Pet care
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Ask guests to have the dog sit before interacting with it.
This usually calms the dog down enough to hold its pee.
- Does not work every time.
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Train your dog not to eat any food without explicit permission, even if it is placed directly in front of them.
You may not see the dog eating or have time to give a release command.
- Some dogs may still consider food on the floor fair game.
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Check if your dog's breed and coat type require thermal protection in cold weather.
Short-haired dogs without an undercoat may need assistance in temperatures below -15°C.
- Stray dogs living outdoors develop thick pads naturally.
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Do not tell someone they share a name with your dog.
It is not a good conversation starter and can cause awkward silence or offense.
- Ensure the association is positive if mentioned.
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Walk a new dog on a leash around the yard to check for escape holes in fences.
Dogs can wiggle through small holes in fence lines.
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Place plastic spike pads on furniture to make it uncomfortable for dogs.
The discomfort discourages the dog from lying down there without causing real damage.
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Request the owner's approval before handling any animal, regardless of how approachable it seems.
Some dogs dislike being touched by outsiders; a dog that tolerates its owner may still bite you.
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- Teach children never to touch or grab animals without explicit permission from the owner.1
Ask for assistance from a blind person if you see their guide dog's harness lying flat on its back.
This is a trained signal indicating the handler requires help.
- Many people do not know this signal.
- Some argue the mechanism is invalid because the general population isn't trained to recognize it.
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Use motion-activated air sprayers to deter dogs from forbidden areas when you are not present.
The loud, surprising burst of mist teaches the animal that the area is off-limits; after a couple of months, the habit forms and the device can be removed.
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Avoid giving dogs small bones.
Small bones pose a hazard regardless of the dog's desire for them.
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Walk your dog regularly to provide necessary stimulation and new smells.
Dogs need new smells and confinement without walks is likened to prison.
- Some dogs may have seasonal allergies that make walking uncomfortable.
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Give a light tug or pull to move your dog along if it sniffs too long or licks unknown objects during a walk.
A light pull lets them know it's time to move.
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Never trust an owner's claim that their dog does not bite or is friendly when approaching them.
Owners may ignore aggressive behavior; one person was bitten by a dog held by the collar after the owner claimed it would not bite.
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Do not acknowledge or interact with working dogs, such as guide, drug-sniffing, or police dogs.
Interaction distracts them; it is rude to service dog handlers and can cause serious legal trouble with police dogs.
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Foster a dog temporarily to test how it impacts your life before committing to adoption.
It helps you better make the decision about ownership.
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Train your dog to respond consistently to 'come' and 'wait' commands.
These commands are critical for safety and can prevent accidents like running into vehicle traffic.
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Recognize that loose dogs in cars distract drivers, potentially causing accidents like running red lights.
A driver with a loose dog ran a red light, totaling a vehicle and hospitalizing passengers.
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Train your dog not to chase people or act aggressively to avoid legal liability and social stigma.
This can save thousands in lawyer bills and lawsuits; people generally think you're an asshole when your dog is an asshole.
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Choose dog seatbelts that loop around the headrest rather than hooking into the seatbelt buckle.
Dogs can easily undo buckle hooks by stepping on them.
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Do not train dogs to suppress growling.
Growling is a critical warning sign that the dog is uncomfortable; removing it removes the warning.
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Get your dog accustomed to having their face, ears, and paws touched early on so grooming and vet visits are not overwhelming.
They won't find experiences like nail trims, teeth brushing, or ear cleaning overwhelming.
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Do not feed other people's dogs without explicit permission from the owner.
Some dogs have severe allergies or dietary restrictions (e.g., milk bones causing diarrhea) that owners must manage.
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Inform your homeowners insurance company that you own a dog.
Failing to do so leaves you wide open to liability.
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Ignore your dog completely when you arrive home by walking past it as if you do not see it.
Giving attention or acting excited increases the dog's excitement, making it more likely to pee.
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Do not leave your dog unattended outside stores; either leave the dog at home or bring a buddy to wait with them.
Unattended animals may violate 'dog at large' bylaws, and if someone approaches and the dog bites, you face significant legal trouble.
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If you are living in poverty, do not get a dog.
Irresponsible ownership often stems from an inability to afford proper care.
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Respect dog boundaries and do not approach unrestrained dogs, even if they appear friendly.
Any dog is capable of attacking.
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Do not turn around and head home immediately after your dog relieves itself; continue the walk.
Turning back immediately may reinforce a rush to finish so the dog can return to its bed.
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Do not get German Shepherds or Malinois unless you already have solid knowledge of dogs.
They are not suitable for those without prior experience; Malinois specifically require being well-trained by someone who understands them.
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If introducing a new pet to an existing one, associate the newcomer with positive experiences like feeding time to build friendship.
One person reported that associating their German Shepherd with food while holding their elderly cat turned them into best friends.
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Ignore claims that a dog is 'fine' if it appears agitated or aggressive, prioritizing your own dog's distress over the other owner's assessment.
The other owner's perception of their dog being fine does not negate your dog's fear.
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Use context and whole-body language to interpret dog signals rather than relying on single indicators.
Single indicators can have opposite meanings depending on the situation.
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Consider that shelter adoption checks may be designed to ensure adopters can properly care for pets, rather than being pointless red tape.
The forms and checks are intended to verify the ability to look after the pet.
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Muzzle-train your dog if you are concerned about unpredictable interactions with other unleashed dogs or people.
It prevents injury to children, other dogs, or the owner during encounters with aggressive animals.
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Avoid approaching service dogs with your own dog.
Service dogs may briefly forget their training, becoming overly excited or lashing out protectively.
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If your cat bangs loudly on a door, check if they are out of food.
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If your dog has a history of aggression toward small dogs, do not force interactions even if the other owner claims their dog is tough or brave.
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If you are strongly motivated to help shelter animals, consider moving into a house to foster dogs or donating money to shelters.
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Make crates comfortable with towels, toys, and covers so dogs view them as positive retreats.
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