4 Mistakes That New Dog Owners Make
Owning a dog is a big responsibility but a lot of people underestimate just how much work it’s going to be. They think about all of the amazing things about being a dog owner, but they don’t consider all of the duties and responsibilities that they have to take on. But you have to remember that you have a duty to care for that dog and make sure that they are happy and healthy, so you need to know how to look after them properly. Unfortunately, a lot of dog owners are unprepared and they make some basic mistakes that can really impact their dog. It’s important that you know what those mistakes are so you can avoid making them as well.
These are some of the most common mistakes that dog owners make.
Getting A Dog Before They Are Ready
This is a very common mistake because people love to think about all of the positives of owning a dog like playing with them and taking them out for walks, but they don’t think about the other realities like vet bills or finding somebody to look after them when they go away. A dog makes a big impact on your lifestyle and you have to consider them in everything that you do. You can’t simply leave the house for an extended period without worrying about them, even if it’s just for a day. You need to make sure that you are there to walk them every day, and you can’t just skip days because you are busy. You need to make sure that you can handle the financial side as well because vet bills can be expensive if your dog has a serious illness. It’s vital that you think about whether you are ready to get a dog before you jump into it. Consider the changes that you will have to make to your lifestyle and think about whether you are really prepared to make those sacrifices yet.
Choosing The Wrong Dog
As well as thinking about whether you are ready to get a dog at all, you need to think about the type of dog. Different breeds have different care needs and you need to find a dog that suits your lifestyle. For example, you don’t want to buy a big Dalmatian that needs lots of exercise if you live in a small house and you do not have anywhere nearby to take them on long walks. It’s important that you research dogs and find out exactly what their care needs are before you decide. There are plenty of low maintenance breeds that don’t require as much of your attention, so if you have a busy life, that’s a much better option.
Picking The Wrong Food
People assume that pet food companies know what they’re doing and the big brands will produce food that is healthy for your pet. But in reality, it’s much like human food. A lot of those big brands sell food that is pumped full of additives and it doesn’t have much nutritional value. Even a lot of the ones that are marketed as healthy are no different, so you need to check the ingredients. Make sure that you find food which has a short ingredients list, and only contains natural foods. If there is a long list of strange ingredients that you have never heard of, that’s a bad sign. You should also consider the breed and the specific health needs of the dog. For example, if you have a terrier that is over 10 years old, you should be buying senior Rat Terrier dog food instead of generic food. Their nutritional needs vary depending on their age, their breed, and whether they are overweight or not, so it’s vital that you take this into consideration when choosing their food.
Not Socializing Properly
Socializing your dog is a very important step in their development, but a lot of dog owners don’t dedicate enough time to it. When you socialize your dog, it allows them to get used to different environments, different people (especially children), other animals, and strange objects. If you do this when they are very young, they will take all of it on board and they will not be afraid of these things when they get older. But if you neglect to socialize them properly, they are likely to have a lot of phobias. They will also develop a lot of behavioral problems, so you need to make socialization a priority.
It’s important that you avoid these mistakes when you are raising your dog because they can have a big impact on their health and happiness.
