7 harmful things to avoid to protect your dog without realizing

If you are a dog lover, you will definitely want your dog to be protected, healthy and live a long and happy life. But sometimes we may do things that could harm our family members without even realizing it. Dogs are curious, adventurous, and often act like young children, which can sometimes get them into trouble.

In this article, we want to explore some of these common errors so that you can avoid these mishaps in the future.

We all know dogs have teeth. That's why these teeth should be cleaned just like your own. Seriously, we're not kidding. Get started doing this as soon as you get your pup getting used to it. Some owners believe that giving dogs chewing sticks can replace regular brushing, but this is not true as these sticks do not clean the back teeth as well as brushing does. Do not use human toothpaste and toothbrush. Brush and putty for dogs are completely different and you can get them from your vet.

Dogs need constant mental and physical stimulation, especially working breeds. Regular walking should become an activity in your family and should be taken into consideration before you decide to buy a dog. Dogs not only need exercise, but they also need to be exposed to different sounds and smells, which makes their brain work better. If dogs don't get much stimulation, they may start doing other types of self-entertainment such as digging, chewing, or tearing things up.

Preventive treatment for fleas, ticks, worms, and heartworm is critical when owning a dog. You may be able to take a break from it in the winter if you live in a cold climate, but you should really discuss it with your vet. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Some breeds require specific care of the coat or skin, or regular grooming otherwise they may develop several problems. There are breeds that may have a predisposition to some health issues and if your dog is in that group, you should know the symptoms and always keep an eye out for them. Do you think we missed something critical? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Dogs are adventurous and cause them all kinds of problems. Make your home dog friendly by making sure anything your pet can chew or swallow, such as medicine, nails, batteries, and socks, is kept away. Socks seem to be every dog's favorite pulling toy, but keep in mind that if your dog swallows them, they can get stuck in their throats and possibly kill them.

Yes, dogs should be disciplined but physical punishment should not be the way to do this. First of all, it's animal abuse. It won't work and all you do is make sure your dog is afraid of you. Reward-based training is more effective than physical discipline. If your dog is doing naughty things all the time, maybe it's time to enroll in obedience school

Dogs are very social but think twice before taking a young puppy to the dog park. First of all, dogs can sometimes be passive carriers of diseases. Adult dogs, especially large ones, can also be very rough when playing and running, and may accidentally scare or injure your puppy.