Even the most experienced guardians in responsible dog ownership make mistakes with their dogs from time to time, whether they are about handling, basic care or the routines to follow. How to identify them? And more importantly, what should we do to fix them?
In this article on our site we will show you the 15 most common mistakes that are made with dogs so you can learn to identify them. You'll find out if you've (or still are) committing any of them, so read on to fix them ASAP.
1. Neglecting the vaccination schedule
Some dog diseases can be fatal, such as parvovirus or distemper, therefore, it is essential that any guardian follows Strictly follow the dog's vaccination schedule when they are puppies or newly adopted dogs that have never been vaccinated.
Once he has reached adulthood, if he received the appropriate vaccinations during his puppy stage, the veterinarian will be the one who recommends how often to vaccinate the dog and which vaccines, since it is not necessary to re-vaccinate every year of all immunizations.
two. Forget the monthly deworming routine
Parasites, both internal and external, are present in virtually every country in the world and can act as vectors of multiple diseases, which can also be spread to humans and vice versa. It is highly advisable to consult with our veterinarian so that he can prescribe the most suitable product for our dog.
Although there are many different presentations, such as pipettes, sprays or necklaces, using a single tablet that offers a double deworming is much more advisable. Don't miss our article on "How to deworm a puppy".
3. Take short walks or, directly, not walk your dog
Dogs should be walked to socialize, sniff and relieve themselves. Generally, it is advisable to take two to three walks a day of at least 30 minutes each. In no case should we deprive them of this routine or force them to urinate in pads because then we will not be guaranteeing their well-being or covering their basic needs. Dogs need to go out, interact with other dogs and, whenever possible, run to exercise and release accumulated tension. Only puppies that are not yet up to date on vaccinations are exempt from these walks for their safety. In any case, it is advisable not to forget the socialization process.
4. Ignore physical exercise needs
In addition to walking, dogs need to exercise to maintain their muscles and correctly channel stressThere are many options, from jogging to playing fetch. It is important to highlight that the exercise must be adapted to each individual, paying special attention during the summer and when the dog is a puppy, elderly or sick.
5. Do not stimulate him mentally
Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise and we can do it through canine training sessions and skills or with the use of toys specific. All of this allows us to keep our dog's mind active, encourage learning, strengthen our bond with him and enrich his day-to-day life
6. Leaving your dog alone in the car
Especially in summer, the interior of the car can overheat and reach high temperatures, which can cause our dog to suffer from heat stroke, a veterinary emergency that can result in deadly if not treated early. In no case will we leave a dog alone in the car.
7. Let him eat all kinds of food
There are some prohibited foods for dogs that we should never offer our dog, such as chocolate, alcohol, onions or grapes These foods can be toxic and even deadly. On the contrary, we can bet on beneficial foods such as meat, fish, carrots or pumpkin.
8. Ignore overweight and obesity
Excess weight in our dogs causes multiple consequences for their he alth, decreasing their longevity and favoring the appearance of heart problems, joint degeneration or diabetes. Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, practicing dog sports and controlling food portions are some basic measures that we can take into account to prevent obesity in dogs.
9. Not spending time on education and training
Education and training are basic pillars in the care of dogs, because only in this way will we ensure that our dog lives in harmony with the environment, be able to respond correctly to our instructions and maintain appropriate behavior.
10. Not socializing puppies
Dog socialization is a stage that begins at four weeks of age and ends around three months. During this period it is essential that the puppy relates to all kinds of people, animals and environments, because only in this way will we be able to avoid the appearance of fears and that the can know how to communicate properly with other individuals.
Of course, it is also possible to socialize an adult dog if we have just adopted him or during his puppy stage we did not know how to do it correctly. Therefore, neglecting their socialization as an adult is also another mistake that is often made with dogs.
eleven. Using physical punishment
The use of punishment during the training or education of the dog is totally counterproductive, because it raises its stress levels, causes lack of attention, damages the bond with the tutor and, furthermore, it is not more effective than the use of positive reinforcement. Instead of punishing behaviors that you don't like, reinforce and enhance those that are appropriate.
12. Expose you to tobacco smoke
Do you know how tobacco smoke affects animals? If you are a smoker you should know that, in addition to rejection, exposure to the substances present in tobacco can cause irritation, respiratory diseases, lung cancer, chronic sinusitis and cardiovascular alterations. Start smoking outdoors whenever possible!
13. Leaving him home alone for a long time
In general, a dog shouldn't spend more than eight hours a day alone, because as they are social animals, this factor it can cause depression and the appearance of various behavioral problems, such as stress and destructiveness. In addition, in our absence, it is ideal that we leave toys and accessories within their reach to enrich the environment and improve their well-being.
14. Forget your hygiene
There are some hygiene routines that we must carry out to keep our dog he althy and prevent the onset of certain diseases. We can highlight brushing, dental hygiene or ear cleaning as the most important, but we should also take regular baths and empty the anal glands when be necessary.
fifteen. Not understanding dog language
Did you know that dogs communicate with us and with other individuals constantly? Many guardians are completely unaware of canine language and calm signals, which causes a lack of empathy and errors in communication Inform us regularly through specialized media basing their content on scientific studies is a great way to get to know our four-legged companions better.
