Becoming a new domestic dog parent is a joyous event , but it ’s also a vast responsibility that will impact you and your family for years to come . If you ’re not experienced with dogs , it ’s promiscuous to unwittingly make initiate ’s mistakes – and unfortunately , some mistakes can potentially harm your dog .
To serve set you up for succeeder , we ’ve outlined some of the most common mistakes new pet parent make , coupled with suggestions for how to fix or preclude them .
Always check with your veterinarian if you have question or are concerned about your dog ’s health or behaviour .
Not Developing an Early Relationship With a Veterinarian
Veterinarians toy a polar part throughout a weenie ’s life , not just when trouble arise . They do wellness tick , detect diseases before they can aggravate , and provide wellness recommendations based on your dog ’s chronicle . So waiting too long before prepare up an appointment means your dog may be refuse an optimum start .
Another plus to beginning a partnership with a veterinary early on is that , “ There is an established relationship in the future should illness or injury arise , ” says Dr. Erin Katribe , aesculapian director atBest Friends Animal Societyin Kanab , Utah .
To help ease last - minute panic and position your heel up for a healthy life , find a veterinarianbefore bringing your new family member place .
Not Getting All Veterinarian-Recommended Vaccinations
Vaccinations help prevent disease in wienerwurst . “ A lot of the diseases we inoculate against we do not hear or see of them because we do vaccinate , ” tell Dr. Denise Pancari , a partner physician withHeart + Pawin Centereach , New York .
Veterinarians usually recommend both core vaccines , as well as additional lifestyle - based vaccines ( also referred to as noncore vaccinum ) , says Dr. Katribe . Core vaccinesinclude those for ill humor , parvovirus , and rabies . Noncore vaccines – like those that protect against diseases likeBordetella , Lyme disease , and flu – are recommended based on factors like your location and the cad ’s risk of exposure to disease .
Additionally , “ pup require a series of vaccinations to be consider full protected , so be sure to observe the direction of a veterinary surgeon regarding how many vaccine are recommended , ” say Dr. Katribe .
Waiting Too Long Before Training Your Dog
Training is not just a tool used to cover undesirable behavior . “ create desired riding habit from the commencement is easy than retraining unsought behaviour , ” says Bradley Phifer , executive director of theCertification Council for Professional Dog Trainers .
other training helps puppies acclimate to their new home and cater lifetime lesson , says Dr. Terri Bright , theatre director of Behavior Services atMSPCA - Angell Animal Medical Centerin Boston . “ Pet parents should trust strictly on reward - based method acting and do their best to never frighten their pup . ”
Older and deliverance hot dog can profit from training too , though pet parent can be loose at the showtime , enjoin Phifer , who is a evidence professional dog trainer . “ They forgive what will end up being undesired behavior , like jumping up because the dog is newfangled to the home . They assume the behavior will improve . Unfortunately , their rawness or the hesitation to train a recently rescued Canis familiaris often allow for for unsought behavior patterns to acquire . ”
memorize how totrain a saving dogornew puppycan preclude unwanted behaviors down the road . If you require additional guidance or the office is uncontrollable , reach out to your veterinarian or a certify dog trainer .
Not Properly Socializing Your Puppy
A puppy ’s other weeks set the cornerstone for future demeanor and family relationship , says Dr. Bright . “ Puppies who are set apart during this clock time are at risk of environmental fears and social deficits with other domestic dog and man in the future , and there is no do - over to make up for the loss . ”
Start socializing your dog at about the 8 - week mark , recommends Dr. Bright , who is a board - certified behavior psychoanalyst and a certify applied beast behaviorist . She recommend go them accustomed to being handled , as well as exposing them to known friendly dogs and environments they ’re able to get away from if they become frightened . “ If they are frightened , they can have a little delicacy to essay counter - conditioning , but leak will be important . ”
take meter to learn about the7 steps to puppy socializationcan help ready your dog up for a lifetime of confidence . If you ’re not give birth success , a certified wiener trainer can be instrumental .
Not Understanding Environmental Risks
possible danger subsist both outdoors and inside the home that can harm your domestic dog ’s health . Public position can be contaminated with potentially disastrous disease likeparvovirus , says Dr. Katribe . “ Regardless of vaccine status , puppies under 4 months of eld may still be susceptible to contracting these disease . ”
Common family items can also be toxic or hazardous to dog , says Dr. Katribe . “ Especially for puppies , which are prone to chewing on almost anything they can get their mouths on . Even non - toxic things could gravel a danger if have , like pieces of fabric or toys that can do intestinal obstruction . ”
Study up onhousehold plants , backyard endangerment , andtoxinslurking in your surround that can potentially pose a danger to your dog . Dr. Katribe also recommends puppy- or firedog - proofing your home until they learn to fend off potentially dangerous areas .
Setting Unrealistic Expectations
raw dog parents often expect too much too soon from their Canis familiaris , say Phifer . “ hound need the chance to acclimate to a new home . Puppies need the chance to maturate up and get wind . Unfortunately , domestic dog often bear in unappealing ways until they adapt to a new home plate and invite appropriate training . ”
Thoughdog trainerscan help with the complexity of pet parenthood and training , there are also limitations , Phifer says . “ They do n’t have a wizardly wand to make a Border Collie not ruck or a Rottweiler not be protective . We can not educate your 12 - hebdomad - old pup to hold its bladder during your full work day or learn your German Shorthair Pointer to want less practice . ”
search the breed you intend to lend habitation can prevent some of this . If you ’ve already put to the acceptation , seek to realign your expectations and to accept your young pawl for the expert qualities shedoespossess .
Feeding an Inappropriate Diet
The solid food you take for your dog is one of the most of import decisions you’re able to make for her health . more often than not , veterinarians urge acomplete and balanced dieting – which is one that stop essential nutrients in the right amount , as recommended by The Association of American Feed Control Officials ( AAFCO ) .
look on for diets that may not be nutritionally appropriate , recommends Dr. Pancari . For instance , do n’t attempt to fake a homemade diet for your frump without steering from your vet or a veterinary dietitian .
Your veterinarian can offer steering on the best dieting and proper caloric intake for your dog .
Not Providing Adequate Exercise
Along with a arrant and balanced diet and appropriate caloric aspiration , exercisecan help keep your hot dog primed . “ Too trivial exercise can result in both health and deportment job , ” sound out Dr. Mary Burch , director ofAKC Family Dog . Exercise can also help stave in offobesity , which is join to ailments likediabetesandarthritis .
Dr. Burch says most wienerwurst need at least 30 moment of exercise each Clarence Day , though it can vary by individual and stock . “ A common fault link to exercise is the dog possessor who does n’t realize the exercise need of a finical breed , ” she say . AGerman ShepherdorLabrador Retrieverwill generally involve more exercise than aBulldogorPug .
require your veterinary for exercise passport — whether it ’s walk , swimming , or agility training — and study up on your chosen breed ’s physical requirements .
Not Developing Good Grooming Habits
drive care of your Canis familiaris ’s skin and pelage via regularbathing , brush , and garnish of fur and nails is part of her health attention routine . Grooming helps get rid of unwanted stain and junk , can prevent infections , and admit you to get possible problems likeflea infestations .
Attention tonailsis significant , too . “ When we see a problem in the area at Canine Good Citizen mental testing , it is often that the dog ’s nail have not been trimmed . If you hearclick , click , clickwhen the frank walks on a hard Earth’s surface , the nails are too long , ” says Dr. Burch , who is a certified applied animal behaviourist .
Grooming need dissent by dog strain . A long - hairy breed like aPoodleor one that ’s prostrate tomatted hairwill require more sustenance than a inadequate - haired domestic dog . Before adopting a heel , be sure you’re able to intrust to your breed ’s preparation needs . Or locate a professional favourite groomer in your region .
Not Being Prepared for Emergencies
Emergencies can uprise , whether they ’re in the human body ofbroken tooth , bloat , or sudden regurgitation . Knowing how tohandle emergencies before they occurand budget for them can ultimately store your frump ’s life .
It ’s also helpful to identify an after - hours emergency brake veterinary clinic and have their number ready in the event of an after - hours hand brake , urge Dr. Katribe . “ A universal practice vet can urge local options for emergency care if they do not also provide after - hr services . ”
Not Choosing to Spay or Neuter Your Dog
Sterilization not only prevent the birth of unwitting puppy , it also has wellness benefits , state Dr. Katribe . “ Spaying distaff dogs altogether eliminates the risk of infection of potentially life - jeopardize uterine infections and can reduce the risk of infection of mammary or reproductive Cancer . For virile dogs , neutering eliminates the risk of exposure of testicular cancer and can thin the risk of prostate problems [ 1 ] . ”
A study from the University of Georgia also found that spaying and neutering your dog can increase their life expectancy . In fact , the report rule that sterilisation increase the lifespan of male click by 13.8 percent and females by 26.3 percent [ 2 ] .
If your andiron is not already spayed or neutered at the time of borrowing , involve your veterinarian about the best clock time to have this procedure done .
Forgetting Proper Identification
give that dogs who track down away can become injured , traumatized , or for good lost , fit your pup with right identification is vital . Veterinarians recommend both microchipping and international recognition to prevent unnecessary calamity .
“ Collars and ticket can become lost , so a permanent micro chip that is record with contact info kept current ( the registration and current information is crucial ! ) can facilitate dogs make it back home once they are scanned at a shelter or clinic , ” Dr. Katribe says . Conversely , “ Because most mass that might find the dog do n’t have scanners , though , a microchip should n’t replace a low - technical school catch and identification rag , ” she add together .
Not Adequately Researching the Breed
Though you may have your essence set on a particular stock , it may not be the best fit . “ Proper stock research can help an owner with identifying what type of exercise or surround engagement the novel puppy or dog may need . This will also help with unwashed genetic disease or abnormality that can be cover specific , ” say Dr. Pancari .
hit the books everything about the breed you ’d wish to bring home , including energy degree , possible health risk , dietary and grooming needs . If you still have questions , a certified professional dog trainer can help oneself , says Phifer . “ They know how to help you to select a dog whose personality and stock type complement yours . ”
Not Practicing Good Etiquette
Part of being a good dog parent involves practicing skillful manner when outside of the menage . This includes not letting your dog run free in the neighborhood or to become a nuisance doggy , enunciate Dr. Burch . to boot , “ Not pick up the dog ’s waste matter in public and wild region is a big mistake that can result in dogs no longer being welcome at a hotel or on a hiking track , ” she enunciate .
Through theAKC ’s Responsible Dog Owner ’s Pledge , Dr. Burch says dog parent match to in good order confine the dog ( whether with fence or leashes ) , provide right identification , keep dogs safe if they get lax , and provide decent supervising when andiron and children are together .
Failing to Get Pet Health Insurance
An unforeseen unwellness or stroke can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected veterinary bills . Pet health insuranceallows you to supply optimal veterinary caution without having to knock into your economy . “ The best time to get indemnity is as early as potential , prior to any known congenital disorder or puppy accident occurring , ” says Dr. Pancari
If preferred insurance is too costly correctly now , Dr. Pancari recommends make a preferred savings account that you contribute a small amount to each month .
You may also want to consider purchasing apet wellness plan , which help cover the price of preventative care , include microchipping , vaccinations , and health exams .
