53 mistakes every dog owner makes

Most of the commonly used cleaning products in our homes are toxic, so even though you’re trying to help your dog by keeping his space clean, you may be doing harm, says Gary Richter, DVM, and member of Rover.com’s Dog People Panel.

Even if they are not directly exposed to these products, they may walk over a floor that has been mopped and then lick their feet and be exposed to toxins.

Check the label: any product with bleach and ammonia are hazardous to animals. Instead, he suggests scrubbing with things like baking soda or salt that leave no toxic residue.

Too many treats of any kind can cause health problems but homemade treats, in particular, are often not nutritionally balanced, Dr. Richter says.

A few here and there are totally fine (as long as all your ingredients are safe for dogs!) but they should be a very small percentage of the overall diet, he says.

“Dogs don’t understand synonyms so yelling ‘hey’ ‘cut it out’ or ‘quit’ when you mean ‘stop’ won’t work,” says Brett Podolsky, co-founder of The Farmer’s Dog.

Dogs need consistency to learn, so teach your dog one word and only one word for each command and stick with it, he says.

If your dog gets a little scared and starts to whimper, your instinct is to comfort them with snuggles, pets and soothing words.

But dogs aren’t human beings, and they simply don’t understand consolation, Podolsky says.

“By giving them extra attention in those moments, you’re actually just giving them feedback that being scared is a good thing,” he says.

Blame clever marketing, but there’s a widespread misconception that kibble or “dental snacks” will keep dogs’ teeth clean and remove plaque. Don’t believe the hype, Podolsky says.

“You would never use cereal to clean your own teeth. There’s only one way to keep your dog’s teeth clean: brushing them,” he says.

To be effective, a punishment for bad behaviour needs to come immediately after the behaviour.

Showing anger after the fact will only confuse them, Podolsky says.

So when you come home to find pee on the carpet, punishing your dog then won’t help since they likely made the mess hours earlier and won’t connect the two.

Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car – even for “just a minute” – while they run an errand.

“Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: on a hot day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar in just minutes,” says Ben Williamson, senior international media director for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“Dogs can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes.”

Just don’t leave your dog in a car.

Humans wear shoes so you may not realise just how hot a sidewalk or road can get. A footpath can get hot enough to cause burns, permanent damage, and scarring to sensitive foot pads, Williamson says.

Always test the pavement with your hand before setting out, walk early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler, carry water, and take frequent breaks in shady spots and never make dogs wear muzzles that restrict their breathing, he advises.

Incidents in which dogs are seriously injured or even killed at grooming salons are alarmingly common, Williamson says. They can suffer cuts, burns, or even heat exhaustion.

“The best way to prevent accidents is by using a groomer who makes house calls so that both your animal companion and the groomer are under your supervision,” he says.

“If that’s not possible, ask to be present during the grooming.”

Even if your dog sees the groomer on the regular, chances are she still needs some care in between visits. Instead of seeing this as a chore, look at it as a chance to bond, Williamson says.

“Regular bathing, brushing, and clipping will help you build a rapport and trust with your animal companion while keeping her looking and feeling healthy,” he says.