Worst Types of Dog Parents You’ll Ever Encounter

These worst dog parents give good dog people a bad name.

Dog people are some of the best people in the world. They’re down-to-earth, outgoing and friendly, just like their furry friends. But some dog owners don’t deserve to call themselves dog people. There’s a reason dog rescues require home visits before proceeding with an adoption.

Some people like the idea of owning a dog, but they don’t have what it takes to be a responsible pet parent. These are the worst dog parents. They might not realize they’re the worst, so we spelled it out for them.

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15. Dog Parents That Pretend They Ran Out of Doggy Bags

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You know the type. They stand there, pretending to be searching for bags, when you know they didn’t bring one in the first place. They just let their dog poop wherever and hope no one’s looking. It’s not your dog’s fault that they do their business outside, but it’s also not your neighbor’s job to deal with it.

Picking up after your dog is part of the deal. Unless you’ve trained your dog to use the toilet, either bring a bag, or don’t get a dog.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

14. They Let Their Dogs Use Potty Pads Instead of Taking Them Out

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Training pads are a great tool for housebreaking dogs. They’re fine to use for older dogs that are dealing with incontinence, too.Some people seem to think that they’re meant to be indoor bathrooms for dogs, replacing bathroom breaks outside. They’re not.

Even small dogs are not meant to be treated like hamsters, being left alone in a small apartment all day without any social interaction or potty breaks. It’s OK to use potty pads as a replacement bathroom if heavy snow or other circumstances necessitate it, but not all the time.

If your dog is regularly left alone long enough to need to use a potty pad, you’re not prepared for the responsibility of owning one.

13. Dog Owners That Never Walk Their Dogs? The Worst

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Even athletically challenged dog breeds need regular exercise to stay healthy. Owning a dog isn’t that much different than raising a toddler. Toddlers don’t always want to brush their teeth or eat their veggies, but it’s your job to make sure they do.

At best, dogs who miss out on walks become lethargic and overweight. At worst, they develop separation anxiety, destructive habits out of boredom and serious health issues, like heart disease, from lack of exercise. Walking your dog, even if it’s small, is non-negotiable.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

12. Anyone Who Leaves Their Dog in the Car Is Also Pretty Terrible

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If you’ve ever left your dog in the car for a few minutes, don’t feel too bad. A minute or two won’t cause any harm, but leaving dogs in cars while making long stops to run errands is a huge red flag.

It’s dangerous in hot and cold weather alike, but hot weather is especially risky. Even on a 70-degree day, the temperature in a car can reach 113 degrees in just one hour. That’s enough to cause heatstroke.

Just don’t do it, even if you crack the window.

11. Dog Parents That Use Crates for Their Own Convenience = Also Bad

Sad black dog in cage looks through the bars

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Crate training is a fantastic tool for dog owners, but only if they know how to use them properly. Crates are supposed to be a secure place for dogs to feel safe when you can’t be around to watch them, not a prison or punishment. Shoving your dog in a crate every time they have an accident or eat something they shouldn’t creates a negative association with their crate.

Then, when their owner tries to use the crate at an appropriate time, like when they’re leaving to run errands or when unfamiliar guests are over, the poor dog is instantly anxious and fearful. They’ll assume that going in the crate means they’re in trouble, which totally misses the point of crate training.

10. Owners That Skip the Vet Should Have Bought a Goldfish

Dog lying on floor next to bowl full of dry food, refusing to eat

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We understand that animals aren’t people. It’s understandable that you wouldn’t go to the same length to save a sick or injured dog as you would a human being, but to ignore veterinary care entirely is a trademark of a bad pet parent.

Vaccines prevent your dog from contracting potentially fatal illnesses, some of which can be passed along to humans, too. An annual vet visit can also catch minor health issues that cause dogs tremendous discomfort, like ingrown nails and urinary tract infections.

Not being able to afford a $5,000 surgery? Unfortunate, but totally understandable. Not bothering to keep your pet up to date on vaccines and teeth cleanings? Irresponsible.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

9. Dog Parents That Say ‘Don’t Worry, They’re Friendly When They Most Definitely Are Not

Small dog being aggressive growling and showing teeth

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This goes for anyone who dismisses the concerns of a pedestrian, guest or fellow pet parent. It doesn’t matter if your dog is friendly. What if the person they’re jumping on is allergic, or terrified of dogs? What if their dog isn’t friendly?

Ask before allowing your dog to engage with anyone or any dog, even if they are friendly. That said, the dog owners who say stuff like this are often in denial. They often have small dogs that have been treated like toys rather than dogs, and it shows in their behavior.

A Chihuahua won’t kill anyone, but the mailman still doesn’t deserve to get his heels nipped by your “friendly” piranha.

8. Owners That Don’t Supervise Their Dogs at Dog Parks Aren’t Winning Any Awards, Either

Dog walker with Siberian husky in the park

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Being able to roam safely off-leash is the entire point of dog parks. Dog parks only stay safe when people are paying attention, however. There is no such thing as a bite-proof dog. Any dog is capable of aggression if pushed far enough.

Dog parents who sit on a bench on their phone and assume their dog is fine are tempting fate. Even good-natured play between friendly dogs can escalate to a fight if no one intervenes. Text later, and make sure your dog isn’t in the middle of a bar fight instead.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

7. Equally Bad Are the Entitled Dog Owners

Woman shopping in a supermarket with her puppy in a bag

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To anyone who genuinely needs a service dog or emotional support animal, we’re not talking about you. You’re totally fine. We’re talking about the people who think their dog should be welcome wherever they go, including restaurants and movie theaters.

Just because your dog is small and quiet, doesn’t mean it’s invited. Similarly, just because you adore your dog doesn’t mean everyone else feels the same.

Being a good pet parent means being a respectful one, and not taking your dog to places they’re not welcome.

6. Dog Parents That Let Their Dog Roam Off-Leash Under the Wrong Circumstances

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Training your dog so well that they follow your commands under any circumstances is fantastic. We wish more dog owners would do that. Allowing your dog off their leash should only be done in designated leash-free zones, however.

Aside from the risk of being fined, even the best-trained dogs can react unpredictably. If they’re startled, they could bolt and get hit by a car. If they start eating something toxic, you won’t be able to intervene until it’s too late. Even if they’re friendly, they could scare or knock over a person by mistake.

Should we go on? Even at parks, assume leashes are required unless indicated otherwise.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

5. Dog Owners That Treat Their Dogs Like Wild Animals

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Dogs are animals, but they’re domesticated animals. They were bred to cohabitate with humans, not to live on their own.

They might look similar to their wild ancestors, but they lack the survival skills to make it on their own. If you’re going to get a dog, don’t expect it to live in the yard year-round. Dogs can tolerate the elements better than we can, but leaving them in the snow overnight is simply abusive.

Leaving a dog in a fenced-in yard in good weather while you’re at work? That is completely fine.

4. Alternatively, Dog Owners That Treat Their Dogs Like People

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Before you get defensive, we’re not talking about the people who treat their dogs like family. Treating them like they’re human family is the problem. At the end of the day, dogs are dogs, and their wants and needs differ from ours.

Dressing them up in cute outfits every day is for your benefit, not theirs. Treating a dog like a baby is also likely to lead to bad behavior. Your dog needs your leadership. It’s only funny for a small dog to swipe food off the table until it takes down a toddler for a sandwich.

Even if you love dogs as much as you love people, dogs are not people. If you treat them like people, it’s only a matter of time until it backfires.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

3. Dog Owners That Choose Breeds They Can’t Handle

Dog walker struggling to walk dogs on a suburban street

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Just because a dog is beautiful or impressive doesn’t mean you’re prepared to care for it. Some of the smartest dog breeds are extremely high-maintenance.

Herding breeds need copious amounts of exercise and mental stimulation, or they can become destructive. Some breeds can become aggressive if not trained properly and given an outlet for their energy. Others need daily grooming to avoid becoming painfully matted.

Dog owners who impulse buy a cool dog breed without reading up on the breed’s temperament and care needs end up in over their heads.

2. Dog Parents That Use Rolled-Up Newspapers for Discipline

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If you lay hands on your dog, we don’t like you. Hitting dogs, even with nothing harder than a newspaper, is never OK. It doesn’t teach your dog anything but to fear you.

If they have an accident, shoving their nose in it and yelling won’t train them to go outside. Instead, read up on training methods that use positive reinforcement.

It’s much more effective and won’t result in a depressed, reactive dog that flinches whenever someone reaches out to pet them.

1. Dog ‘Parents’ That Don’t Actually Respect Dogs

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Some dog parents treat their dogs like toys rather than living, breathing animals. Dogs have the capacity to feel anxiety, sadness, stress, excitement and love just like we do. They can read our mood just by reading our body language.

The least we can do is to learn to understand theirs in return. Did you know that dogs don’t actually like hugs? And that roughhousing can stress them out?

Dogs have boundaries too, and good pet parents work hard to understand and respect them.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.