Most people think that there is no difference between children and pets. But for their physical and mental well-being, pets require the same attention you’d give your baby. Diet, grooming, socializing, and obedience training should be considered thoroughly.
Here are some common mistakes pet owners make that can lead to a number of adjustment issues and behavioral problems. Make sure to avoid these mistakes, if you want to have a happy and healthy pet.
1. Impulsive buying
Impulsive buying is a common behavior today. They can make you feel good now but you might regret about your purchase after the initial euphoria wears off. Plus, you might find yourself under-equipped to cope with the sudden responsibility. That’s why you need to think through before you bring home a pet.
2. Beating pets
This is one of the biggest mistakes a lot of people make without thinking about the consequences. Even if you catch your pet in the act, there’s no point in beating him/her. A firm “Bad boy (or girl)!” or “No!” will convey your displeasure much better than physical punishment.
3. Not having consistent rules
Another big mistake is not having consistent rules for your pet. You can allow your pet on the bed but your hubby often scolds him/her for it. As a result, your pet is going to be confused and won’t understand how he/she is expected to behave. Sit down with the whole family and make some main rules for your pet that your family member will work together to fix.
4. Lack of exercise
You need to know that your pet needs exercise too. Lack of exercise can cause your pet to become destructive, fidgety, overactive, and hostile at home. If you have a dog, then you should know that he/she needs at least 2 30-minutes walks a day. If you have cats, make sure you play with them for at least 10-20 minutes daily.
5. Skipping training sessions
When your puppy is 8 weeks old, this is the best time to start training him/her. And if you skip training sessions your dog can pick up bad habits, and it will be very hard to un-train him/her. If you don’t know how to train dogs, it’s better to let the professionals do their job.
6. Too many treats
Using treats as a reward is an essential part of the training, but too many treats are surely a big pet-owner mistake! Treats help in positive reinforcement and also encourage your dog to learn faster and do better. Too many treats cause your dog to lose its value. Keep treats only to reward really good behavior!
7. Lack of socializing
Unless your dog is friendly with different pets and people, he/she might develop fear or aggression. Therefore, it’s important, between 3 and 12 weeks, to help him/her socialize with different people and animals in the neighborhood.
8. Prolonged isolation
Pets need companionship and while it’s okay to leave your pet alone for a few hours, being absent for a whole day will cause separation anxiety and destructive behavior. That’s why it’s important to crate train your pet to survive without you for more than just a few hours.
If you must be away from home for a long period of time ask your neighbor to drop in every couple of hours or arrange for a dog walker. Cats are more capable of staying home alone, but make sure you leave out enough toys and cat food.
If you want to have a healthy and happy pet, you should avoid these mistakes. Do you know any other pet-owner mistakes? Share your thoughts, please.