There are things that we do that we are unaware that we do it incorrectly. We thought that the things we commonly do everyday is correct until we are consciously told by someone that it is not right.
With our pets, we often do things that we think are good for them. There are some human foods that we thought are okay to give to our pets but what we do not know is that these can poison them. Sometimes, there are physical activities that we would like to do with our pets but we don’t bother to check if it is okay with them or not. And often, there are some things that we neglect to do as pet owners for the benefit of our dogs.
Let’s see some common mistakes that we do with our pets.
No ample time for outdoor activities
Many dogs don’t have enough time outside. This is because there are some cities or places that lack areas that allow dogs to be in. Sometimes, we cannot do something about it. But what is important is to get some work that will fit your lifestyle and find ways to assure that your dog gets enough time outside. As animals, they love nature and they love being outside. Not letting them enjoy outdoors can lead to behavioral and medical issues. An average dog needs at least 40 minutes of outdoor activities a day.
Not giving them any kind of training
It is the owner’s main responsibility to train your pet. We may shower our dogs with love and affection, but it is important for you to know that dogs need rules, boundaries, and orders. Training your dog will make your lives easier and will improve the dog’s quality of life.
Not using the crate properly
We use crates to housebreak a new dog but we should not use it to punish our pets. Average time for puppies in a crate should be three to four hours. And for adult dogs, the maximum you can go is eight hours. Do not use crates for dogs who have separation anxiety. They will try to escape and they may end up hurting themselves.
Ignoring the breed
It is very important to familiarize yourself to which dog breed will suit your needs and lifestyle. You should also consider the behavior and traits of a certain breed before deciding to get a pet. Do not choose a dog just by their outside appearance.
Giving them too much treats
We sometimes give treats to our dogs without having them work for it. Though it can make our dogs happy but this will lose the importance of having a treat in training. We only give them treats, if they earned it, such as when they obey your command or they show good behavior.
Being inconsistent
If there are other people living with you, make sure that everyone has the same knowledge and treatment to the do’s and don’ts for your dog. Different signals can get your dog confused and it can cause behavioral issues. Don’t give exceptions because they don’t understand it. If you don’t allow them go inside the room, make them go out if they sneak in.
Punishing them without thinking
It is not effective to punish a dog if they did a mistake. It will not correct the act but it can make your dog fearful. If you catch your dogs in the middle of doing something that supposedly they should not do, say a firm “No!” so they would understand that it is a mistake and will not do it again.
