The most common mistakes people make.

MSNBC had this great article on the most common mistakes people make:


http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24366592/


I had some thoughts that I wanted to post here.

Impulsive adoptions/purchases

I have to say that I really wish that not only would new pet owners take these things into consideration but also rescue groups and shelters. Failing to screen properly could be disastrous for that animal. There are too many situations that could be worse for an animal that euthanasia. It seems too many are just so anxious to save as many animals as possible that they forget about the quality of the animal's life. We shouldn't impulsively place animals with people that have not been thoroughly screened.


When people don't think things through before adopting or purchasing an animal - the best case scenario this results in the animal being returned to the rescue group or shelter or breeder. Commonly this results in traumatizing the animal when they get dumped at the shelter because people are too embarrassed to admit to the person they got the animal from that they didn't take the responsibility of owning a dog seriously. Worse off are the animals that end up tied on a chain and starving to death because people literally forget that they exist!


Owning an animal is a serious responsibility. It shouldn't be a decision that is made lightly. People need to take the time to consider all the ups and downs that could happen over the course of the next 20 years. Do they really have what it takes to provide a lifelong home?


Buying from a pet store

In my opinion, anyone still buying a dog from a pet store ought to have to visit the puppy mill it came from. Really, I could say a few choice words to people still buying dogs from pet stores but I don't dare to post them here. Puppy Mills are all over the news these days (even Oprah did a special on it!) but some people just don't care! Seriously if you walk into a pet store and there are puppies for sale, you should turn around and walk out. Don't buy a single thing and notify the management of why you refuse to spend your money at their store. I can't believe that it's even still legal to buy a dog at a pet store!! I especially cannot believe the AKC lets them register the dogs as well. It makes me physically ill to think about the horrors the parents of these puppies must suffer.

Killing with kindness

I admit to sometimes being guilty of this but agree that you can't allow your animals to rule the house. My dogs are spoiled and get their way sometimes too often but some boundaries are important.

I really think that all too often people aren't consistent or don't know how to communicate their boundaries with their animals which results in many behavioral problems. It seems most often with puppies, people don't worry about behavioral issues until they are 8 months old and out of control. Boundaries should be set and clearly communicated from the first day you bring a dog home - no matter the age. My foster dogs tend to earn privileges as time goes by and I can trust them (things like being left loose in the house while I am gone or sleeping are definitely privileges).

Focusing on punishments rather than rewards

I wish more people knew and understood the realm of reward based training that is out there for their animals. Positive training is not only affective but it helps you build a stronger bond with your animal. They learn to love you even more than you thought possible! You learn to appreciate their individual personality on a level you never could have thought possible. At least that's been my experience.

It's easy and effective and I wish everyone would do it. I'm not the best salesman but I wish I could tell everyone just to give it a try because it works!!

Assuming your pet is a person in fur clothing

I loved this statement and didn't think there was any better way to sum it up:

"Keep in mind that pets tend to think in different and often much simpler terms than we do. They aren't walking around all day plotting how to get back at you for leaving them at home while you go to work or to punish you for what you have or haven't done for them lately. Accusing an animal of being spiteful or stubborn does a great disservice to them and tends to create a barrier to a healthy relationship."

Not spaying or neutering pets

To me this seems like a common sense issue. Why would anyone (outside of those that compete in conformation) want to have an unaltered animal these days? Why would anyone want to have to go through having a dog in heat in their house or dealing with the marking issues that unaltered males commonly have? Why don't people consider all the medical benefits of getting fixed?

I just can't comprehend why people still want to breed and why people still have issues getting their pets altered. We are living in a country where tens of thousands of animals are euthanized each year because of lack of appropriate homes? How could anyone possibly justify creating more dogs or cats (whether or not it is intentional) is beyond what I can understand.

Anyone who has an unaltered dog of any kind or who is considering breeding should watch this video:

http://www.brightlion.com/InHope/InHope.aspx

If the video makes you the least bit sad - GO GET YOUR ANIMAL FIXED TODAY!

Lack of supervision between pets and children

Pets should never be left with small children unsupervised. This seems obvious to me? Isn't it obvious to everyone else too?