laugh, keep us company, and just make life better. Everyone should own a dog. In fact, some people argue that everyone should own a couple of dogs.
Taking care of a dog isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Dogs are a lot of work, but they give back a whole lot of love. Providing proper care will make a dog happier and help the two of you bond. That means knowing the do’s and don’ts of pet ownership.
Dog lovers know many of the right things to do with their pets like give them love, food, and shelter. However, there are some things you don’t want to do with your dogs. Here are a few things you should avoid if you own a dog.
- Feed Them Too Much
Sure, your dog looks cute when begging for food, but overfeeding can be bad for his health. Dogs don’t always know when they have had enough. Follow a good feeding schedule so they get plenty of food but not too much.
2. Not Keeping Our Dog Secure When In The Car
Your dog will enjoy going for a car trip with you, especially if he has found that this sometimes ends up at a desirable location.
The first thing you do when you are about to drive the car is fasten your restraint, but what about your dog?
If your car was involved in a collision, your dog would be thrown through the air. This can cause serious injury to him and to you.
Show the same consideration for your dog’s safety as for your own. Investigate dog restraints which are suitable for your dog’s size and age. Make sure he is always fully restrained when travelling in the car.
3. Punishing For Misbehavior
Yelling at your dog when he has done something wrong or punishing him in some other way is the worst way of training him. Dogs aren’t intentionally bad and often, they don’t understand what is required of them. Sometimes, the punishment is dealt out sometime after the incident which caused it. Typically, a dog owner will arrive home and find that the dog has done something wrong. Their immediate reaction is to punish their dog. Dogs live in the moment and will not realise exactly what they are being punished for. The yelling and punishment are serving as an outlet for the owners anger rather than as a method of improving the dogs behavior.
A much better approach is to teach your dog what is expected of him. The best method of doing this is to use positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement requires patience and persistence but it gets results. It also helps to build a strong bond between the owner and the dog.
4. Not Taking Your Dog To The Vet For Regular Checkups
Regular veterinary check ups for dogs are essential. At least once a year your dog should be thoroughly checked. This examination should include your dog’s teeth.
This check up will normally involve assessment of your dog body condition, his skin and hair, his gait – is there any lameness of asymmetry and his alertness and general appearance.
The vet will also look at his eyes, ears and nose, check his abdomen for discomfort or swelling, listen to his heart rate and lungs using a stethoscope and give him a rectal examination.
In the time leading up to the visit to the vet you should make notes of any changes in your dog’s behavior or appearance. Discuss these with your vet.
5. Take Them on The Same Boring Walks
You might have a morning or evening routine walking your dog but he needs you to mix things up. Dogs love to explore and learn new things. Try taking different routes and going new places to make walks a little more exciting for your pup.
6. Confuse Them with Affection
Your dog needs to learn right from wrong but he can’t do that if you give him affection while he is in trouble. If your dog has done something wrong, don’t snuggle or hug him, even if he gives you a pitiful look. Be firm so your dog can learn the rules and get in trouble less often.
7. Allow Them to Pull You
When you walk your dog, you should lead, not the other way around. Never let your dog pull you. Make sure you show the dog who is in charge so that the walks get much easier for both of you.
8. Forget to Spay or Neuter
Besides helping to cut down on overpopulation, spaying and neutering a pet can make them calmer and even healthier. Talk to your vet about the best time to spay or neuter your dog. They may not like it at first but it will make a big difference for them in the long run.
9. Feeding Them Human Food
Humans seem to love sharing their food with their dogs. While this is fine in principle, we should think about exactly what we’re doing. If we are feeding a dog a balanced diet with sufficient nutrition and calories for his daily needs, he should not be given anything extra. This includes treats and titbits or leftovers from our own plates. Feeding our dog more than he needs will lead to weight gain and health problems. This is especially true in older dogs.
We should also learn which foods are dangerous for them. Several foods, while perfectly safe for humans are harmful for dogs.
10. Let Kids Jump on Them
Children and dogs might get along but you should never let kids jump on or aggravate them. Even the gentlest dog has a breaking point. Nobody wants to see a child get bitten. Teach your kids how to respect animals so they play nicely with them.
11. Forget to Give Them Water
While watering your dog might seem obvious, remember, they a lot of water, especially on hot days. Without adequate water, they could become dehydrated or have a heat stroke. Make sure your dog always has plenty of fresh water.
12. Put the Dog in a Truck Bed
You might think that the truck bed is a good place for your dog to ride but you’re wrong. The dog could jump out, get thrown out of the truck, or get hurt by all the movement. Put your dog in the cab with you or in a crate or carrier, or tethered in with a leash.
13. Forget to Trim Their Nails
Dogs need to have their nails trimmed regularly. When outside, they wear nails down on hard surfaces but when inside, dogs need to have their nails clipped. This helps dogs walk better and prevents them from scratching themselves.