At Viralifes, we’re big dog lovers, and we know that dogs are members of the family.

We will start exploring the 12 things that many people do that their pets hate. If you are doing one of these, you may notice your dog acting up or not being himself. Make sure you aren’t aggravating your dog unknowingly. ( No. 2 is so familiar, make sure to read it )

12. The wrong Collar

There are a lot of things we do to our dogs that we don’t think much about but can hurt them tremendously. One of the things you should be paying close attention to is what Collar you choose for them. When you go to a pet store, you might be overwhelmed – there are so many sizes, lengths, materials, and types of collars to choose from. But, don’t fret, there are several ways to figure out which Collar is the best for your pooch.

First, you must determine what size to get your dog. Make sure to measure the girth of your dog’s neck before going to the store – or take them with you! Many pet stores will provide a leash for you to use in the store, and that way, you can make sure you’re buying the right size.

Generally speaking, if your dog is small, you’ll want a thinner collar, and a thicker collar is better for larger dogs. But, another thing to consider is whether or not your pup pulls a lot while you’re walking them. If they do, you’ll want to invest in a harness so that they don’t choke or hurt themselves when they’re pulling.

Every dog has different requirements, and if you’re still confused about which Collar to purchase, then ask an employee and read the information on the Collar. By doing these few things, your furry friend will be much more comfortable and safe, and you’ll be happier too!

11. Bribe With Treats

There’s a difference between rewarding your dog with a treat and bribing them with one. During the puppy phase, giving your dog training treats when they listen to a command is a beautiful way to reinforce positive behavior.

However, it would be best if you tried rewarding them in other ways as well. Try giving your fuzzy buddy some belly rubs and love instead. By doing this, your pup won’t always associate good behavior with food. For instance, an important command is “come here.” This is essential for situations that could be dangerous for the dog. If they run out of the house near the street and don’t know how to “come here,” then they’re more likely to get hit by a car or get lost. But, if they only respond when you’re holding a treat, and you don’t have one handy, then they’re in trouble.

So, using food is an excellent method of training, but make sure to switch it up with other techniques as well.

10. Leaving In The Car

This one should go without saying, but don’t leave your dog in the car, especially on a hot day! Your dog’s temperature can increase very quickly. Dogs don’t sweat as we do and mostly rely on panting to keep cool. Although a dog’s fur will work as insulation for a while to keep them cool, after they heat up, it takes much longer for them to get back down to an average temperature. Plus, a pup’s method of temperature control isn’t as efficient as a human’s sweat is.

So, imagine how hot you would be in that car! Your dog is much hotter than you and could experience heatstroke at a faster rate. The best way to avoid this is to NEVER leave your dog in your car. You may not think it’s hot, but it’s not worth the risk.

9. Kennel As Punishment

Kennel training, your dog is a beautiful thing to do from the time they’re a puppy. It’s beneficial at times when you need them to stay put – like if you’re moving furniture and don’t want to trip over your pooch.

The kennel also serves as a den would in the wild. It’s a place your dog should feel safe and comfortable. One of the biggest mistakes dog owners makes using the kennel as a form of punishment. We often put our dogs in their kennel when we’re upset because they’ve done something wrong, similar to a “time out” for a toddler. However, your dog doesn’t know why they’re getting the “time out” and only associates going in the kennel with you being upset.

So, please don’t put them up when they’ve done something wrong. It will result in problems down the road.

8. Lack Of Exercise

We all get busy with life. Work, school, chores, errands – sometimes the time just gets away from us. Despite these regular life events, dog owners need to take the time to get their pet’s energy out. Most dogs are naturally energetic. They love to run, fetch, play, and swim and need to do these things before they can calm down.

The lack of doing physical activities can harm you and your dog in the long run. When your pup is cooped up all day with nothing to do, they will resort to any means necessary to keep themselves occupied. If that means chewing up the couch or carpet while you’re away, then that’s what they’ll do. The dog doesn’t realize that some things are off-limits, especially when they haven’t been trained or are still in the puppy phase.

So, you must play with them or walk them. That way, neither you or your pooch have to suffer, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to bond!

7. No Grooming

Surprisingly, grooming is often another thing that slips under a dog owner’s radar. Dogs get dirty all the time, and it doesn’t seem to bother them. But, it’s still essential to give your dogs regular baths, trim their nails, and make sure they’re clean and healthy all around! If you don’t know how to, then take your pup into a groomer.

Nowadays, there are even mobile groomers that will come straight to your house. Without regular grooming, your dog could get matted fur, ear infections, irritated skin, ingrown nails or hair, etcetera.

If you’re afraid to trim your dog’s nails too short and knick the nerve inside, you can invest in a trimmer with a detector installed, watch tutorials, or ask your vet or groomer to trim them during check-ups or appointments.

6. Rubbing Their Nose

Another mistake that’s common among dog owners is potty training by rubbing their pup’s nose in their pee. Many times if a dog urinates inside the house, we’ve learned that it’s helpful to put their nose in it and then tell them “No!” and take them outside. This is just an old wives’ tale. Doing this will only teach your dog to fear you or hide from you. They might even think that the act of peeing is the problem. Just remember, your pooch doesn’t have the inherent knowledge that they’re supposed to relieve themselves outside. Come on, people! WE don’t even know that when we’re little.

The only place a dog thinks is out of bounds is where they sleep. Plus, forcing your dog’s face into their waste is just unethical. Simply clapping and saying “Ah-ah!” when you catch your puppy peeing inside is enough to make your point. After you’ve clapped, take your puppy outside and let them finish. Once they’ve done so, you can praise them.

When cleaning up the mess inside, you can even place the rags used to soak up pee or the piece of poop outside to reinforce that that’s where they should go.

5. Forgetting To Brush

Would you go days, weeks, or months without brushing your pearly whites? I hope the answer is “No,” and neither should your dog. Just like us, dogs develop plaque and bacteria in their mouths, which can ultimately result in tooth decay. Plus, if you brush your furry friend’s teeth regularly, it will improve that unpleasant dog breath. It will also prevent you and the dog from vet visits later on.

This task might not be easy at first, but if you take it slow, then you and the dog will get used to it. Canine toothbrushes and toothpaste are available at nearly every pet store, and there are numerous online tutorials and guides on how to go about it.

So, keep yourself informed and prepare your pooch for the first time. Treats can be helpful during the process, and going slow and being gentle go a long way as well.

4. Treats

This habit is one of the more challenging to break. I mean, look at those big puppy-dog eyes! It’s OK to give your dog treats made for them or snacks you know they can eat, like carrots, sweet potatoes, and blueberries. But, remember to do your research and don’t feed them whatever you have on your plate.

The main reason is that the food people often eat unhealthy for dogs and can even be toxic to them – think avocados, grapes, chocolate, onions, garlic, etcetera. There are probably tons of things you’ve fed your beloved pooch without knowing they were dangerous. Our meals often have sugar, salt, and fat that dogs don’t need. Plus, if you’re always feeding your pup from your plate, then they might stop eating their regular dog food and start begging.

Although we often find it adorable when our dogs look to us for a tasty snack, it can become disruptive and irritating.

3. Taking Food Away

This is something you might’ve done to your puppy, especially if they got ahold of a tasty treat they weren’t supposed to have. Keep in mind that it’s your dog’s instinct to scavenge for and guard their food. Just like other animals do in the wild, dogs protect their valuable items because it ensures survival.

Since food is essential, it’s normal for your pup to be protective of it. So, please don’t take their food away! If you remove their food or treats, it can make aggressive behavior worse. Generally speaking, guarding food isn’t a difficult thing to work with anyway.

Feeding them in a separate room or their kennel, staying away while they eat, and making sure they have enough food are all simple ways to keep you and your dog happy. But, if you’re worried about your pup biting you or others, then you should seek professional help, and if you happen to have a puppy that doesn’t guard their food. Then reinforcing that behavior by hand-feeding is essential, so they don’t develop it later on.

2. Buckle Up

Most of us let our dogs hang their heads out of the car or lay in our laps while we drive, but doing either of these things is dangerous for you and your pup.

Just like humans, dogs should be buckled in with a seatbelt. You can buy one online or at a pet store. These belts hook onto your dog’s harness and click right into the one in your vehicle. In the case of an accident, it’ll keep your pup from flying forward and severely injuring itself. Plus, when you buckle up your dog, they won’t be able to distract you while you’re driving.

Most people think it’s cute when their pet wants to cuddle up on the road, but it can be just as bad as texting when you’re at the wheel. Your dog could even roll down the window and jump out if you don’t pay attention.

So, be safe rather than sorry, and buckle in your best friend!

1. Hitting

One of the worst things you can do to a dog and should avoid at all costs is striking them. Hitting your pup will do nothing but hurt them physically and mentally. Our pets have emotions similar to ours. They can be anxious, sad, depressed, or afraid, and physical punishment will bring out all of these emotions, cause mental disorders, and make them aggressive.

Dogs will try to protect themselves, which results in biting… but honestly, who can blame them? You wouldn’t want to be backed into a corner and physically threatened. There’s also no reason to do this – with proper training techniques, classes, and tutorials available; you can achieve what you want without violence.

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