If you are new to the world of pet ownership, it can be hard to know what you should and should not do for their welfare. Some things are obvious, such as never leaving your dog in a hot car, but when it is appropriate to give your dog treats, for example, can be a bit trickier to work out.
With that in mind, below are a few things you should never do to your dog if you want them to be as healthy, happy, and well trained as possible. So you can give your pup the best start as your pet.
1. Feed them treats just because
Yes, your dog may be cute and you might think he deserves a treat, but it’s not in his best interests, as the great dog trainers at All Dogs Unleashed will tell you, to simply give your dog a treat whenever you feel like it., Why? Because not only is he likely to get fat, but it will be much harder for you to train him, and trained dogs feel safer and happier than untrained ones. At least make him do a tick before you hand over that tasty chunk of meat. As long as he has a good chicken dog food (or whatever his favorite meat is), then he will be getting all the nutrition he needs.
2. Use a retractable leash
Retractable leashes are really common, but it is not a good idea to use them because they make it harder for you to keep your dog under control so if he is in danger of running into…well danger or gets into a fight with another fog, for example, it will be much more difficult for you to pull him back and keep everyone safe. A regular leash will give you much more control which is why it should be your first choice.
3. Give him human medications
Okay, so dogs can be treated with some human medications, but you should never do so without first being prescribed that medication by a veterinarian. You need to be sure you have the exact right medication and dosage for your dog and you just don’t get that when you buy meds over the counter with no veterinarian input. It really isn’t worth the risk.
4. Neglect his teeth
Brushing a dog’s teeth is not always easy so many people end up rarely if ever brushing their dog’s teeth, but this means they are highly likely to suffer from periodontal disease as they get older and not only does that cause a lot of tooth pain but life can get hard for your pet when he can no longer use his mouth to puck things up so easily. If you can’t care for his teeth yourself, book him in for regular dental treatments at the vet’s office.
5. Leave him alone for long periods
Dogs are social animals and they need to be around people. Leaving your dog for long stretches will lead to depression, boredom, anxiety, and bad behavior. If you have to be out of the house for long periods, find a doggy daycare where he can have fun.
If you can avoid doing these things to your dog, then you stand a much better chance of doing what is right for him or her, and a happy pup makes for a happy owner!