Signs Of A Bad Dog Owner
By Molly
11 months ago
1. Owning A Dog When You Aren't Ready
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Dogs are considered man's best friend and one of the most popular types of pet to own...however, this doesn't mean you should own one! Dogs come with many responsibilities; for some people, it's just not worth the effort. You should always evaluate your lifestyle and living situation before buying a dog to ensure you can provide a loving and caring home that every dog deserves.2. Not Taking Your Dog To The Vet
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Dogs require annual vaccinations and routine check-ups at the vet to keep up with their health and we completely understand how expensive it can be but if you purposely miss these check-ups you are a bad owner! Avoiding the vet is not only selfish but also cruel...3. Losing Your Temper
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Sometimes dogs can get very annoying, especially when there is excessive barking, or they are being stubborn and won't listen to you, BUT that does not mean you should EVER be aggressive or shout at your pet! Not only is this behaviour a sign of a bad owner, but it is also probably why your dog is acting up in the first place!4. No Routine
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Bad dog owners also tend not to implement a routine into their dogs' lives. Having routines can help your dog feel at ease or less distressed and will ultimately help you as a dog owner know how to look after your dog correctly. Not having routines from the get-go will result in bad behaviours which unfair to both you and your pet!5. Not Picking Up After Your Dog
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We've all had the disgusting experience of standing in some fresh dog poo that a dog owner can't be bothered to pick up! It is the responsibility of an owner to clean up after your dog has done its business - Dog 101! By leaving your dog's droppings you could spread disease and attract vermin which is unpleasant for everyone...6. Forgetting To Feed Them
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This one is just plain cruel! Just like humans, our furry friends need nourishment to grow and develop healthily. Skipping your dog's meals or not doing the right research on how much they need to eat can be detrimental to their health. You wouldn't forget to feed yourself so don't forget your dog!7. Leaving Them Alone For Hours
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Having to leave your dog at home for a few hours isn't a problem now and then but leaving them alone for long hours every day can have some serious consequences. Dogs are very social animals and consider you part of their pact meaning they will want to be with you at all times. In your absence, dogs are lonely and can develop separation anxiety.8. No Training
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Good dog owners are aware that training their dogs is not only beneficial to themselves but also to the dog but it can be difficult and take time...that's why some owners can't be bothered putting in the effort. Not training your dog can result in possessive behaviour, excessive barking and no respect for their owners.9. Don't Play With Them
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Playtime with your dog isn't just about keeping them entertained but it also plays a significant role in their quality of life. Bad owners who refuse to play with their dogs can cause the poor pups to develop anxiety and depression...How can you resist a cute puppy face when they want to play?!?10. Showing No Affection
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As social pack animals dogs need a lot of attention...if you do not have the patience or time to provide your dog with plenty of company then you need to rethink owning a dog! You will end up causing your dog unhappiness and they will retaliate with destructive behaviour, such as chewing and ripping up furniture.11. Leaving Them In The Car
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It doesn't matter if you are only going to be 5 minutes, leaving your four-legged friend in a hot car can quickly take a fatal turn. A dog left in a car can end up developing hyperthermia or heatstroke and it is classed as animal abuse - Shame on them!12. Dentist Needs
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Bad dog owners also tend to forget that dental hygiene is also important in a dog's life. Well in some cases they don't forget but merely don't want to pay the dental fees. Dental work on dogs can be very costly but making sure your dog's pearly whites are healthy is priceless!13. Not Enough Exercise
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The most typical sign of a bad dog owner is one that has the bad habit of not giving their dog enough time to exercise. Energy levels may vary from breed to breed, but they must have enough opportunity to release it, at a basic you should be giving your dog at least 30 minutes each day! Exercise is a good mental and physical stimulant for your dog and shouldn't be ignored because you're too lazy.14. Overfeeding
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Although most of us have good intentions, feeding your dog too many treats can cause serious medical issues in the future. Having an overweight dog can not only shorten their lifespan but also rack up veterinary bills so they must have regular exercise and a balanced diet.15. Don't Get Them Groomed
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No matter the breed when owning a dog there is always work to be done. Many dogs require plenty of grooming which could be brushing, clipping nails or baths and normally this can require a lot of time or money. A sign of a bad dog owner is when they can't be bothered to keep their dog clean and groomed!16. Not Treating Them Like A Pet
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We've all dressed our pets up for fun but another sign of a bad dog owner is when they constantly treat their dog like a human being. It is easy to forget that dogs aren't people when you class them as part of the family but having a spoilt puppy is worse than you think. They will become accustomed to being put first and will need constant attention!17. Lack Of Socialisation
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If you neglect to socialise your dog from an early age you make simple activities like walking and visiting places outside of the home extremely difficult. If your dog isn't made aware of other animals or people they become defensive and protective over their owner and house.18. Aggressive Behaviour
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Encouraging or ignoring aggressive behaviours in dogs is unacceptable and it is a clear sign that you are a bad dog owner. Allowing your dog to be aggressive can have serious consequences, you are not only putting other animals at risk but members of the public - This is a serious!19. Ignoring No Pets Allowed Signs
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Maybe not one of the more serious signs of a bad dog owner but is still equally important. Ignoring no dogs allowed signs is disrespectful and against the law. Signs are up for a reason and it's normally for you and your dog's safety so follow them -You wouldn't trespass on someone's land, would you?!20. Lack Of Research
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A very important step that some dog owners overlook, is doing their research on the breed of dog this wish to have. The research will help an owner understand habits, personality, their needs and is a great way to get to know your dog better. Without the research, you can't care for your dog the way it should be cared for and it is also very lazy.21. Letting Your Dog Jump On People
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Sometimes this one can't be helped…dogs can be very excitable, but it's considered bad manners to let your dog jump on random people. Not all people are dog lovers and some are even deathly afraid so having a massive dog jump on you at the park is never fun and it also shows you have no control over your pet!22. Ignoring The Warning Signs
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When your dog is getting sick there are certain warning signs…such as them being lethargic, having a loss of appetite or being sick. For most, it's straight to the vet to find out the cause but for some, this is yet another annoying task. Bad owners may not be able to spot warning signs because they aren't paying attention or don't want to pay vet bills.23. Letting Them Off The Leash
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This next sign completely depends on how well-trained your dog is and the location you are in. Letting your dog off its leash in an empty field or at an uncrowded beach is always a good way to let your dog exercise and have fun but a sign of a bad dog owner is when they let an untrained dog cause havoc when off the leash - Always look at your surroundings!24. Giving Them Human Medication
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Under no circumstances do you give your dog human medication when they aren't feeling well! Some dog owners may think this is a cheaper alternative than a trip to the vet but can have dire consequences for a dog's immune system. It's not hard to have a bit of common sense guys!25. Leaving Them To Bark
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Right, we know it's hard to keep a dog from barking as this is their form of communication but letting your dog out in your yard to bark at 3 am is never acceptable! Dog owners who ignore their dogs barking all day don't want to give their dogs any attention and have no regard for anyone in the surrounding area - Selfish!26. Preferred Them As Puppies
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Puppies can be irresistible to look at and fun to play with, but the novelty can wear off pretty quickly. When buying a puppy you need to make a commitment and have a full understanding of all the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. For some owners, this is simply too much but you should understand a dog isn't a toy you can just give back when you don't like it anymore!27. Overbreeding
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People who buy certain breeds of dogs just simply to breed them over and over again to make a profit aren't good dog owners... you are revolting! Over Breeding dogs not only puts a lot of stress and health issues on the mama dog but we also live in a world where stray dogs are numerous and need loving homes!28. Not Enough Water
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Just like humans, dogs can dehydrated very easily and it's important to remember to give them plenty of water, especially in hot and humid conditions. Leaving your dog without fresh water throughout the day is cruel and can be life-threatening for them.29. No Recall
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Not giving your dog basic training and then taking them off the lead is always a bad sign. If your dog's recall skills aren't there then you might be put in a bad situation. Like where you can't get your dog to come back to you...there is nothing more embarrassing than having to chase after your dog in front of a crowd.30. Letting Them Eat Toxic Food
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Lastly, another sign of a bad dog owner is letting your dog eat food that is toxic for them. You are an irresponsible dog owner if you haven't got one eye on your dog at all times and just remember even though they might have not had a negative reaction to a piece of food once it doesn't mean they won't have a bad reaction the next time!31. Not Bothering To Microchip Them
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Getting your dog microchipped is very important in case your dog wanders off, as it's for their own safety that they can be identified and returned to you at the correct address! No dog owner likes to think of an instance of their dog getting lost, which is why most owners don't bother with a chip because they don't think it'll happen to them.32. Or Not Registering The Microchip!
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But actually making that microchip appointment is only the first step - after the chip is fitted, you then need to make sure you register the chip online and make sure the address details are all up to date! So it can be just as irresponsible if you get the chip and think 'oh I'll register it later' but never do!33. Forcing Your Dog To Make Friends
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It's extremely important to socialize your dog, but dogs also need to this at their own pace. Forcing your dog into a situation where they're uncomfortable or anxious by saying 'go on, go and make friends!' and not paying attention to their body language is a bad thing.34. Expecting Your Pets To All Get Along
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When you get a new dog, you might already have another dog, other pets or maybe a home filled with cats. In an ideal world, all your pets will get along and you can be a big happy family - but expecting this to be the case is bad pet ownership, and especially if you ignore the signs that they're not getting along at all!35. Feeding Your Dog From Your Plate
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We all sneak our pooches a snack from our plates every now and again, but if you're actively feeding your dog the majority of the food from your plate - and especially if you're using your own cutlery, or letting them lick the plate! - this is bad training, and could even mean they don't eat their own food.36. Not Checking Whether Plants Are Toxic
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Most homes these days have house plants in abundance - and we get it, house plants are great - but there are certain plants that are pet friendly, and certain plants that are definitely not. It's always important to check whether a plant is toxic for pets before you buy it.37. Or Vases Of Flowers, For That Matter!
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And it actually doesn't start and end with plants either - even flowers can be toxic to dogs, and especially if you're keeping a vase of flowers on a low table close to where a dog might be able to get to it. Flowers like lilies and tulips are actually toxic, despite being very pretty.38. Putting Your Poinsettias As Priority
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Poinsettias always set the mood during the holiday season, and they're a stunning color to have around the home. And while poinsettias won't prove fatal for your dog, they can cause a lot of irritation as well as vomiting. So if you're prioritising filling your home with poinsettias over Christmas instead of your pooch's health, this isn't good!39. Going For Any Old Dog Sitter
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In situations where you need a dog sitter, it's important to vet them and do your research. But if you're taking any old sitter off the street, you don't know whether they can be trusted - least of all with your best friend. You don't want to risk getting the wrong person.40. Not Having Enough Walks For That Breed
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One big mistake that bad dog owners can make is not understanding how much exercise particular breeds need - it's not a set rule for all dogs, and sometimes even two big walks a day aren't enough. Breeds like huskies are notoriously energetic and need a lot of exercise.41. Not Watching Your Dog At A Dog Park
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A dog park isn't a place where you take your dog, let it off the leash and then ignore it for two hours to sit on a bench and read a book. You need to be watching your dog at all times. If you aren't, your dog could be causing havoc, winding up other dogs, or even being attacked by other untrained dog - all without you knowing.42. Walking Miles In Front!
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If your dog is trained to be off the leash, that's all well and good - but it doesn't mean you don't have to watch them. If you're a dog owner who goes on a walk with their dog and walks miles in front because you think 'oh they'll catch up eventually' and leave them to wander, it's irresponsible. There may be another person or another dog walking behind you and are then faced with a dog off the leash and its owner nowhere in sight.43. Understanding on/off leash
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If possible, it's important for dogs to be allowed to run off leash to burn off energy - but some dogs always have to be on a leash depending on behavior (if you have a rescue pup who doesn't do well off the leash, for example). You're a bad dog owner if you don't understand when, and if, your dog can be off the leash!44. Relying on treats far too much
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Treats are an important tool for training your dog, but you shouldn't rely on them forever. What can happen is your dog then only responds to food instead of commands you give without treats. Not only that, but over-feeding on treats can result in them putting on weight.45. Not understanding your dog's love language
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There are certain things each dog will like as a reward or a sign of affection - and not all dogs are the same, which is why you need to learn your dog's so you can show them you love them. Some dogs love belly rubs while others might be anxious about that. Some feel rewarded if you play fetch with them.46. Saying commands when you can't follow through with them
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Training your dog to obey commands is all about completion from start to finish! If you're shouting at them to 'come' you need to have the time and space to wait until they obey, or be in a situation where they can actually obey. If you're shouting for your dog to come to you while walking over to them, it's not the way to do it!47. Thinking your dog is being bad when they just don't understand
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A lot of dog owners can confuse their dog simply not understanding a command with purposefully misbehaving - which is bad training, and can lead to you scalding your dog for no reason. Give your dog time to understand commands and follow them through, and then you'll know when they're misbehaving!48. Asking people to look after your dog
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Okay, so this one depends on who it is, and the situation. But in most cases, a lot of dog owners will ask a friend or family member to look after their dog while away on vacation - which is all well and good if everything goes right. But if something goes wrong? You need to be sure the person can handle your dog at their worst, or in an emergency situation.49. Responding to bad behavior in a positive way
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You might not even realize you're doing it, but you could be reinforcing bad behavior. If you don't like your dog on the bed or couch, are you laughing or patting them on the head as you nudge them off? Are you stroking them while telling them no? Be clear when you mean yes and when you mean no!50. Using strong cleaning products around the house
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It's important to be aware of your dog's safety when using cleaning products around the house, especially floor cleaners where your dog is going to be walking. Most cleaning products can be toxic to dogs, so make sure you're not placing a treat on the floor for them if you've recently cleaned it!What To Read Next
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