A dog’s expected lifespan is already less than 20 percent of that of a human. Rover certainly does not need the effects of his owner’s bad habits to rob him of even more years from his existence on earth. So for the sake of your own health and that of your barking buddy, here are some bad habits that you should consider quitting immediately:
Smoking
Nicotine addiction, as any substance use disorder, is a chronic relapsing brain disease of the reward pathway rewiring. Addiction is characterized by dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal, and has genetic predisposition as well as gender differences. This is why it is important to be evaluated and treated by a specialist in order to achieve the best results. So not only is smoking a surefire way to destroy your health and shorten your life, but research has suggested that second-hand smoke can have the same damaging effects on your loved ones. If you have a dog, you likely count him or her on your list of breathing beings that matter the most to you. And if your pets live indoors, you should be aware that your smoking habit could lead to nasal and lung cancer in dogs.
Laziness
It is no secret that dogs mimic the behaviors of their owners. So if you spend your entire day sitting on the couch watching TV, your dog is likely to do the same. But dogs need exercise just as much as humans do. While they need to move to maintain their physical health, they also need exercise to feel happy about the life they live.. So tell your rear end to quit its addiction to the cushions on your couch. Start incorporating frequent walks into your daily routine, or maybe start doing yoga (with Fido!).
Not Picking Up After Yourself
Speaking of laziness, you should consider the health of your pets the next time you think about neglecting to throw away your candy wrappers and to take your dishes to the sink. Dogs are world-renowned lickers and chewers. And they typically do not care what the item is made of that they have in their mouth. If you decide to continue the habit of leaving your trash out where it does not belong, it is only a matter of time until your dog eats chocolate or chokes on a wrapper.
Losing Your Temper
You might be surprised just how much your emotions influence those of your dog. If you have a habit or yelling or screaming on the phone or to other family members in your house, your dog will feel the stress in your voice. As a result, your dog’s heart rate will increase and adversely affect his or her health.
References:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/27/dog-imitation-humans-canine-behavior-video_n_3653115.html
https://rightpathaddictioncenters.com/smoking-cessation-programs/