The art of finding the perfect balance
Telling your dog to go play and make friends can be great for them, or it can be stressful. You just don't know, so it's best to introduce him or her to other dogs on the leash and then take it from there.
Bad behavior should be addressed immediately. Dogs only associate a punishment with a behavior when it's done on the spot. Being angry at them after they've done something you don't like will only leave them confused.
Some cleaning products, such as bleach and ammonia, are hazardous for dogs. They can absorb the toxins through their paws by walking on a wet floor, for instance.
Dogs also need vigorous exercise and playtime off-leash. Run, pup, run!
Not only does this create a bad habit, but you also risk feeding your dog something he or she shouldn't be eating.
This is really important, especially if they get lost. A microchip can save your dog's life.
Yes, your dog can be really smart. But having the intelligence of a human three-year-old won't keep him or her safe at all times. Despite how intelligent they seem to be, they are still dogs, and should be taken care of by their owners.
Yelling at your dog to stop barking can sometimes have the opposite effect. Your pooch might think you're playing and bark even louder.
Training command can be tiresome, but consistency is key. Don't believe your dog can't learn and keep at it.
Dogs are supposed to learn and enjoy walking on a leash. Leash-training shouldn't be a bad thing. It can be challenging at times, but it's by no means a way to punish your dog.
Just like us, dogs need to wear seat belts. And, yes, for the exact same reasons. So, no excuse.
This is an outdated piece of training advice that seldom works. Your dog will just feel anxious and probably won't make the connection.
Giving your dog a toy or a bone to distract them is not ideal, as you're reinforcing bad behavior. So they're likely to repeat it.
This is usually a sign of separation anxiety, and has nothing to do with revenge.
Dental snacks might help keep plaque and tartar buildup at bay, but they're no substitute for brushing.
Temperature inside a car can rise fast, and even just a few minutes can be fatal for your pooch.
If you laugh and pet your dog when he or she does something wrong (even though it can be funny) you're basically telling your dog that it's okay to do that. If they get attention from bad behavior, they're likely to repeat it.
Dogs need, and indeed enjoy, daily walks outdoors. We tend to keep these shorter or stop them altogether when we're busier or feel more tired, but it's important not to neglect them.
Emergency situations happen, so it's important to either leave your dog with someone who knows what to do if something goes wrong, or hire a dog sitter.
Just like someone who loves children is not necessarily a good babysitter, the same applies to dog sitters. Check their credentials and, if possible, get references from other clients.
Relying too much on treats can make your dog just respond to food and nothing else.
Sometimes this just doesn't happen. When introducing a new dog to the family, do so outside your home, on the leash. Reinforce good behavior with treats and see how it goes from there.
Many plants and flowers are toxic for dogs, but, of course, they'll have no problem in knocking a vase down and chewing on them.
See also: These 60 breeds make the best family dogs.
Equally important is to ensure your dog's microchip is registered where it needs to be. There are several databases, depending on where you live.
Telling your dog "don't do this again," and lecturing them on what's right or wrong, is rarely effective. Dogs respond to simple cues, good or bad, and these must be used on the spot as it happens.
When you use food as a way to give your dog some love, it can have negative consequences. There are other ways to love your dog, and to keep him or her from getting overweight.
Our instinct is to console our dogs instantly, but dogs might interpret this as a reward associated with being scared.
It's important to think about what happens to your beloved pet after you're gone.
Like humans, dogs have different preferences on how they like to be rewarded. For some, playing with a ball is the best thing you can give them, while others will settle for a nice belly rub.
Dogs' grooming and hygiene should be done more often than the occasional trip to the groomer.
Dogs are wonderful pets, but training and caring for them can be challenging at times. We want our dogs to feel loved, but also want them to behave and to obey our commands. There are many benefits to owning a dog, but there are also responsibilities, and sometimes we do things we're not supposed to even though we do them with the best intentions. In this gallery, we list some of these common mistakes.
Intrigued? Click on to see if you've been guilty of any of these.
Mistakes dog owners make all the time
We've all been guilty of one or another
LIFESTYLE Pets
Dogs are wonderful pets, but training and caring for them can be challenging at times. We want our dogs to feel loved, but also want them to behave and to obey our commands. There are many benefits to owning a dog, but there are also responsibilities, and sometimes we do things we're not supposed to even though we do them with the best intentions. In this gallery, we list some of these common mistakes.
Intrigued? Click on to see if you've been guilty of any of these.