Since anyone can get a dog, many people who should not own dogs end up acquiring them through various means. Sometimes they receive them as gifts. Sometimes they buy them for horrible reasons, such as for dog fighting. Sometimes they buy them without a clue about what a dog needs.
- People Who Travel a Lot and Leave Their Dogs in Kennels
Dogs cannot be left alone for a few days, like cats, with a person checking in on them once or twice. Most dogs are not litter-trained, and they need to go outside to do their business. They drink and eat more than cats, and a limited supply of food or water can run out very quickly. And unlike cats, they can get lonely and upset very quickly if left alone. - People Who Leave Their Dogs in Hot Cars
On warm days, you will often find a dog in a parked car in any given parking lot. Sometimes the window will be left open a little, and sometimes not. Many times the dog will be a big breed with tons of hair to act like a fur coat. And every year a number of dogs die of heatstroke or death because they have been left in a car that turned into an oven within minutes. The owners who think that dogs do not succumb to heat should not be allowed to own dogs.
Knowledgeable and caring owners leave their dogs at home on a hot day. If they bring them out for a car ride, then they have a friend who can look after them when they run into a store, or they leash them up outside in the shade. They do not leave them in a car that can become an instant death trap due to high heat.
I should add that I looked for statistics on this, but I couldn’t find any. However, I know that I see this at least once per day during the summer, so I would have to make an intelligent guess and say the statistics would show a high occurrence of death or injury from this point.
- People Who Leave Their Dogs Outside All Day
So many dogs live a life outside, away from their owners and other pets that are inside. Whether the owner has an acre of land, a small yard, or a balcony, dogs should not be left outside all day. Any owner who thinks that this is best should not own a dog.
Dogs are pack animals and have a strong attachment to their human family. They need attention and love, and being isolated outside all day can cause them a lot of mental pain. Additionally, outside dogs are at risk for injury from animals, humans, and the weather. They are also more likely to be stolen and sold for profit. Lastly, they can become yard aggressive and be hostile to everyone, even people they know, who invade their property.
- People Who Do Not Exercise Their Dogs
You don’t need to be a dog expert to know that dogs love to play, walk, and run. Dogs are naturals when it comes to exercise. Without exercise, they can become overweight and bored. Walks and backyard excursions often bring about many interesting things to see and do.
Some dogs can get their exercise from playing with another dog or running around the backyard; however, if a household has no other pets and no backyard, and the owner does not enjoy playing with their dog or taking him or her for walks, then the owner should not own a dog.
- People Who Do Not Consider a Dog’s Dietary Needs
Just like humans and all other creatures on Earth, dogs live because of food. Without food, they would die. Some people think that dogs can eat anything and thrive on it, and these people should not own dogs.
Cheap dog food is often made up of ingredients that dogs do not need, like grain, corn, and additives. Not only are these ingredients (fillers) not nutritious for dogs, but they often make up the bulk of cheap dog food.
Dogs are carnivores, which means they need a diet full of meat. However, not all dogs are the same, and their diet needs can vary depending on their age, health, and activity level. Oils, organ meat, vegetables, and vitamins can all be an important part of a dog’s diet, and responsible owners know this.
- People Who Smoke
I see this one a lot, especially with older men and their little Shih Tzus. They are driving down the road with their windows rolled up, and the old man is smoking his life away. The poor dog doesn’t have a choice in the matter, and the owner doesn’t really care. (I also see this with little kids in the car.)
A dog is made up of some of the same stuff we are. They have teeth that need to be cared for. They have a stomach, heart, and brain, and they have lungs. I used to smoke, but I knew enough to keep it to myself and spare my dogs the toxins that I knew were bad for them and me.