A dog can be an incredible pet if treated well by its owner. However, if the owner is irresponsible or ignorant of his or her pet dog's needs, the dog will develop poor behavior and health.
PetMD shared some important tips for dog owners. These tips aim to teach all dog owners the things they should never do to their pets.
1. Never leave your dog alone in the car.
This is one of the most important tips for dog owners because it can mean life and death for dogs. Overheating, dehydration, theft and death are some of the possible outcomes for leaving your dog alone in the car.
2. Do not make your dog live in chains.
A dog has a very short lifespan compared to humans. Do not make it spend its whole life on a leash or in a cage.
Practice what all responsible dog owners do by making the dog a real part of the family. If you cannot do that, then you might not be suitable as a dog owner.
3. Never neglect your dog's dental health.
Your dog is more at risk to different dental and oral diseases and disorders if their teeth are not taken care of. "Always have a veterinarian check your dog's teeth at least once a year and prior to starting any home-based dental regimen," PetMD advised.
4. Never hit your dog.
"Researchers have been studying dog behavior and cognition for decades, including one important study in the 1960's that showed that unless you are able to catch a dog in the act of an undesired behavior, it's unlikely that your dog will make the connection that he's done something wrong," Positively explained. "Any reaction after the fact will only lessen your dog's trust in you and can cause him to fear you."
5. Never forget veterinary visits.
Visiting a veterinarian is one of the most important tips for dog owners. Take your dog to the clinic even if your pet is not displaying anything out of the ordinary. And if you do see something out of the ordinary, do not act as your dog's personal veterinarian because you might make things worse.
