Do you have a four-legged friend that often gives you warmth and fuzzies?
Although dogs are loyal companions and absolute cuddle buddies, it is important to remember that they aren’t humans.
We should never do certain things with our human friends ─ such as feeding them unhealthy desserts or forcing hugs ─ on our furry ones.
In this article, we’ll talk about 12 things you should never do to your dog.
Also, you’ll get to know why these mistakes could hurt your dog’s health, happiness, and emotional well-being in the long run.
Don’t Leave Your Dog In The Car On A Hot Day
On a hot day, it’s best to leave your furry friend at home or bring them along with you safely.
Dogs are much more sensitive to rising temperatures than humans and can suffer heat stroke when in extreme conditions.
Leaving your dog in a car with open windows is still no exception.
Regardless of how nice it is outside, leaving your pup alone in an enclosed space can be incredibly dangerous and potentially fatal.
Make sure that you don’t leave your dog behind in vulnerable areas, such as a parked car, if you plan on going out on a summer day.
Don’t Tie Your Dog Up Outside And Leave Him/Her Alone
Leaving your dog outside and unattended can be incredibly damaging to its well-being.
Leaving a dog alone in an unfamiliar place may make the dog anxious and scared, resulting in barking or other disruptive behaviors.
Additionally, a dog left outside could easily escape or become tangled in its restraint, risking injury or even death.
By leaving his/her animal unsupervised, dog owners are placing themselves at legal risk.
Furthermore, the dog may succumb to heat sickness and die if left for too long with no proper shade or water.
Therefore, when deciding what to do with your furry friend during the day, it’s best to err on the side of caution and find another safe and more appropriate option.
This can be doggy daycares or hiring a professional sitter.
Ultimately, keeping your beloved pup at home is important to keep him/her happy and healthy.
Don’t Hit Or Kick Your Dog
Animals can be just as emotional as humans, so they must be treated with love, respect, and kindness.
Hitting or kicking a dog is unacceptable and can lead to physical and psychological damage to the animal.
Physical abuse of a dog can lead to fear-related aggression, anxiety, and depression.
These issues can be very difficult to reverse.
Instead of responding with violence, try using positive reinforcement methods whenever possible when training your pet.
Even if your dog’s behaviors seem frustrating at times, remember that they simply don’t know what you do in most circumstances.
Compassion and patience are key when working with animals to ensure their health and happiness!
Don’t Allow Your Dog To Roam Free In Dangerous Areas- Keep Them On A Leash Or In A Fenced-In Area
While it can be tempting to let your pup run freely in seemingly innocuous areas, allowing a dog to roam free can land them in considerable harm’s way.
Dogs are naturally curious, and they don’t always know that some neighborhoods can be dangerous because of cars that haven’t seen them or other animals that live there.
Also, there are risks in places where people live. They could get into fights with larger dogs that have become wild, or they could wander onto unattended property and cause problems.
Keeping a dog in a secure fenced-in area is the best way to keep them out of such difficult situations, even if it severely damages playtime freedoms. Protecting your furry pal should always be a top priority!
Don’t Let Your Dog Swim In Polluted Water
Swimming is a great way for your pup to cool off in the summer, but the water can be dangerous if it’s not clean.
Exposure to pollutants found in certain bodies of water can be harmful or fatal for our furry friends.
These pollutants come from untreated sewage, farm waste runoff, and industrial chemicals.
Before letting your dog go in the water, research pollution levels and advisories issued by your local government.
To be safe, it’s best to find a spot where you’re familiar with cleanliness standards and have access to free water.
Don’t Neglect Your Dog’s Basic Needs, Such As Feeding, Watering, And Walking
Taking proper care of your dog should always be prioritized, and the most basic necessity is food, water, and exercise.
Your dog’s diet should be healthy, and the ratio of proteins, carbs, and fat should be sufficient.
Additionally, to ensure optimal hydration levels, it is important to provide clean drinking water at all times.
Exercise is essential to your pet’s well-being as physical activity can help release energy while strengthening their muscles.
To that effect, aim to take them out on regular walks so they can explore the outdoors and get some fresh air.
All these requirements are easy to fulfill with a little bit of effort.
Neglecting any of these needs can have serious repercussions for your dog’s health and quality of life, which is why it is important to never forget about their basic needs!
Don’t Allow Children To Torment Or Mistreat Dogs
No one should stand by and allow children to abuse or mistreat animals, especially dogs.
The consequences of such actions can be physical and psychological for the dog.
When a child is physically aggressive toward an animal, it can cause physical harm and lead to long-lasting fear and trauma in the animal.
Even worse, the behavior sets a bad example for other children who are watching. They might think it’s okay to treat animals in the same way.
Children should learn early on how to treat animals with respect so they know what is expected of them and are comfortable around dogs as adults.
We can make sure that our beloved pets are treated with kindness, respect, and love if we all work together as a society.
Don’t Use Cruel Training Methods Like Shock Collars Or Choke Chains
When training your dog, you want the best for them and, in turn, the best outcome.
Using cruel methods like shock collars or choke chains provide a negative experience for your animal, with effects lingering long after the deed is done.
Not only are these methods questionable from an ethical standpoint, but studies have confirmed that animals trained this way show more signs of stress than those who weren’t.
Modern evidence suggests that positive reinforcement is far better for trainers and their dogs, so why not make the switch today?
Training should be a pleasant process for your dog and yourself.
Take some time to learn about reward-based techniques and use resources that focus on trust and respect to nurture a healthy and successful environment for you both.
Don’t Get A Dog If You Can’t Commit To Taking Care Of It Properly
Owning a dog dog is an amazing experience, but it is important to remember that they are living beings that require regular attention and care.
If you want to get a dog but know that you won’t have the time or resources to ensure it gets the love, exercise, and medical attention it needs, then you should reconsider.
It can be heartbreaking for both parties when a dog owner realizes that they just can’t keep up with taking proper care of their pup.
Do yourself and the furry one you were thinking of adopting a favor—be honest and realistic about your life before taking on another responsibility.
Not Having Regular Checkups With The Veterinarian
Not having regular checkups with the veterinarian for your dog could lead to serious health problems that may arise over time.
Untreated health problems can be painful and expensive to fix in the future, so it’s important to get your dog vaccinated on time and have your vet check on him or her regularly.
Many illnesses can be treated before they get worse and could be life-threatening if they are caught early.
You can also keep your dog’s vaccination records up to date and work with a vet to make sure your dog gets enough food and exercise.
In addition, taking a proactive approach to dental care will help maintain good oral and heart health.
All in all, you must visit the vet regularly for a thorough checkup.
If you neglect to do so, you may pay more in the long run for preventable treatments or medications for more serious health issues.
Don’t Ignore Your Dog
It’s heartbreaking to watch a loved one suffer, and ignoring them can be one of the most painful experiences for a dog.
Dogs need your attention and support to thrive, so neglect or ignored can hurt their mental and physical health.
Studies show that dogs form strong emotional bonds with their owners.
So if you ignore your pup too often or leave them alone for long periods, it can cause them distress.
Showing your dog love and care creates a healthier bond between the two of you and keeps them feeling safe and secure.
Everyone wants to be appreciated, especially our furry friends – don’t let yours feel forgotten this season.
Don’t Forget To Groom Your Dog
It’s important to remember that grooming your dog means more than just bathing.
It also includes various activities like brushing and combing their fur, trimming nails, and cleaning their ears.
Taking the time to properly care for your pup’s coat, skin health, and hygiene is essential for keeping them happy, healthy, and looking great!
Proper coat maintenance helps prevent matting and tangling, which can cause painful mats that put pressure on the skin.
Brushing regularly will promote a glossy mantle of fur and strengthen the bond between dogs and owners.
Plus, grooming sessions are a wonderful opportunity to bond with your four-legged family member – it shows you care and makes them feel loved.
With regular attention, your pup’s natural good looks will shine through – don’t forget to give them the pampering they deserve!
Before You Go…
You now know the things you should never do to your dog.
If you want to learn more, read the following article too!
