10 Irresponsible Behaviors Of Dog Owners
Deciding to adopt an animal is not easy; it requires an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages that this choice will have on our home and, more importantly, on our life.
It is essential to take into account that an animal is a living being, which requires some basic attention, including being fed and cared for, as well as having to play, walk and receive affection.
While it may seem like a trivial matter, it should be emphasized that the most important virtue of becoming a pet owner is responsibility. For this reason, in the following article we will talk about the 10 most common forms of irresponsibility found in dog owners; even if in some cases they will seem obvious to you, these are more frequent errors than ever.
1. Adopt a puppy and get tired right away
It is good to underline the fact that a puppy is not a toy, but a living being ; as such, it is normal for him to make mistakes at first, do his business around the house, bite into whatever comes his way, or cry at night when he’s alone.
Adopt a puppy only if you really love animals and if, at the same time, you are willing to arm yourself with all the necessary patience during the period of education of your new friend.
2. Do not get him food and medical attention
Although it may sound obvious, every dog must receive the right nutrition according to his characteristics, and receive vitamins and other supplements if he needs them.
If you notice something strange in your pet – he has changed a habit or is depressed – don’t waste your time and take him to the vet. Make sure you know the periods for vaccinations, take care of its cleaning and, above all, respond to its every need.
3. Not having time to devote to it
Every dog needs to receive daily attention, not only in terms of nutrition, but also for walks and for play. You shouldn’t leave your faithful friend alone in the house for more than 8 hours, or let him go out exclusively to do his business. Always keep in mind that a dog is one more member of the family, and as such needs your love and cuddles.
4. Behaving uncivilized
Your dogs will grow depending on how you educate them. If they do not know how to behave, because they go to the streets or bark incessantly because they are left alone, the fault lies exclusively with the owners. Another bad habit of many owners is to leave their pet untied on the street, allowing it to attack and growl at everything and everyone.
It is necessary to be aware of the dangers arising from these attitudes; for this reason it is essential to educate a dog from the time it is a puppy.
5. Failure to comply with the regulations in force
Regulations regarding the legal requirements for keeping pets vary from country to country. The rules can change regarding vaccinations, the need to wear a leash and muzzle on the street, the use of the microchip as a method of identification … All this, in addition to compliance with the laws of the nation, can avoid future inconveniences.
6. Choose an inappropriate breed
It often happens to choose a particular breed because it is fashionable, or simply because it is more popular. This is a great demonstration of irresponsibility. If you are sedentary and opt for a breed that needs a lot of physical activity, your dog could end up suffering from anxiety, venting his pent-up energy on any object in the house.
For this reason, before adopting an animal it is good to get well informed about everything it will need, making sure you can give it the attention it requires.
7. Don’t educate them since they were puppies
There are those who believe that educating a dog is a small task, but this is a serious mistake. Education is a process that must be started from when the dog is a puppy. The best method is always that of positive reinforcement, that is, the one that provides that the dog is rewarded when it behaves correctly, without ever resorting to violence or mistreatment.
8. Do not take the dog for a walk
It often happens that those who have a house with a very large garden do not take the dog for a walk; by doing so, the animal is prevented from socializing with other animals and other people. The fact that the dog lives in a large place with large spaces to play is positive, but it will also need new stimuli, which only the street can provide.
9. Thinking that the dog has no feelings
One of the biggest mistakes that can be made is to think that a pet does not have feelings, or does not understand us. Those who have a passion for animals, especially dogs, know that this is not the case. An animal should be treated like a member of the family.
10. When the dog becomes pregnant
If you have a dog at home, keep in mind that she could get pregnant, and that in this case you would find yourself having to look after some puppies too; at this point it is important to know what to do with them, and to evaluate the possibility of giving them up for adoption.
