Surprising Ways We Break our Dog's Spirit

There are lots of things that are "common knowledge" when it comes to pet ownership. However, some of these commonly believed notions can actually be counterproductive. According to an article I recently read on PetMD, for instance, it's not a good idea to yell at your dog or rub its nose in its urine if it has an accident in the house. Dogs don't feel guilt for having an accident; instead they are afraid of your emotional outburst.

A dog's kennel is supposed to be its safe place; therefore, it is not a good idea to use the kennel as a punishment. If your dog has a house or kennel, your desire is that the dog will want to be in the kennel and be protected from the elements.

We've all noticed how excited our pets are when we return home, whether we were gone 15 minutes or eight hours. However, you shouldn't leave your dog alone regularly for inordinate amounts of time. Dogs are social creatures. They need companionship for their mental and physical well-being. If you have to leave your dog alone for 10-12 hours a day, consider leaving your pup with a family member or a doggie day care facility, where he can play and get some attention.

If you'd like to read more about this, check out PetMD.