Tim Handorf has graciously allowed me to re-post this helpful and thought provoking list:
:

10 Common Mistakes That Pet Owners Make

The following are common mistakes made by pet owners:

Not doing their research-
Deciding that you or your family are getting a pet should be taken into careful and well thought consideration. After understanding that new pets will require a lot of time and attention, it is important to not choose a pet right away that you don’t know much about. It is a good idea to shop around and see what types of pet attracts your interest- but make sure you do your research and know what type of pet you are getting before you bring it home. Be sure to research the pet’s needs, and what caring and living processes they will need.

Not spaying or neutering pets-
As many shelters across the country being at full capacity, it is no wonder that pet overpopulation is an increasing problem. Spaying and neutering your pets can not only help decrease this problem, but is also believed to make your pet healthier and at less risks for contracting diseases. In male animals, neutering can reduce aggression and eliminate the pets urges to roam around and escape. Spaying in female pets will eliminate heat cycles and spotting.

Not supervising children and pets-
Regardless of the type or breed of animal you have, children should never be left unattended with family pets. Even though many animals are tolerant of children and their attention, you never know when the pet will react to being played with too much or being pulled too hard. Whether the animal has ever reacted negatively before or not, it doesn’t mean that they won’t react when pushed, so it is important to have proper supervision when animals and children are together.

Not taking their animal to the vet- Yearly check-ups and pet medicines and shots are very important to the health of your pet and your family. Not getting your dog checked up can cause major health problems for your beloved pet, if something goes undetected. Keeping up with de-worming pills and medications, as well as flea and tick medicine is also important to the health and safety of your pets. Failure to administer these medications to your pet will not only harm your pet, but can also spread diseases to your family as well.

Getting your pets too comfortable- Many people like to spoil their pets by letting them sleep inside, in their beds, and basically let them roam around free in their homes. If you are prepared for your pet to do this at all times, that is fine. However, if this is not what you intend for your pet, do not let them get used to it, because it will be hard a hard habit to break; it’s best to just make boundaries and commands clear when it comes to where your pet is allowed and what your pet is allowed to do.

Not exercising with your pet- Most pets need exercise so that they don’t become obese or develop heart problems. The amount of exercise depends on the type and size of the pet you have. Not exercising with your pet can also led to high energy levels, which will likely cause them to get into trouble or become more aggressive and chew on things they aren’t supposed to, dig where they shouldn’t, and bite up things they are not supposed to. The same goes for pets that are left alone for too long or cooped up in a cage, kennel, or small area all day.

Yelling at pets after accidents or tearing something up Many people scream, yell, and try to discipline their pets when they come home to find that their pet has done something wrong. This is not an effective manner in which to discipline your pet because they are being yelled and punished after the fact, so they do not know why they are being yelled at. It will not likely help to train the animal otherwise; it is best to reward the animal immediately and accordingly, such as if they do use the bathroom in the correct place.

No setting rules and boundaries A lot of people don’t know the extent and hard work it takes to train pets. Pets do not know what’s wrong and off boundaries until they are taught so. The do not know right from wrong and it is the responsibility of the owner to train and make clear that jumping on people, scratching or nibbling on furniture, and peeing in the house on the carpet or floor is not what they are supposed to do. For help with training your pets, you can find plenty of guidelines and research online or you can consult a trainer.

Overfeeding your pet- Overfeeding our pets is one of the most innocent, but dangerous things we can do to our pets. Overfeeding a pet can cause obesity, which raises a number of other health hazards such as improper digestion, heart failure, and muscle strains. Since obesity signs are not always seen and obvious in many animals, and they will eat as long as there is food around, it is important for pet owners to feed their animals appropriately based on their breed, size, and weight.

Not having a plan for your pet in case of an emergency Emergencies happen. Whether you’re looking at your hometown being hit by hurricanes, flash floods, fire, or other natural disasters, it is important to also keep the safety of your pets in mind. You don’t want to risk having to leave your beloved pet behind at home, so make sure you know what shelters, hotels, relatives houses, or other places you plan to stay in case of an emergency, are pet-friendly.

It's worth a thought...
Thanks Tim

Cheers

Rev. Steve

P.S. I plead GUILTY of #9