Owning a dog brings immense joy to people’s lives, but it also entails a great deal of accountability. Hence, both novice and seasoned pet owners need to update themselves with proper etiquettes to steer clear of any negative practices. Have you ever committed any of these frequently observed blunders?
Picking the Wrong Dog (Or Getting a Dog Before You’re Ready)
It’s quite simple to make an impulsive decision to get a dog, particularly when it’s a homeless one with adorable puppy-dog eyes that tug at your heartstrings. Nevertheless, prior to taking the plunge and committing to a dog, there are numerous practical considerations to ponder. Just to highlight a few:
- Can and will you take the necessary time for dog training, exercise, other activities, bonding , etc.?
- Are you willing to put up with shedding, messes, illnesses, behavior problems, and more?
- Can you afford the dog?
- Is the dog’s size appropriate for your living space?
- Are you even ready to own a dog? Or, to own another dog (if you already have a dog)?
- Will your current pets tolerate the addition?
Before putting yourself and a potential pet at risk of unhappiness, consider asking yourself these questions and others before committing to getting a dog.
Dismissing Training and Socialization
Basic training and socialization are crucial for every dog as it helps them acclimatize to their surroundings, which includes children, other adults, objects, environments, and various situations. If not appropriately socialized, dogs develop fears and phobias, leading to severe behavioral problems. It’s essential to note that socialization is not just limited to puppies, and adult dogs can also benefit from socialization.
Not Offering Enough Exercise and Activity
Every dog requires exercise as it is essential. Inadequate exercise may result in health difficulties and improper behavior. While the quantity may differ, most dogs require more than just daily walks.
It is important to provide mental stimulation for dogs. You can incorporate fun and games into their exercise routine to offer a more comprehensive activity. Consider getting your dog involved in dog sports, as there are many options available for you to choose from. For instance, if your dog is physically active, they might enjoy agility. Similarly, if your dog has a curious nature and likes to sniff, they may enjoy nose work or tracking.
Avoiding the Veterinarian
Do you fall in the category of individuals who only take their dogs to the vet when they’re sick? You’re not the only one. Many dog owners disregard routine vet appointments unless there’s a problem with their pets. You might assume that there’s no need to take your dog to the vet if they’re healthy and happy. The cost and hassle of visiting the vet often deter dog owners.
It’s important to face reality: Mistreating your dog is not the optimal way to care for them. Your vet plays a crucial role in maintaining your dog’s health. If you notice any signs that your dog is unwell, it’s better to seek your vet’s counsel sooner rather than later to prevent the condition from worsening.
Skipping Heartworm Prevention
The American Heartworm Society advocates for year-round heartworm prevention for all dogs across the country. Some may question the value of prevention when treatment for heartworm disease exists, but the cost of treatment far exceeds the price of prevention. Treatment can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500, and your dog can still contract heartworms again in the future. Meanwhile, monthly heartworm prevention can be purchased for $35 to $250 each year, depending on the brand and size of your dog.
Heartworm treatment poses significant risks for dogs, particularly those that are already struggling with age or health issues, in addition to being costly. Consulting with your veterinarian will convince you that opting for heartworm prevention is the wiser decision.
Neglecting Dental Health
A common misconception is that “doggie breath” is a normal occurrence, but in reality, it indicates some sort of dental problem, such as halitosis. This could be as straightforward as the accumulation of tartar in your canine’s mouth. Nonetheless, if ignored, it can escalate into periodontitis and result in tooth loss and potentially systemic illnesses, including heart disease and kidney failure.
How can you prevent this? Home dental care is key. If you decide that home care is not for you, then know that a professional veterinary dental cleaning is inevitable.
Feeding Improperly
Are you familiar with the fundamentals of feeding your dog? It’s important to note that not all dog foods are the same. Conduct a thorough examination of the labels and reviews before making a purchase. Additionally, consult with your veterinarian and other knowledgeable individuals about your dog’s nutrition. Keep in mind the tips below:
- Ingredients matter. Over a lifetime, improper feeding can lead to health issues, including skin problems and malnutrition.
- Don’t overfeed. Food is not love. Canine obesity is a problem, and it’s partly due to overfeeding. If your dog is overweight and you are feeding the amount recommended on the bag, then you probably need to reduce it. Talk to your vet about the best diet plan for your dog.
- Be selective with treats and chews. Some dog chews can be dangerous, and some human foods are toxic to dogs. Choose appropriate treats that your dog loves, but feed them in moderation. Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily intake.
Failing to Budget for Dog Expenses
Owning a dog requires financial commitment, which can often be substantial. It’s essential to include all the regular expenses, such as dog food, supplies, and veterinary services in your financial plan. Additionally, factor in possible add-ons like training sessions or pet-sitting when you’re away. While you can reduce dog-related expenditures, it’s still crucial to establish a budget.
Letting Behavior Problems Get out of Control
Although behavior problems in dogs may begin in a minor way, they tend to escalate over time. Neglecting to address these problems will only lead to their exacerbation. Additionally, you may unintentionally encourage your dog’s negative behavior by rewarding them for it. For instance, rewarding an aggressive dog with a treat will signal to them that their behavior is acceptable.
Prevent these problems from persisting. Early intervention of problems could resolve them rapidly. Check reliable sources like books or websites after consulting your vet and conducting research. If the issues worsen, seek assistance from a professional to prevent your dog from getting unmanageable.
Risking a Lost Dog
Every day, dogs become lost, and some are even stolen. Do you ensure to take necessary measures to safeguard your dog? It’s crucial to keep your dog on a leash and avoid leaving it unattended. Additionally, if your pet goes missing, do you know the actions to take?
Failure to attach an ID tag to your dog’s collar is one of the gravest errors you can commit as a pet owner. Your dog must wear a collar with up-to-date identification information all the time. Additionally, consider implanting a microchip in your furry friend for an extra layer of security. This measure can facilitate your reunion with your precious pet in case it goes astray. Otherwise, your dog may join the multitude of stray animals in a congested shelter.
BONUS: How to Train a Dog That Is Not Food Motivated
Both dog owners and trainers frequently utilize various kinds of dog food, including dog treats, for training purposes. This method of positive reinforcement is both effortless and highly effective, often yielding rapid results.
It is unanimously accepted by animal behaviorists and dog trainers that the most effective way to train a dog is through positive reinforcement, although it is not necessary to employ food as the means of reinforcement. Providing praise and affectionate treatment can also be utilized to encourage dogs to exhibit the desired behavior.
Although food rewards are generally effective, what if your dog is not interested in them? In this scenario, what steps should you take?
How to Train a Dog Who’s Not Interested in Food Rewards
In case your dog is not responding to food/treats being used for positive reinforcement training, there are various alternatives you can consider. Let’s examine some of them.
Try Different Foods
It is advisable to begin with experimenting on various food options. Utilizing the foods your dog craves as a source of food motivation is recommended. Similar to humans, dogs have varying preferences when it comes to taste, where they may take a liking to some foods and not to others.
You can try out a variety of food rewards until you discover which one is most effective, and use it for your dog’s training. It could be considered your dog’s preferred treat, and you may also want to experiment with foods that your dog does not typically consume.
Small amounts of safe, enjoyable foods that your dog is not accustomed to, such as peanut butter and hot dogs, can be utilized as rewards for good behavior. However, ensure that you provide them with small portions or amounts and avoid using products containing xylitol in their ingredients.
Make Sure Your Dog has Plenty of Water
The reason why your dog might not prefer the treat is not necessarily because of dislike; rather, it could be due to thirst. Similar to humans, dogs tend to avoid eating when they feel dehydrated as it can exacerbate dryness in the mouth.
Ensure that your dog has access to water, or provide some for him, before attempting the food-based training method once more.
Make Sure Your Dog Isn’t Distracted
Your canine companion may also get sidetracked. For instance, in a training session, your dog may be preoccupied with other pups and individuals, making it difficult for him to respond to treats. Essentially, he is too unfocused to pay attention to food incentives.
An alternative to training treats is allowing your dog to say hello to other people and dogs after making him sit at a distance, rather than rewarding him with a treat.
While your dog is being fed, it may become distracted. Therefore, ensure that you do not schedule training sessions during this time.
Praise Your Dog Too
Incorporate praise into your positive reinforcement training for your dog, in addition to using food rewards. Praising your dog is crucial, and it carries the same level of significance as the treats.
It’s crucial to shower your dog with praise, regardless of whether or not you give them a treat. Praising your furry friend is significant as it helps them form positive associations with the desired behavior without involving food.
It May Be Time to Stop
Observing your dog’s physical cues such as scratching, yawning or sneezing during training sessions is important. These behaviors, along with turning away from food, indicate that your dog is exhausted and requires a break.
Giving your dog a break when he requests one is crucial. If you neglect to do so, he will establish an adverse connection with his training session.
Use Alternatives to Food for Positive Reinforcement
To vary your approach, consider substituting something other than food as a reward. Clicker training coupled with a non-edible incentive such as verbal recognition or indulging in a brief period of playtime with the dog’s preferred toy is a technique favored by a lot of people for training their dogs.
The clicker is utilized to signify the point when your dog successfully performs the requested action, followed by presenting the reward right away. Although food can be used, clicker training can also be paired with non-food incentives, which can yield even more impressive results.
The Thing About Food Training
Regarding food training, I’d like to mention my experience working for Marine World/Africa USA during a summer many years ago. The park was renowned for granting visitors the opportunity to interact with the animals and offering shows showcasing trained wild beasts. As for their current procedures, I am uncertain.
They became famous for utilizing love to train animals and refused to use food as an incentive. They believed that food training would result in animals responding solely for the food rather than out of a genuine connection with the trainer. Essentially, their approach aimed to establish a powerful, affirmative bond between the trainer and animal that would serve as the driving force for the animal to comply with commands.
Naturally, the trainer could provoke an aggressive response from wild animals by offering food as a reward. However, there are those who contend that food-based training should be avoided altogether, as the bond between the animal and trainer should be the primary motivator instead of a food incentive.
One must ensure that along with any reward given to the dog, including food, it should be accompanied by love and praise. The praise provided should be equally valuable as a motivator, such that even if food is not available, the dog will still feel prompted to obey.