Being a dog owner can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not always easy. Considering your dog can’t tell you what they like or dislike, there are many things dog owners end up doing that they really shouldn’t.
Whether you adopt a brand-new puppy or rescue an older dog, caring for a dog is a lot of work. While many people take on the responsibility of caring for a dog without realizing just how much work it is, more experienced dog owners know what it takes to keep their dogs healthy and happy.
However, even the most experienced dog owners can make mistakes regarding how they raise or care for their dogs. Some of the things you shouldn’t do as a dog owner may be obvious, while others may be new information you weren’t aware of.
Caring for a dog isn’t just about feeding them well or letting them play outside–dogs need a lot of love and attention to be happy and healthy. Even when you’re trying your best to care for their needs, it’s easy to neglect certain areas of their health or treat them in an unhealthy way if you don’t fully understand how dogs function.
To ensure your dog gets the love, care, and attention it needs, we’ve created a list of the 15 things you should never do as a dog owner. 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous news and lifestyle publications, including Reader’s Digest and Business Insider. We also read quotes and advice from veterinarians and other animal experts. (Check out 32 Paw-Some Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Dogs.)
Here are 15 things you should never do as a dog owner:
Use a retractable leash
- Retractable leashes can be dangerous and lead to severe injuries.
Retractable leashes are common with dog owners because they allow your dog to go where they please. However, there are many problems that come with this type of leash. Not only can it injure you if the leash gets twisted, but they’re challenging to retract quickly, making it dangerous for your dog in an emergency. Also, the type of material used can lead to cuts on your dog if you have to pull it quickly to stop them.
Give your dog ice
- Chewing ice can cause your dog’s teeth to break.
Especially on a hot day, it may be tempting to give your dog ice cubes or even put ice in their water bowl. This isn’t a good idea because it can damage their teeth. Ice cubes are one of the top ways dogs end up with broken teeth, which can lead to pain, infection, and other complications down the road.
Let your dog drink alcohol
- Certain ingredients in alcoholic drinks may be toxic to dogs.
You’re probably not sharing your beer or glass of wine with your dog, but considering how dangerous it can be, it’s important to ensure any alcohol is out of reach. Not only can alcohol negatively impact your dog, but some ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners, that may be in your cocktail can be toxic to your furry friend. Don’t leave your drink unattended if you’re enjoying a drink while your dog is around.
Yell at your dog
- Yelling and lecturing are both ineffective ways to discipline your dog.
While your instinct may be to yell or lecture your dog when it has done something wrong, keep in mind that their brains don’t work like ours. Your dog can learn to respond to the tone of your voice and simple cues when it has done something right or wrong. However, berating them by raising your voice or calling them names isn’t going to improve their behavior.
Delay discipline
- Punishing your dog hours after they did something only leads to confusion.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to get into trouble when you’re away. If you come home after being gone for hours and find your dog has done something wrong, pause before you discipline. If your dog had an accident on the floor or chewed your shoes hours ago, they’re not going to remember what they did. Disciplining them hours later will only lead to confusion.
Use a choke collar
- Choke collars can cause injury and are ineffective in training your dog.
Choke collars are often used to prevent your dog from pulling on the leash. Instead of properly teaching them, these types of collars inflict pain on your dog to stop them from pulling. Choke collars and similar types of collars can cause fatal injuries if they restrict your dog’s breathing. A better alternative is a no-pull harness that simply pulls your dog’s head in the direction they’re pulling you.
Tie up your dog in public
- Your dog will likely try to find a way out of this arrangement, risking their safety.
Whether you’re at a park or shopping in a store, tying your dog up in a public place isn’t a good idea. It’s likely to lead to your dog trying to get loose, and if they’re successful, they could get lost or injure themselves in the process. This can also lead to aggressive behavior if your dog is afraid of being left alone. Leave your pup at home if they can’t go wherever you’re going.
Leave your dog alone in the car
- Leaving your dog in the car for even a few minutes can be fatal.
This may seem like an obvious one every dog owner is aware of. However, it’s not uncommon for people to leave their dogs in the car, thinking they’ll be OK if it’s just a few minutes. It doesn’t take long for a dog to overheat, especially on a warm day, and leaving your dog in the car alone for any amount of time isn’t safe.
Neglect to microchip your dog
- A microchip is necessary to keep your dog safe.
Millions of pets are lost every year. No matter how responsible you are, there’s always a possibility of your dog getting lost. A microchip is the surest way to keep your dog safe and be able to find it if it does get out. Registering your dog’s microchip allows whoever finds your lost pup to locate you quickly. If your dog does have a microchip, don’t forget to keep your contact information updated.
Feed your dog table scraps
- Many of the foods we eat are dangerous for dogs.
This is probably one of the most common things dog owners do that could put their pups at risk. There’s no doubt your dog is going to beg for a bite of your food sometimes while you’re eating at the table. Unless you’re 100% sure what you’re eating is safe for your dog, don’t feed them table scraps and don’t let your guests feed them either. There are many common foods, such as avocados or onions, that can be dangerous for dogs to eat.
Forget your dog’s walks
- Your dog’s daily walks are an essential part of their health.
Your dog’s daily walks are easy to forget about when things get busy. Even if you have a yard where your dog is able to play, longer walks are still an important part of their mental and physical health. Not to mention they’re good for your health as well. If all you have time for is a brief walk around the block, that’s better than not taking one.
Only use the leash
- Time running off the leash is important for dogs, but it has to be in the right context.
Leashes are an absolute necessity for your dog, no matter how well behaved they are and even if the leash is one of the things your dog hates. Time running around without their leash is important too, but only let your dog run around without the leash in the proper context, such as at a dog park or other dog-friendly place.
Miss their annual checkups
- Annual checkups are just as important for dogs as they are for humans.
It may be easy to forget that your dog needs to go to the doctor just like you do, but their annual check-up is a vital part of their health. At the vet, they’ll be able to do blood work and screen your dog for any diseases. This is especially important for older dogs or other pups who have declining health.
Give your dog human medicine
- Never give your dog medicine unless it’s specifically for dogs or approved by your vet.
There are certain medicines that work for both dogs and humans, but in most cases, dogs need specialized medicine that’s safe for them. It’s important not to give your dog any medicine that isn’t approved for dogs or hasn’t been prescribed by their vet. Giving them something out of your medicine cabinet can lead to serious side effects.
Let your dog jump on people
- Letting your dog jump on a person can be dangerous.
It may seem cute when your dog jumps on someone they’re excited to see, but this isn’t a good habit for your dog. Even if they don’t intend to harm someone, this can be dangerous, especially if it’s a larger dog or they’re jumping on a child. Teach your dog another way to say hello, such as shaking paws, instead of letting them jump when excited. (Also See These Are the 21 Longest Living Companion Dog Breeds.)