People love their buddies, but being a pet parent is not all cuddles and games of balls. It comes with lots of responsibilities and duties that owners have to do in their routine life. To avoid falling into any bad habits, new and experienced dog owners alike should freshen up on etiquette.
So here are 7 common mistakes a first-time dog owner makes.
1. Improper feeding:- Several pet owners assume that dog food and love are the same things & owners think treats are the only reward for your furry, but one should keep in mind that overfeeding is not love, it will only harm your buddy. Owners should remember that luxurious dog food brands aren’t always a healthy option. While home-cooked dog food can be wholesome, one that isn’t correctly well-balanced for nutrition can do more harm than good. Always remember dogs need healthy, stable diets and lifestyles. Owners can do a bit of research on their dog’s food or seek professional advice from their veterinarian.
2. Escaping the Veterinarian:- Multiple pet owners skip or put off routine vet visits unless something is wrong with their dogs. Owners assume that “my pet is healthy” and “my pet is eating properly”. Why should I visit a vet when my dog is healthy? They often want to avoid the cost that a vet takes but owners should know that this is not the way to treat a dog, as they don’t know that dogs hide their illness until and unless it’s unbearable. A routine check-up can give your dog a healthy lifestyle and can prevent unwanted illnesses.
3. Not providing sufficient exercise:- Pet Owners should know that exercise for dogs is a must to keep them active and healthy. Some breeds of dogs need more exercise than other dogs. Also, lack of exercise can lead to health problems and behaviour issues. Dog owners should keep a check on their dog’s activity. Is your dog active or not? Is your dog overweight? Is your dog hyperactive? These are signs that they need more exercise.
4. Unconcerned about their dental health:– Dog owners assume that bad breath is a normal thing for a dog but in reality, it is a sign that they might be suffering from dental disease. Ignoring their bad breath can lead to dental problems, pain, and infections. If you ever notice or feel that your dog is having bad breath don’t take that for granted, it’s not good for your furry.
5. No house rule:- When we bring a dog home, we unhook the leash and set the dog free without any thought about what we want him to do or not to do. Then when he starts doing the things that we consider as bad, we often punish them for not doing the right thing. Sometimes we allow our pet to do something for a couple of weeks and after that, we change the rules and decide that we don’t want him to do this thing anymore. This will only create confusion in your dog’s mind. In conclusion, before bringing a dog home, decide where he will sleep. What will he eat? How do you want him to behave? etc.
6. Not understanding your dog’s fear:– First-time dog owners often label their puppy or dog as stubborn. They will often say that their dog is not friendly, and their dog doesn’t mix up with children. Still, in a lot of cases, the dog isn’t being stubborn, they just don’t know how to behave in an anxious situation. Not being able to know your own dog’s fear is the most common mistake a dog owner makes.
7. Leaving your dog for a longer period of time: – Leaving a dog alone at home for more than four hours at a time is never a good thing. A dog that has no habit of living on its own, not used to being away from its owners, might get separation anxiety. They may indulge in destructive behaviour like chewing, digging, barking, howling etc, which can be highly distressing to your neighbours as well.
In conclusion – Love your dog to the fullest but know that discipline, exercise, and lots of home rules should be there so that your dog lives a happy and healthy lifestyle. You are their home, be a safe one.
