Three Common Mistakes New Dog Owners Make

Dogs are the best; they’re comforting when you need support and silly when you need a smile. However, as the saying goes, not everything is sunshine and rainbows. In fact, owning a puppy is a lot harder than one may think. Here are three common mistakes new dog owners make that you should watch out for.

Not Preparing the Home

Perhaps the most common mistake new dog owners make is not preparing their homes ahead of time. You need to get your place animal-ready, whether you’re adopting a puppy or an older pooch. Start by getting some gates to block rooms you don’t want them to get into. Another pro tip is to set up a dog cleaning station where you can wipe their paws after they come inside all muddy.

Ignoring Research

Sure, owning a dog is a ton of fun. Yet, people can get caught up in the hoopla of it all and neglect their research. For starters, there’s lots to know about dogs and sleep apnea. Many pups experience this issue, just like humans. The best thing people can do to avoid this is to change their diet and exercise routine.

Novice owners should also know about separation anxiety. Fido might not just be crying because they miss you. Rather, they could have a severe phycological disorder that can be treated with meds and therapeutic remedies—but you have to do the research to find out.

Not Training Early Enough

Dogs know how to use their cuteness against you. They may give you those puppy dog eyes as a way to avoid training; try your hardest not to fall for it. Instead, do some training as soon as you can so the acclimation process is easier for everyone. Again, be sure to do your research and choose a high-quality trainer you know will take care of your furry friend.