What is the worst mistake new dog owners make?

[PrincessCare]

Just curious--hope I'm not doing any of these!

One I thought of is being inconsistent--it seems from my experience that this really confuses the heck out of puppies / dogs...

[BigDogBruiser]

Weird as it may sound, I think the biggest mistake I've seen is when people give their dogs TOO much attention. It makes them needy, clingy and neurotic, and leads to really bad separation anxiety. My cousin made this mistake and now her dog freaks out big time every time my cousin leaves the house.

[novasky]

Weird as it may sound, I think the biggest mistake I've seen is when people give their dogs TOO much attention. It makes them needy, clingy and neurotic, and leads to really bad separation anxiety. My cousin made this mistake and now her dog freaks out big time every time my cousin leaves the house.

I really agree with this... there's a time for affection and a time to be the independent alpha

[PrincessCare]

Come on guys help me out here! I was hoping for some more replies!! :)

[queenkarlata]

here's one: don't let them off the hook. if you tell your dog a command and then do it, dont let them walk away from you or change position without you telling them its ok to. this way they know that you are leader and they take commands from you. and YOU say when they're done sitting. i found that when i really focus on that with my dog he comes when called quicker and obeys commandds quicker as well. he has more respect for me. its nice. :D

[Kimeliz71]

Oh No! That describes Sadie to a T!! I have been off of work for the first month that we had her and will be returning next Monday. All I do is give her attention. I can't help it. she is so darn cute and I feel so bad for her just knowing that just let her go one night and she may not be alive if it was not for my fiance Doug finding her. We do discipline her and we dont overly spoil her but she is my best friend during the day and she is with me every second. I hope she does not develop separation anxiety. Have I created a monster???

[MiniPinscherOwner]

That's my 7 mo. old baby girl, she even cries if i go to a room and the door is closed. And when i go out after a while out of sight out of mind but iv'e been told she just cries and cries for like 15 mins +.

[Iamme]

Inconsistancy is difinately the biggest mistake followed closely by not enough exercise and not working with the dog on basic commands (that's why there are training classes). A dog (any mammal actually) does not learn with out consistancy and practise but they also need a break for exercise. Dogs need to run...especially the hounds and the big dogs. Dog parks are great.

[Working Dog]

Dog parks are great.
I respectfully disagree with that. Dogs are pack animals and you are, or should be, the pack leader. As a pack leader, you tell the dog when it's time to eat, play, work, fight, etc... and you also protect them from harm. Think about wolves foir instance. the alpha eats first and then decides who eats after, he decides which wolves fight for dominance ( rank order) and lets them know when to stop fighting. He also protects them from threats to the pack. Now if you are the pack leader of your dog, and you are at a dog park where the dogs are runing around playing with each other and the owners are talking to each other and not paying close attetion, who is going to protect your dog if a more dominant/aggressive dog attacks your dog. Yes you can attempt to break the dog fight up, but the damage has been done and one traumatic experience can cause your dog to become dog aggressive for the rest of its life.

I'll admit the I took my dog to a dog park a couple of times when he was younger but I quickly realized that it was a bad idea. I only let my dog socialize with dogs that I personally know are submissive and even then it is always supervised.

[Mrs. B]

Weird as it may sound, I think the biggest mistake I've seen is when people give their dogs TOO much attention. It makes them needy, clingy and neurotic, and leads to really bad separation anxiety. My cousin made this mistake and now her dog freaks out big time every time my cousin leaves the house.

I must emphasize this one. i made the mistake with Sparticus and boy am I ever paying the price now, at 8 years old.

I would also say a BIG mistake I see with 1st time dog owners is the form of discipline. Spanking your dog or popping them with a rolled up newspaper isn't good. It teaches them to fear you. I punish my dog like I would a child. He gets sent to his "room" (crate). I have him trained not to come out until he's told. He misses out on family time and there are no snacks or toys allowed at that time. It usually lasts about five minutes but it has been effective.

Also, please don't rub their nose in their potty. If you haven't caught them in the act, it's kinda pointless.

[Tomba]

Oooh well said working dog. I'm not a fan of dog parks at all. You can bring your perfectly behaved dog with excellent recall, then one day somebody brings their unbalanced dog and throws him into the mix, then trouble ensues. And guess what? Now your dog is possibly messed up. Not worth the risk, really. People often make the mistake of putting human emotions of wants and needs on their pet. Unlike human children, your dog doesn't have to run and play with other dogs. If you really must, then find a suitable friend for him and have playdates at one anothers homes. My male bullmastiff was attacked in his puppy class a few times by unaltered adult male, golden retrievers and blk flat coated retreivers, owned by the trainers/owners of the facility. Yes that's what I said:rolleyes: We continued to go twice a week till he was 11mo's. He was very submissive up till then and NEVER started a fight. Sadly one day when he turned 11mo's I let him go to play with the other pups and he turned on all three goldens, and a mix. It was like a cartoon where there's nothing but a cloud of smoke and dogs are flying out one by one. All screaming it was horrible and very scary. Naturally my boy was the victor, his size and strength was formidable by then. The trainer (whos male attacked him earlier) pummled my boy on the head with her fist (I swear). She never hit her own dog when he offended. So Boo and I hung our heads in shame, left and knew we could never go back. I couldn't, I knew he would kill a dog. He's great on lead and ignores other dogs today, but I'll NEVER let him play with other dogs again. Oh and nothing sader than a poorly trained and illbehaved retreiver. No such thing as a "Family Dog". Inlaws put down their beagle, owned since 8wks because he became vicious. Said they just wanted a "Family Dog" , breed, a "Snoopy" if you will :rolleyes:

It may take once, it may take a few times, but they're never the same. You've missed the chance to see the dog they would have become. My female BM has never been attacked. So far she has no dog aggression. Hope it stays that way.

Well said Mrs.B:)

Tyler

[letsgopoopy]

The number one thing to realize about a dog is that they are absolute reinforcement machines. They will do whatever you train them to do, regarless of whether you realize you are training them to do something or not.

I disagree with the several opponents of dog parks and absolutely disagree with only exposing your dog to "submissive" dogs. Yes you will encounter the occasion altercation. Offset any negative situation with immediate positive interaction with another dog. Do not reinforce the fear and trauma.