53 mistakes every dog owner makes

“Too many people have the impression that raising a calm, peaceful, social, respectful, patient, obedient dog requires constantly feeding them treats,” Newman says.

Giving them too many treats not only takes a toll on their health but can actually backfire when it comes to training, teaching them to respond only to food and nothing else.

Anything your dog enjoys is a reward, Newman says. This includes praise, pets, belly rubs, going on a walk, sniffing, playing with toys, meeting friends, fetching a ball and so on. Your dog needs those rewards just as much as (or more than) the edible kind, he says.

Yelling “come” repeatedly as you chase your dog around the park is only teaching him that he gets attention when he misbehaves, Newman says. “To stop this trend, say commands only when you can make them happen,” he explains.

For example, only say “come” when you can crouch and be happy and lure with a treat, or even pull on a long leash. Eventually, your dog will learn to respond to the command alone.

Did your dog ignore your command to sit because he’s being a butthead or because he doesn’t really know what you mean? Too often poor behaviour is simply the result of poor training, Newman says.

“Either your dog doesn’t understand the command, or he does and you have to take each possibility in turn,” he says.

Start by making sure he’s trained well to understand what each command means before assuming he’s being naughty.

“Unexpected health conditions and accidents can occur at any time – from dog bloat to chewed-up furniture to pet escapes – and while a friend or family member may love your pets, they likely do not have the expertise (or the funds) to handle such situations if they occur,” Stultz-Hairston says.

To avoid a potential tragedy, hire a professional dog sitter or at the very least make sure your friend or family member is briefed on how to handle emergency situations.

Many dog owners create a monster by inadvertently reinforcing bad behaviours, says Jme Thomas, executive director of Motley Zoo Animal Rescue.

For example, when you pet a dog who is growling or acting out, you probably think you’re telling them “It’s OK, I’m here” but what they are learning is that they get attention for being bad, Thomas explains.

Positive reinforcement works much better.

Yelling at your dog when she spreads the garbage all over the floor may make you feel better, but it won’t help your dog learn not to do it again, Thomas says.

“Discipline is not about berating them to make a point; dogs need black and white, small, simple cues that say ‘I like that’ or ‘I don’t like that,” Thomas explains.

Once you’ve established those cues, it’s very important to always be consistent using them.

“We have seen so many owners create health problems in their dogs – sometimes to the point of crippling pain or disease – because of over-feeding them,” Thomas says.

There are so many ways to show your dog you love him that don’t involve food.

In fact, making sure your dog stays a healthy weight is a great way to show how much you care.

Leash-training is an essential skill for all dogs to learn. Not teaching your dog to do well on a leash is like not teaching your child to read, Thomas says.

Unfortunately, many owners see the leash as a bad thing and use it inappropriately, including letting their dogs off-leash at inappropriate times.

“Leash training is a gift you give your dog, not a punishment,” Thomas adds.

“Your dog is the equivalent of a human three-year-old,” Thomas says. This means they have a limited vocabulary, a basic understanding of social cues and some self-control. So even if your dog can open door knobs or jump rope, they still need to be protected.

“Rather than thinking your dog is ‘so smart’ because she follows you so diligently, recognise [that by putting her in situations she can’t handle] all you are doing is endangering your beloved dog for your own selfish needs and desires,” Thomas adds.