Five Mistakes to Avoid When Bringing Your New Dog Home

But there are several common mistakes new dog-owners can make, and avoiding these can make the responsibilities of pet care a little easier, according to the Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS).

"People are generally aware of the ‘do’s’ of dog ownership," says PIAS consultant Susie Chaseling, "For example, do get your dog vaccinated annually, and do make time to exercise and play together each day. But there are also some simple little ‘don’ts’ that can be just as important, and being aware of them will help you and your dog settle in together."

According to PIAS, the five most common mistakes new dog owners make are:

Assuming small dogs require less work or space than larger breeds

It is worth remembering that many small or "toy" breeds have boundless energy and need as much exercise and attention – if not more – than some larger dogs.

Giving your dog an inappropriate name

"Part of the fun of getting a dog is deciding on a name," Ms Chaseling says. It’s important to select a name that is short and easy for the pet to understand, and that can’t be confused with an instruction such as Beau which can be confused with ‘no’

Being too soft-hearted

A puppy or even an older dog may whimper or appear restless on its first few nights in a new home. "It’s important your new dog has a warm and secure place to sleep but this shouldn’t necessarily mean on your bed or favourite sofa," Ms Chaseling

says. "Don’t be too soft-hearted – decide where your dog will sleep and make sure you, and the dog, stick to it. Otherwise you may start a habit that is hard to break."

Fail to train and socialise from the start

People underestimate their puppy’s ability to learn. Dogs should begin learning the basic commands (sit, and come when called) from the moment you first take them home. "Dogs also need to learn social skills, a good way to ensure they get this from an early age is to ask your vet about puppy schools and puppy parties," says Ms Chaseling.

Giving up on training too easily

For most dogs training doesn’t happen over night. You must be consistent and persistent to reap long term rewards. According to PIAS, usually mistakes are made in all innocence, because it is natural to want to spoil a new dog. "But a dog looks to its owner for leadership, and it will respond well to clear rules and a regular routine," Ms Chaseling says. "If you provide these, your dog will understand the do’s and don’ts and then there’s no limit to the amount of enjoyment you can have together."