Aussie vet nurse reveals 5 things she'd never do with her dog
Tess Nolan shared her wisdom on how to best keep pets safe and healthy
A veterinary nurse has revealed the five things she would never do with her own pet after watching dog owners learn the hard way.
Tess Nolan is a veterinary nurse and content creator based on the Gold Coast and informs professionals and dog owners alike on how to best keep pets safe and healthy. She shared a list of things she would never do with her own three-year-old dog Daphne.
Despite including some obvious rules in her TikTok video posted on Tuesday, others that made the list left social media users looking for clarification.
Wearing a collar at home
It's a strong no when it comes to her dog wearing a collar at home unsupervised. Anything that is worn around a dog's neck, like a bandana or other accessory, should be removed according to Ms Nolan.
The warning to remove a dog's collar was initially met with confusion in the comments section, with people asking why she recommended this, to which she explained.
"It can be a choking hazard!" she said.
This rule was questioned further as one woman expressed her worry that a collar could aid identification if a dog was lost, but the veterinary nurse believes implanting a microchip is best for this purpose.
Walking off leash near roads
This rule could be argued as a given but Ms Nolan stresses that all dog owners should get into the habit of putting the leash on their dog when walking near roads, regardless of how well trained their pet is.
She explained that in the last week alone she has treated many animals who suffered injuries due to this rule not being adopted by owners.
"I've seen way too many accidents happen this week, even from the most obedient dogs," she said.
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Visiting dog parks
Despite prefacing this rule to be more on the lenient side, she admitted she very rarely takes her own pet to a dog park. While working in a veterinary clinic, she noticed a pattern that the majority of dog fights that result in injury take place in communal public areas where dogs are encouraged to interact with one another.
Many people on social media shared their own negative experiences taking their pet to a dog park.
"Dog parks are a big no from me. Completely ruined my babe's personality towards other dogs. Very reactive and scared now," one woman said.
"Yup, my puppy was killed by a German Shepherd at the dog park," another shared.
Leaving dogs in hot car
With the previous rule being more of a general preference, this one is strictly implemented by Ms Nolan and none stood to argue with the veterinary nurse online. The serious impacts of being left in a hot car are well known in Australia after a toddler recently died when left in a car for several hours and our pets are no exception to this rule. She explained she wouldn't leave her dog in a hot car "even for two minutes".
Never throw sticks
Despite the common 'owner throws stick, dog retrieves stick' trope associated with dog ownership, the veterinary nurse shared she would never do this for her own pet.
When asked to explain this rule online by owners who shared that their dogs love playing with sticks, Ms Nolan once again offered a response.
"They can cause punctures to your dogs soft palate, around the mouth and trachea (windpipe). Awful to see — they are called stick injuries," she explained.
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