There are currently 78.2 million dogs in the United States according to the Humane Society, and with a dog’s unconditional love and loyalty come responsibilities. When it comes to these everyday tasks, they should be taken very seriously—especially for your pup’s sake and for everyone around you. We all know how much you love your furry companion, but even the most caring Dog Moms and Dads make mistakes sometimes!
Here are 10 things you should never do to your dog!
1. Leave your dog alone in the car.
Even when the weather is relatively cool, a car can quickly become a greenhouse of sorts and cause your dog to become overheated and sick. If left alone for too long, a dog can even die. No matter the weather or season, a dog alone in a car is a target for thieves. Dogs should never be left alone in an unattended vehicle!
2. Leave your dog outside or live on a chain.
Yes, all dogs should have access to the outdoors but never leave your pup in your yard while you’re at work. Especially chained up, in the hot sun, or during the cold winter months. This goes for long stretches in the car, too. It’s abusive, and the consequences could be dire!
3. Neglect your dogs teeth.
Daily tooth brushing is advised for dogs and cats and only 2 percent of dog owners follow through! In addition, 65% of dogs with stage one periodontal disease often go untreated. Always have a veterinarian check your dog’s teeth at least once a year and prior to starting any home-based dental regimen.
4. Hit a dog.
Putting your hand(s) on a dog as a form of punishment is wrong. It will harm your relationship with your dog and prevent proper training! This form of abuse, weakens their confidence and are more likely to lash out.
5. Assume your dog doesn’t have feelings.
Dogs feel—they have emotions and they understand emotions. Recent scientific studies have shown that dogs experience love like humans and can read human emotions based on facial expressions. Dogs have the capacity to love, feel, become depressed, and get excited!
6. Skip veterinary visits.
Some people believe they can self-diagnose their dog’s health problems online and not seek veterinary care. There is a time and a place for online research or to look up additional medical information for a beloved pet. But if a dog acts out of the ordinary or there are any symptoms of poor health, seeking veterinary care is of utmost importance!
7. Use a crate or barricade your dog for the wrong reasons.
If a dog is misbehaving, putting him in a kennel is the wrong response. When you use the crate as a form of punishment, you are teaching your dog that the kennel is a bad place instead of a safe haven. You want being crated to be a positive experience for your dog, so never use it to scold or punish him.
8. Don’t forget to scoop poop.
This is very crucial in busy neighborhoods and cities. It is also very important that you don’t let your dog urinate on someone else’s yard. Urine, especially female dog urine, can create ugly dead spots in lawns. Taking care of business the right way will keep you in good standing in your community!
9. Don’t bring your dog as an uninvited guest.
Your pup could be the most lovable and well behaved pet there is! But, whether its to a restaurant, a store, or to someone’s house, you should never bring your dog somewhere uninvited. Although, this doesn’t mean you always have to leave him at home! There are many dog friendly locations you can search for that are always welcoming with dogs!
10. Don’t let your dog ride in the car with his head out the window.
When a dog is riding out of a car window, something they see can excite him, or encourage them to jump out. You should also be cautious of wind or dirt for it can cause damage to their eyes. Your pup could also hurt his neck if your windows don’t lock or if the window begins to close on accident.
Go out and find yourself a new furry friend today! ADOPT!!
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