5 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid as a New Dog Owner
The human need for companionship and the innate urge to be heard and felt is there since dawn. Conversely, the paucity of compassion leads to loneliness, which can elicit numerous psychiatric and physical disorders. If you’re struggling to cope with loneliness, petting a kitten or a puppy can be great therapy.
Looking forward to adding a furry canine to your family? You’re surely making one of the perfect decisions of your life!
The bond between you and your dog can become super strong and everlasting if you take stock of all the huge responsibilities that come along with the fun of owning a canine companion.
If you’re a new dog owner, let’s just know, how you and your pooch can become happy campers in no time. In this article, you’ll find the top five typical mistakes to avoid right away! Therefore, without further ado — let’s get started.
1. Never Fall for Looks
Choosing a puppy based on its fluff-ball-like tempting looks is one of the most common and biggest mistakes you can ever make. Before buying a puppy, keep in mind certain things like your puppy’s breed, gender, nature, personality type, and genetics. Go for one, whose temperament closely resembles yours.
Don’t forget to keep in mind your living situation and financial status. For instance, Pugs and Pomeranians are small dogs and won’t fulfil your requirement for home protection.
Similarly, large dogs like Labrador retrievers are not suitable if you reside in small apartments, no matter how much your heart longs for them.
2. Don’t Feed with Scraps
Foods appropriate for human consumption can cause food poisoning in dogs. A spoonful of table food leads to “begging behaviour”, weight gain, and allergic issues in a new pet. Be careful that you provide your pup with the right amount of prescribed dog food.
Dietary cholesterol can induce abnormal bile secretion and cholesterol gallstones in prairie dogs. The high sodium content in meals you consume can potentially cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and pancreatitis in your new pet. You can regulate its eating habits by having strong monitoring of calorie intake.
3. Understand Pup’s Medical Needs
Be conscious — of your new pup’s basic emotional and physical needs. Don’t overlook its regular dental and physical check-ups by an experienced vet. Strictly adhere to its vaccine administration schedules.
Additionally, play your part in maintaining a healthy relationship between the vet and your pet through multiple visits. Another critical consideration is keeping a check on heartworms and flea issues.
4. Never Off-leash
Take it on a serious note, setting your new dog free, to explore its new environment can be scary. The mental stimulation of a dog requires you to take your new furry friend on extended walks.
Make sure, every time you go outside, your pet is properly leashed. Never set it free by unclicking its leash in public parks. Otherwise, worst situations can arise between your pet and other dogs and can become uncontrollable for you.
5. Always Use Microchip
To prevent your dog from losing in public add a painless microchip device between your dog’s skin folds and shoulder blades. It entails a unique ID number and aids in the fast identification and tracking of lost dogs byRemember, a microchip works effectively, if it is stored in a pet recovery database with up-to-date contact details.
Never neglect to add an ID tag on your dog’s collar every time. Otherwise, your pet can get lost or stolen or become one more homeless pet in an overcrowded dog shelter!
Conclusion
Remember, once you follow the guidelines stated above, you’ll be well on your way to success. You’ll just need to practice infinite patience while developing understanding with your new buddy.
Gradually, your new puppy will start loving you unconditionally for the rest of its life. Best of luck on your journey as a new dog parent!
All trained dog owners, if you feel like I’ve missed something important, then feel free to drop your precious suggestions in the comments section below.
