When you own a dog, you naturally want your pet to be healthy and live a long and happy life. But sometimes you do things that can harm your pet without realizing it.
Dogs are curious, adventurous, and childish, which is good but can also get them into trouble. And we don’t want that to happen. So here are some common mistakes people unintentionally make when caring for their pets.
1. Training Your Dog Forcefully
Yes, your dog needs some training. But that does not give you the right to use force to physically punish him. Any methods that hurt or stress your dog can damage your relationship with him.
Reward-based training is more effective when you are trying to train your dog to be disciplined. It builds trust between the puppy and his parent and helps the dog learn the desired behavior.
2. Wrong choice of collar
First of all, you need to choose the right collar. This decision is very important and also quite individual.
There are different types of collars, and you need to choose the one that best suits your puppy’s needs and personality, as well as where the license will be placed.
Flat collar
This type is the most common and can be found in any pet store. It comes with a clasp, so you can change the length of the collar to your taste and with the growth of your puppy.
Breakaway collar
This type is designed for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors. It comes off as soon as there is a risk of suffocation, for example, a collision with a fence or branches.
If your dog is a curious puppy with a spirit of discovery, this collar is perfect for him.
Strap
If your dog is a polar explorer or likes to explore everything he can reach, a harness may be the best option for your furry friend. Collars can seriously injure your dog’s neck if he pulls too hard on the leash, a harness does not cause this problem.
Make sure it is the right size
Regardless of whether you choose a harness or a collar, the second and equally important step is to make sure it fits properly. If the collar or harness is too big, your dog might run away. If it’s too small, he may choke on it.
For small and medium breeds, the general rule is that one finger should be placed between the collar or harness and the dog’s neck. Two fingers should be sufficient for large and extra-large dogs. And don’t forget to check the fit of the harness from time to time, especially if your puppy is still growing.
3. Leaving the dog alone in the car
Never leave your dog alone in the car.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the temperature inside a car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, even if the car is parked in the shade. And even if the outside temperature is a comfortable 60 degrees Celsius, it can get as hot as 110 degrees inside the car.
Dogs do not sweat as much as humans and can overheat much faster than you would think. Since they are unable to cool themselves, parking them in a car can have fatal consequences. Signs of overheating include drooling, excessive shortness of breath and a worried look. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy indicate a life-threatening emergency. In this case, the dog should see a veterinarian immediately.
4. Use of physical punishment
Yes, dogs need training, and their handlers need even more training. But corporal punishment is never right. For one thing, it’s just blatant animal cruelty, and for another, it doesn’t work. And it does exactly the opposite of what you want – it makes the dog afraid of you.
Reward-based training is far more effective than physical punishment, and here’s why:
Training based on rewards promotes trust between dog and person. Physical punishment leads to distrust of the person in general.
Reward-based training encourages the dog to behave the way it wants to. However, when a dog is physically punished, it may try to hide, urinate uncontrollably, and freeze in submission because it is scared to death.
Training based on rewards helps the dog learn and perform the desired behavior. However, if the owner uses physical punishment, the dog can only focus on one thought: “This hurts and I don’t like it”.
Think about it, do you like to be beaten or do you like to be encouraged…! You see, dogs are no different from you.
So if your dog is doing something you’d rather they didn’t, enroll them in an obedience school – it’s not only good for you, it’s good for the dog. The best time to do this is when they are still puppies. The concrete hasn’t hardened yet and you can easily teach your dog positive habits and behaviors.
5. Scolding when the dog does something wrong
Yelling is another thing that should never be considered when training a dog. As with physical punishment, it doesn’t work, they don’t understand “NO”, and that makes the dog not only angry.
In this case, the dog will not only be scared but also confused.
6. Dog teeth neglect
You know that a dog’s teeth need to be clean, just like human teeth, and it’s not a matter of aesthetics, it’s a necessity. This is why you should start doing this as soon as you get a puppy to get him used to brushing his teeth.
- In the beginning, or when your dog’s teeth are healthy, three times a week is sufficient. However, it is best to move to daily brushing.
- Do not give your dog treats in the form of chew sticks, which can replace regular brushing. These minty chew sticks do not clean the molars as well as a toothbrush.
- Do not use toothpaste and toothbrushes intended for humans. There are special products for dogs, which are different from those for people.
You’ve probably never tried chicken or beef flavored toothpaste, right?
Dog toothbrushes usually have a smaller head and soft bristles. If you don’t have one, you can use a baby toothbrush, a cotton swab, or even a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. Speaking of which, your pet’s teeth should be professionally cleaned by a veterinarian twice a year, just like a human’s
7. Lack of treatment against fleas, ticks, and worms
Preventive treatment against parasites is extremely important for the dog owner. Some say that flea, tick and worm treatments can be avoided in winter if you live in a cold climate.
However, you should discuss this with your veterinarian. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
8. Let the dog eat everything
The real enemy of dog health is processed food, whether it’s commercial pet food or the industrial products we consume (to our detriment).
In fact, most of the foods we eat are very toxic to dogs, such as candy, chewing gum, and even some diet foods. They contain a special sweetener called xylitol. If your dog ingests it, the blood sugar level can drop, which can lead to liver failure.
The list of foods that can cause serious health problems in your pet is long, but some of them are the most important:
- Coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages
- Grapes and raisins
- Fat bones and scraps
- Salty and sweet foods
You should also avoid giving your dog leftovers from the table at mealtimes. This will instill undesirable begging habits in the dog. Dogs learn very quickly what they are not allowed to do.
9. Too little stimulation
Like you, dogs need constant mental and physical stimulation. Regular walks are essential, especially for working breeds. If you are thinking about getting a dog, consider whether you can meet this need.
Walking your dogs not only gives them much needed exercise, but also introduces them to different sounds and smells. This sensory stimulation makes their brain work better.
When dogs are not sufficiently stimulated, they try to entertain themselves. To the chagrin of owners, this usually leads to them digging, chewing or tearing things.
