Top 10 Newbie Dog Care Taboos to Avoid

New dog owners often fall into the trap of anthropomorphizing their pets, guessing at their thoughts without considering their actual needs and taboos.

Top Ten Taboos for Dog Owners:

First Taboo: Bathing

When a new puppy comes home, it might be smelly, dirty, and its fur might be a mess.

As the new owner, you might be eager to make your furry friend look clean and pretty, but hold your horses! The puppy is adjusting to a new environment, feeling scared of new people and objects around it. During this time, the puppy's immune system is weak, and bathing can easily lead to a cold, which could cause lifethreatening diseases, even canine distemper.

Remember, never rush to bathe your new puppy.

If it's very dirty, you can limit its movement area or use a dry cleaning method. You can use a towel dipped in a little warm water to wipe its body. Just don't soak it completely or use a showerhead to rinse it.

It's generally recommended to wait at least 20 days after bringing the puppy home to bathe it, and be aware that it's not advisable to bathe a puppy immediately after vaccination.

Dogs naturally have a protective layer on their skin, so they don't need to be bathed as frequently as humans. After bathing, it's important to dry their fur promptly to prevent skin diseases.

Second Taboo: Deworming

Deworming and vaccinations are crucial for dogs, whether it's for external or internal parasites.

However, deworming a new puppy can cause a lot of discomfort and may lead to illness. Forceful deworming can also make the puppy afraid of its owner.

For minor internal parasites, the owner can tolerate them for a while.

For dogs with external parasites, the owner should isolate them from people, ideally keeping the dog in a cage. You can also use a flea collar to reduce the puppy's fear and anxiety.

Wait until the puppy has adjusted to its new environment and is eating and sleeping well before performing internal deworming.

Third Taboo: Feeding Meat and Milk

When it comes to food, don't assume that what's good for you is good for your dog. Avoid feeding your dog leftovers or human food, as it's not nutritionally balanced and is often too salty for them.

Dogs have different dietary needs, and many human foods can be toxic or even fatal to them. The most important rule for dog owners is not to give their pets human food.

To keep your dog healthy, avoid feeding highsodium foods and opt for a balanced diet of highquality dog food. Choose lowsodium, lowfat, and nutritious natural dog food to ensure your dog's health. Dog food is already sufficient to cover their daily nutritional needs, and dogs don't have the same taste preferences as humans, so you don't have to worry about them getting bored.

New dog owners should be aware that puppies have delicate digestive systems. Meat and milk can cause stomach issues. Never feed these to your dog, as they can lead to diarrhea and are difficult to treat when the puppy's immune system is weak. It's best to ask the previous owner for some of their old dog food or use goat's milk or rice porridge as a transitional food when you bring your puppy home.

Fourth Taboo: Feeding Schedule and Amount

During the puppy stage, dogs don't know when they're full, so it's important to feed them in appropriate amounts. Follow a "little and often" feeding schedule for puppies.

Adult dogs can be fed twice a day, with a little more food at night. Avoid irregular feeding times, as this can be bad for their digestion. It's best to feed them at the same time and in the same amount.

Regular feeding can help dogs develop a conditioned reflex, stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, increase appetite, and promote digestion and absorption.

Fifth Taboo: Allowing Puppies to Chew on Bones

It's a common misconception that dogs should eat bones.

Many people think all bones are suitable for dogs to chew on, but this is not true. For example, the bones of chickens, ducks, and geese are very thin and sharp, and if dogs swallow them, they can easily injure their esophagus. Therefore, never feed puppies the bones of chickens, ducks, or geese.

Once the puppy is about 6 months old and has changed its teeth, you can give it large bones from pigs or cows to gnaw on, or choose some dental chews like chicken strips, which can help with both gnawing and improving coat health.

Sixth Taboo: Allowing Dogs to Eat Liver to Their Heart's Content

Many dogs love liver, as it has a strong smell and is rich in nutrients.

However, many dog owners are not aware that overeating liver can be dangerous to their pets. Longterm consumption of liver can lead to obesity, skin itching, vitamin A toxicity, calcium deficiency, bleeding, and postpartum convulsions, which are very dangerous.

When feeding liver to your dog, be sure to control the amount. I personally recommend not giving puppies liver mixed with rice.

Seventh Taboo: Not Setting Boundaries

Dogs are very territorial animals. If you open up all areas for your dog when it first arrives, it will be difficult to confine it to a specific area later.

When you bring your dog home, set up a designated area for it to eat, drink, and use the bathroom. Gradually expand its territory as it becomes more comfortable in its new home.

Eighth Taboo: Taking Puppies Out Too Soon

Before the puppy has received its third vaccination and is fully protected against viruses, it's best not to take it outside, especially not to let it walk on the ground.

Bacteria on the ground can easily infect the puppy, which can lead to illness.

Ninth Taboo: Exercise and Training

When taking your dog out for exercise, always use a leash.

Don't overdo the exercise for puppies; 30 minutes to 1 hour is sufficient. Avoid being too demanding during training.

Play games with your dog to keep them active and strengthen the bond between you and your pet. You can also reward your dog with treats like chicken jerky, dental chews, and meat snacks during training. This not only helps with training but also provides dental care and makes your dog enjoy spending time with you even more.

Tenth Taboo: Using Human Shampoo on Dogs

Many new dog owners think that human shampoos smell nice and are good for us, so they want to use the same products for their pets.

However, using human shampoos, conditioners, and hair care products can dry out your dog's skin, cause it to age prematurely, and lead to hair loss, and in severe cases, even cause skin diseases.

Always use dogspecific shampoos to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.