It’s highly unlikely that you’re interested in bringing a pet into your home in order to provide them with a less-than-ideal quality of life. No, pretty much all worthwhile pet owners are interested in enjoying time with their little furry friends, considering them part of the family, and treating them as such.
Sure, pets like dogs may have a different standard of living perhaps a little less refined than humans (odds are your dog doesn’t have a full-sized human bed, eats from a bowl on the floor, and isn’t pampered like a celebrity toy dog is), but the truth is that with diligent care, good observation, and providing the right utilities, your dog can enjoy a fantastic life and share a wonderful time with you.
That said, it’s important to note that even well-meaning dog owners can make mistakes, either through a lack of experience, a misjudged decision, or not understanding a particular breed in comparison to their last pet.
In this post, we’ll discuss some easy mistakes even well-meaning dog owners can make:
Feeding Dogs The Right Food
Your beloved pooch might give the impression that he’d eat anything given half the chance to do so; but he can’t and he shouldn’t. That’s why it’s important to note only look over the ingredients and foods to never feed him lest he suffer health issues, but also how to cultivate the best nutrition for his breed.
Chicken dog food and similar products like it are fantastic, because they consider the full nutritional needs of the dog and curate easily-digestible foods around that. This way, if your dog develops any health issues or fluctuates in weight to an unhealthy level, you can be absolutely sure – alongside your pre-approved diet plan – that his diet isn’t a contributing factor.
Inconsistent Training Problems
Dogs can pretty much always learn new tricks with some diligence and care. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’ll pick up everything in a matter of moments. It also means that dogs can become quite confused if you’re not careful or consistent in how you teach them.
Let’s say that you’ve shown boundaries by not allowing them to jump up on your bed at night. This is in the interest of hygiene, and of course, your partner takes up enough of your double duvet anyway. However, your partner might not think it’s that big of a deal, and so lets him.
This inconsistency can be hard for the dog to understand. They may not know why you’re denying them when their other owner seems happy to subvert that lesson. Always set the ground rules as a couple and agree on exactly how your dog is to be trained, it will allow you to remain consistent and set your boundaries well.
Overexercising
Dogs do get overexcited and sometimes they get the “zoomies,” when they run around aimlessly to burn off their excitement. However, that doesn’t mean your dog is an all-star natural athlete. This is especially true of small dogs.
Sometimes, going on too many walks, allowing them to go up and down the stairs as little puppies, and winding them up too frequently can cause them to overexercise, which can lead to joint issues, abnormal growth, and unnecessary weight loss. For some dogs, a moderated amount of exercise is essential, but not to breed them as working or hunting dogs as some other breeds can be. Make sure you know the limits of your dog and only subject them to the activity they need.
Lack Of Mental Stimulation Or Too Much Alone-Time
Some dogs are quite intelligent, but let’s face it, they’re not going to sit down and pen a novel or compose an aria anytime soon. That’s why unlike you, they probably can’t occupy themselves that well when alone.
That’s why it’s healthy to provide them with the stimulation they need. If you’re going to leave them at home during your workday, at least make sure you have two dogs so they can play, a plethora of toys, room for them to sleep, and even a doggy door so they can run around in the garden.
If you’re only planning to have one dog, then it’s important to make sure there’s someone in the house at least most of the time. That might involve your children coming back from school early, your friends or relatives coming around to walk the dog or play with them, or however else your home is arranged. It will give them the comfort and reassurance they need to thrive.
With this advice, you’re sure to avoid the easy mistakes even well-meaning owners can make.
What do you think?