What are the five big mistakes new dog owners should avoid?

The five taboos for first-time dog owners are as follows. First, skipping deworming – many people assume their dog looks clean and rarely deworm it, but dogs have a high risk of parasite infection, which seriously affects their health. Second, skipping vaccinations – a dog’s vaccines include both infectious-disease and rabies vaccines; regular vaccination protects not only the dog but also the family’s safety. Third, over-bathing – bathing too often strips the skin’s oil layer and easily leads to shedding and skin infections; generally avoid bathing more than once a week. Fourth, careless feeding – many human foods such as onions, chocolate, grapes and chives are toxic to dogs. Fifth, long-term confinement – dogs need regular walks; keeping them indoors all the time harms their physical and mental health and may lead to destructive behavior.