10 Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make

People love their dogs, but being a pet parent is not all cuddles and games of fetch. It comes with lots of responsibility. To avoid falling into any bad habits, new and experienced dog owners alike should freshen up on etiquette. Are you guilty of making any of these common mistakes?

Picking the Wrong Dog (Or Getting a Dog Before You're Ready)

Getting a dog on impulse is pretty easy to do. It can be so hard to resist those puppy-dog eyes, especially when it's a dog in need of a home. However, there are many practical decisions to make before you decide that a dog is the one for you. To name just a few:

• Can and will you take the necessary time for dog training, exercise, other activities,bonding, etc.?
• Are you willing to put up with shedding, messes, illnesses, behavior problems, and more?
• Can youaffordthe dog?
• Is the dog's size appropriate for your living space?
• Are you even ready to own a dog? Or, to own another dog (if you already have a dog)?
• Will your current pets tolerate the addition?

在你面前问自己这些以及更多的问题risk getting a dog that will be unhappy(or that will make you unhappy).

Dismissing Training and Socialization

Every dog needsbasic training and socialization．Some need more than others, but they all needsome．If you decide not to train your dog, you are putting it at a disadvantage. How will it know the rules? What kind of structure and guidance are you providing? Don't think of training as a chore. When donepositively, training is fun and enriching for dogs.

Socialization allows a dog to get used to things in the environment, such as children, other adults, other animals, objects, environments, and various situations. Without proper socialization, dogs can develop fears and phobias. Even worse, the lack of socialization can lead to an array of behavior problems.Socialization is not just for puppies. You cansocialize your adult dog, too!

Want to bring your dog out on the town? A well-trained, well-socialized dog will be more welcome in public places that allow pets, such as parks, restaurant patios, and even some businesses. Also, your friends and family are more likely to invite you to bring your dog to events if it is well-behaved and well-adjusted.

Not Offering Enough Exercise and Activity

Exerciseis abasic needfor every dog. Lack of exercise can lead tohealth problemsand behavior issues.Some dogs need more exercise than others, but most need more than simple walks.

Assess your dog's activity needs. Is your dog restless and bored? Does your dog seem hyperactive and excited all the time? Is your dog overweight?These are all signs that it needs more exercise.

Dogs need mental stimulation, too.Try exercise that involvesgamesto give your dog well-rounded activity. Many dogs will benefit from involvement indog sports, of which there are plenty to choose from. Physically active dogs might enjoyagility．Hounds and other curious sniffers usually lovenose workortracking．

Avoiding the Veterinarian

Are you one of those people who wait until your dog is sick to go to the vet? Well, you're not alone. A lot of dog owners skip or put off routine vet visits unless something is going on with their dogs. You may think, "my dog is healthy and feeling great, why should I stress him out with a vet visit?" Dog owners often want to avoid the cost and inconvenience of a vet visit.

Reality check: This is not the best way to treat your dog. Your veterinarian is a key part ofkeeping your dog healthy．大多数狗会隐藏疾病,直到它变得超窄带earable. Routine wellness exams can allow vets to detect small health issues before they become big problems. These vet visits also help foster the relationship you and your dog have with your vet, making it easier to diagnose and treat illness when it comes along. In addition to wellness visits, you should listen to your vet's recommendation about things such as heartworm prevention.

When your dog is showingsigns that something is not right, don't wait for it to get worse. Contact your vet for advice before it becomes something serious.

Skipping Heartworm Prevention

TheAmerican Heartworm Societystrongly recommends year-roundheartworm preventionfor all dogs in all 50 states. Your vet will make the same recommendation, but it's not to turn a profit. It's because heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease.Caused by an infestation of the parasiteDirofilaria immitis, heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and can affect any dog anywhere in the United States.

You may say, "if heartworm disease can be treated, why bother with costly prevention?" If you think heartworm prevention is expensive, then you have never needed to pay forheartworm treatment．The heartworm treatment protocol may cost as much as $1,000–$1,500, and your dog can easily be reinfected in the future. Monthly heartworm prevention will cost about $35–$250 per year depending on the size of the dog and the brand of prevention.

In addition to cost, heartworm treatment is risky for dogs, especially older dogs or those with other health issues. Talk to your vet and you'll realize that heartworm prevention is the better choice.

Neglecting Dental Health

许多人认为“狗的呼吸”是也mal thing. In truth, halitosis is a sign of some kind of dental disease. It may be as simple as some tartar buildup in your dog's mouth. However, left unchecked, this can becomeperiodontal disease, leading to tooth loss and even systemic diseases such as kidney failure and heart disease.

How can you prevent this?Home dental careis key. In a perfect world, everyone would brush their dogs' teeth daily. In real life, many of us have trouble keeping up with it. If possible, our best option is to commit to a tooth-brushing routine. You can also use a good dental home care product (ask your vet for recommendations), but it won't take the place of brushing. Either way, you should plan for regular veterinary dental cleanings.

如果你决定,家庭护理不是给你的,know that a professional veterinary dental cleaning is inevitable. Even with excellent home care, most dogs will occasionally need a veterinary dental cleaning (maybe every few years or less). Without tooth brushing, but with another type of home care, the need for veterinary cleaning will be a little more frequent. Without any type of home care, your dog will need a veterinary dental cleaning about one to two times per year.

Feeding Improperly

When it comes to feeding your dog,do you know the basics? All dog foods are not created equal. Before buying dog food, check labels and read reviews. Talk to your vet and other dog experts. Remember the following:

• Ingredients matter.Over a lifetime, improper feeding can lead to health issues, includingskin problemsand malnutrition.
• Don't overfeed.Food is not love.Canine obesityis a problem, and it's partly due to overfeeding.If your dog is overweight and you are feeding the amount recommended on the bag, then you probably need to reduce it. Talk to your vet about the best diet plan for your dog.
• Be selective with treats and chews.Somedog chewscan be dangerous, and somehuman foodsaretoxicto dogs.Choose appropriatetreatsthat your dog loves, but feed them in moderation. Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily intake.

Failing to Budget for Dog Expenses

Dog ownership costs money. Sometimes it's a lot of money. Make sure your budget includes all of the routine costs associated with dog ownership, such as food,dog supplies, and veterinary care. Don't forget extras, such as the need to take a training class or the cost to hire apet sitterwhen you travel. If money is tight, you can find ways to save money on dog expenses, but you still need a budget.

Next, allow for the unexpected. Are you ready in case of anemergencyor unexpected injury/illness? Emergency vets cost a lot more than your regular vet, but that's how they can be open at 3 a.m. Even regular vets have to charge a lot for their time in working with medical emergencies and serious medical treatments. To stay in business, veterinary offices need payment at the time of services. Therefore, it's important to have the funds or some kind of plan in place in case you need sudden veterinary care.

Letting Behavior Problems Get out of Control

Behavior problemsin dogs may start small, but most will get worse. Ignoring the issues will let them fester and grow. Worse, you might unconsciously reinforce bad behavior in your dog. Giving a treat to an aggressive dog tells that dog that it is doing the right thing.

Fear and phobiasare also sometimes overlooked or minimized. Phobias tend to get worse over time and can lead to other behavior problems or even health issues. Behavior modification, not punishment, can help to address these issues.

Don't let these issues continue. When issues are just starting, you may be able to address them quickly. Sometimes the solution is in a book or on a website (just be sure it's a trusted source; ask your vet and do your research). If problems escalate,find a professionalto help your dog before it gets out of control.

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Risking a Lost Dog

Dogs are lost every day. Some are even stolen. Are you taking the necessary steps toprotect your dog? Some things are obvious, such as keeping your dog on a leash and not leaving it unattended. Also, if your dog is lost, do you knowwhat to do?

Here's one of the worst mistakes owners can make: you put a collar on a dog but neglect to add an ID tag. Your dog should wear a collar at all times with current identification. Also, considermicrochippingyour dog for an added layer of protection. This can help you become reunited with your dog if it's lost. Otherwise, your dog may become one more homeless pet in an overcrowded shelter.