15 things not to do with your dog!
They call them "a man's best friend", but the reverse is not always true. Sometimes, men do not behave like a dog's best friend! This is often due to a lack of knowledge of the animal's needs, a lack of control over their emotions, or bad advice passed down from generation to generation. Certain mistakes can harm the dog's physical and mental health, relationship quality, or hygiene. Discover 15 things not to do with your dog.
3 Things Not to Do When Choosing Your Dog
When you decide to adopt an animal, you have to ask yourself the right questions. You don't choose a dog based on its physical appearance, but on your own ability to meet its needs and live together in harmony.
1: Choosing a breed incompatible with your lifestyle
Each breed has been selected for specific qualities. So, if you choose a Nordic dog that needs exercise when you are not sporty at heart, you risk offering them unsuitable living conditions. They will not do enough sports, and they risk not only becoming obese but also suffering from boredom. Similarly, the Border Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, and the Australian Shepherd are fashionable dogs. Above all, they are Shepherd dogs, made for work. They need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to be happy. Without this, they can develop destructive behaviors or become anxious.
Before choosing a breed, ask yourself what you can offer your dog. If it is only short outings and quiet days, it is better to turn to a so-called "companion" dog.
2: Not planning a sufficient budget to maintain it (or not taking out mutual insurance)
A dog involves expenses:
- Food,
- Veterinary fees,
- Dewormers,
- Flea treatments,
- Coat maintenance,
- Possible dietary supplements,
- Toys and equipment (leash, harness or collar, baskets, possible cold-proof clothing, etc.),
- Garde.
Before adopting, you must define a budget that you can devote to your animal. The larger it is, the more expensive it is to feed! In addition, you must always have money available in case of illness or accident, because the costs can be very high. Otherwise, choose a mutual insurance company that will support you in the event of unpleasant surprises.
3: Don't think about your fate during the holidays.
Every year, shelters and associations are invaded by abandoned dogs. It's a never-ending cycle. In France for example, in the summer of 2023, more than 44,000 abandoned and mistreated animals were counted. The law also punishes such acts with fines of up to 45,000 euros (50370 dollars) and three years in prison.
The puppy enters the home at the beginning of the year, and then, once the holidays arrive, the family finds itself without means of care or budget to have it looked after. However, there are many solutions to offer your dog a vacation at a low cost. In any case, it is critical to consider the possibilities of care during your absences before making any decisions.
There are three things you should never do to keep your dog physically healthy.
4: Too much or not enough feeding, or neglecting the dietary transition
Overfeeding your dog can lead to weight gain, obesity, and even metabolic diseases. You must weigh their food and follow your veterinarian's advice. Not feeding them enough is also problematic and can lead to deficiencies, thinness, and even heart problems. Feeding them poorly means giving them inappropriate foods, such as table scraps, that are not suitable for a domestic carnivore. Furthermore, if you change their diet, you must gradually go through a food transition. Otherwise, you risk causing digestive disorders. The diet must therefore be balanced.
Also, think about hydration! Your dog must have constant access to a bowl of clean, fresh water.
5: Not walking them enough or stimulating them enough
Physical exercise, like games, is not a luxury but a need of the animal. It must benefit from walks that are tailored to its breed, size, and personality. Each dog is a unique individual with different needs. It is up to humans to adapt. Having toys and going out at least three times a day are essential to their physical and mental health.
6: Not having it checked regularly by the vet
Every year, your dog must see the veterinarian, who checks their vaccination record, their diet, and their general condition. The doctor gives you advice on dewormers and antiparasitics and can detect anomalies to be taken care of. This is a must for any dog owner who cares about their companion.
3 Things Not to Do to Maintain Your Canine's Mental Balance
7: Disrespecting your rhythm and sleep
It is strongly advised not to wake a sleeping dog. Sleep is essential for overall good health. Each dog has its own rhythm, and it is necessary to respect it. A dog must sleep between 12 and 14 hours per day, depending on its age. Likewise, they need a sleep routine and it must be taken at regular times.
8: Isolate them from other dogs and humans; lock them up.
The dog is a social animal that needs daily interactions to be balanced. If it does not, it can lead to anxiety disorders or even depression. It can also become aggressive, destructive, or, on the contrary, suffer from irrational fears.
9: Not socializing or educating them
Socialization is essential. When young, the animal must meet all kinds of people, animals, and situations in order, once an adult, to be used to them and not overreact. Likewise, good education, such as responding to basic commands, walking on a leash, and recall, not only ensures its safety but also your peace when you meet other animals or humans. A poorly educated dog creates conflicts with others because it does not understand the limits. This can even have an impact on your daily life at home.
3 Things to Never Do to Maintain Your Canine Companion's Trust
10. Not congratulating or encouraging them.
A dog's trust in their owner is built on the basis of positive interactions. These include praise, petting, and encouragement. Dogs who receive these regularly have lower stress levels and are more willing to learn. Feeling valued makes them more cooperative.
11. Punishment or yelling at them.
Punitive methods have no result. They have proven to be unfavorable for their effects on dogs' morale and loss of confidence. Dogs then tend to be more aggressive. To maintain a dog's confidence, positive reinforcement encourages good behavior without resorting to intimidation or domination.
12: Not paying attention to their distress signals
Dogs communicate a lot of their discomfort through body signals. Denying them prevents them from being soothed when they need it, which leads to a loss of trust in humans. It is always important to respond to a call for help. Read our post on calming signals.
3 Things Not to Do to Ensure Good Hygiene for Your Dog
13: Not maintaining their coat
Not brushing a long-haired dog leads to painful knots and increases the risk of skin problems. Visits to the groomer are essential to maintaining a healthy coat. For a short-haired dog, removing dead hair is also useful for its general hygiene. Brushing activates blood circulation, which is beneficial for the animal. It is also a moment of complicity that strengthens the bond with the owner.
14: Neglecting care of ears, teeth, and eyes
Hygiene helps prevent various infections. In dogs, as in humans, cavities can occur. Mouth care is therefore essential. You can use a toothbrush, a finger cot, or even chicken necks to chew on, as long as it reduces dental plaque. For the ears and eyes, regular use of a wipe specially formulated for this purpose rids the animal of impurities, sources of ear infections, and conjunctivitis.
15: Not deworming or treating them against fleas.
Neglecting deworming exposes your dog to internal parasites that can cause serious health problems. Similarly, fleas and ticks, external parasites, are vectors of disease. All parasites undermine the dog's immunity. It is therefore important to treat your dog regularly, i.e., several times a year, against worms, ticks, and fleas.
A bonus, but an important reminder: DO NOT leave them in the car when it's hot.
This is obvious, and most dog owners know it. However, every year, dogs die of heat in cars, forgotten by their owners. The scenario is as follows: the human leaves for a quick errand, then is diverted by a sudden encounter, a line at the checkout longer than expected, the sight of an object in a store making them forget the dog for a few brief moment, a moment that cost a life.
Sometimes people park their vehicles in the shade, forgetting that the sun is turning, and the car ends up in the heat with the animal inside. Temperatures can rise to oven-like temperatures of over 120 (50 °C) in a matter of minutes, even with the windows slightly open. Never leave your dog in a car as soon as the temperature rises.
Take care of your fluffy friends!
