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Safety and Your Dog
"Be careful." "Don't fall dear." "Look out for the..." These were the constant reminders during my childhood from my dear mother. Despite her best intentions, I managed to acquire my share of scraped knees and bumped foreheads.
As doggie parents, we are responsible for our four-legged children's safety. Speaking of children, could you imagine leaving a young toddler to play near traffic without supervision? If you love your dog, and want to enjoy its company to a ripe old age, I would encourage you to take the same precautions as you would for a baby and more—dogs are MUCH faster!!
All the good nutrition, training, and your loving care can be destroyed instantly by an accident if your dog isn't safety trained. This newsletter offers general suggestions, but should not be used instead of going for active training with a qualified trainer.
Topics:
Safety outside cars
| Safety in a car | Safety
in your home
Puppy proofing the house | Safety
outdoors | Safety in a new environment
Do you remember being taught as a young child to look both ways before crossing the street? Picture the scene: you are playing fetch with your dog. The ball gets knocked out into the street and your dog races after it unaware of anything else including the approaching car.…
Over one million dogs are hit by motor vehicles annually. This statistic should be a big incentive for you to car-proof your dog.
Car proofing teaches your dog:
1. to jump back whenever a vehicle comes directly toward it. 2. never to go off curb onto asphalt unless you given your "okay". 3. to always sit at every curb before crossing the road. |
These three techniques can be taught quite easily and are invaluable in saving your dog’s life. For instance, Part "A" can be taught in two 20-minute sessions.
Car proofing is a service that Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs provide. This consultation can be done in our office or by telephone.
If your dog is not car-proofed, you should ALWAYS use a leash when walking near traffic. The only exception is a dog that has been through advanced training.
If you were involved in a car accident, would your dog be safe? If your dog is free in the car, it could be thrown into a window, out of the car, or otherwise injured.
There are alternatives:
1. Traveling crates: many people crate their dogs in a vehicle. Remember this is only going to be helpful if the crates themselves are thoroughly secured to the body of the vehicle. 2. Seatbelts: there are now a variety of dog seatbelt products that can be used in conjunction with human seatbelts. 3. Dividers: in station wagons and vans, dividers can be secured in a vehicle to create a special place for your dog. In pick-up trucks, your dog(s) may ride in a sturdy, canopy-enclosed box. |
Traveling crates, dog seatbelts, and dividers can be purchased at most pet shops. Of course, these alternatives are only going to work if you use them consistently. If you have two or three dogs, ' buckling up ' before every drive can be time consuming. You will need to judge the value of the companionship and petting time you and your dog (s) share when they can sit beside you against the need for these vehicle safety measures.
Heat in Cars
If the temperature rises to 20°C outside, a dog left in a
car may be at risk. With direct sunlight, the temperature in your car
will rise dramatically. Even with all four windows open, a dog can suffer
heat stroke very quickly on a hot day. Heat stroke can be fatal. In hot
weather, parking in the shade or using sun reflector blankets to cover
the front window can help, but they are no guarantee of safety. Always
avoid leaving your dog in a hot car for its comfort, as well as its safety.
Car Windows
The "'Houdini Dog'" syndrome can strike if you leave your car
windows open too wide. The rule of thumb is that the window should not
be open wider than the dog's head. If a dog can get its head out the window,
then it CAN get the rest of its body out.
Car Doors
Just a reminder: car doors are heavy and can cause serious injury. So
when putting "Fido" in the car, hold the door until you are
absolutely sure that all dog parts and the entire leash are well inside
the car. Also, never slam the car door. Close it slowly holding the handle
in case of "doggie door dash".
Car Manners
When driving, the last thing you need is a hairy projectile ricocheting
around the car. Also, never let your dog fire out through the car door
as soon as it is opened. Teach him/her to sit and wait until given your
"okay" to exit safely. Car manners are easily taught with a
little time and consistency. This a service that Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs
provide.
Training collars (choke chain) should only be used for training. These collars need to be fitted properly so they fit snug over the dog's head. Dogs can get a training collar that is too long caught on a shrub in the yard or on furniture in the house. If the dog is unsupervised, it may panic, and this can be fatal.
Feed your dog after exercising, not before. When a dog has a full stomach then starts to exercise, the stomach can 'flip' or the stomach can bloat -- often a fatal condition.
Chocolate, though yummy for people, can be poisonous for dogs. Semi-sweet chocolate in very small quantities can be fatal; milk chocolate isn't quite as toxic but can still kill a dog.
Poison Proofing
Dogs are natural-born scavengers, and they will head for the worst things: a spot of antifreeze in a driveway(usually fatal), a discarded chicken bone, chocolate, etc. Because scavenging is such a natural instinct, poison proofing is a vital part of your dog’s training.
There are two ways to poison proof:
1. teach your dog to take food from your hand only and never to scavenge for food on the ground; or 2. if you have to be away or kennel your dog at times, you can teach your dog never to scavenge for food on the ground, but allow it to take food from other people. |
Poison proofing is a service that Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs provide with consistent results. This consultation can be done in our office or by telephone.
There are also many houseplants and some outdoor plants are poisonous. Most nurseries have lists of these. Before you bring a puppy home, you will want to make an inventory of plants around the house.
The following is a list of plants that can be toxic or fatal to dogs:
Aloe Vera |
Dumb Cane |
Nightshade |
Before bringing puppy home, it's important to check each room of your house for items that may be hazardous. All household cleaners, bleaches, oils, chemicals of any sort should be kept in a high, and preferably locked cupboard.
All electrical cords should be dabbed with jalapeno pepper juice, lemon juice, bitter apple, or some other substance that will taste terrible to the chewing puppy. If you have a Mexican dog or a dog that just won’t take "no" for an answer, try "DAVE’S INSANITY SAUCE", and your dog will be blowing smoke rings for hours!! (this sauce is available in the specialty food section of most grocery stores).
It is important to have lots of chew toys for puppy (as an alternative to your furniture and electrical cords). However, with the exception of Kongs and some of the hard rubber Nylabones, almost any chew toy will break down under determined chewing. Be sure to replace such toys before they become small enough to be swallowed.
Some dogs like to play with rocks. Avoid playing fetch or throwing rocks for your dog to catch. Also, avoid letting your dog chew on rocks... all of these activities can damage the dog's teeth.
Do not allow your dog to run up to strangers or dogs until you ask permission (some people are petrified of dogs). This is simply considerate when meeting new people and or dogs, also many dogs have not been socialized and may be aggressive toward your dog.
Check areas where you are walking. If you have any suspicion that there is broken glass in the area, take care to avoid it, or simply leave the area. A glass cut to the paw may take several months to heal due to constant use.
In hot weather, take care about how much exercise your dog gets. Dogs are more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke than humans. You need to consider how vigorously your dog normally exercises, how long, and what exercising habits your dog has in judging how much it should do in hot conditions. As mentioned earlier, heat stroke can be fatal for dogs. You may want to spray your dog down when going for a run, and take water for dog and human.
If you are hiking with your dog, remember to evaluate the area beforehand. If you're walking high trails, make sure the paths are easy enough for the dog to get down as well as up. Also, avoid throwing anything that might go over the edge of a cliff; your dog may not stop to look. If you are hiking in a desert with cacti, make sure to bring leather gloves and long-nosed pliers to remove cactus spines from paws.
Always keep your dog on leash and under control when in a new area or situation. For example, when traveling or camping, your dog can become disoriented and could run off and get lost.
Dog Theft
Again, treat your dog as you would a young baby! Would you leave your
baby unattended for 1/2 an hour while shopping? Although dog theft is
not a big problem in smaller centers, it can be in large cities. Let common
sense prevail and an acute awareness of where your dog is and for how
long. The same concept applies to leaving your dog in an unlocked vehicle.
Lost Dog Syndrome
Is your yard secure? You would be amazed to know how many dogs escape
from their yard never to be seen again. Test your containment system "under
fire" (be it fence, dog run, etc.). Have a friend or neighbor run
by with their dog, bait with food treats, ball, etc....
A dog chained or tied up in the back yard can cause discomfort or injury to the dog. Here are some alternatives:
1. Wood or Chain-Link Fencing: A determined dog can jump mind-boggling heights. When deciding on fence height, consider your dog's age and how much more will he/she will grow. Getting a 45 ° degree overhang on the top of the fence will make a big difference for a chronic jumper. Also, dogs are amazing excavators. Whether using chain link or treated lumber, always install the fence 12 inches below ground level. 2. Clothesline Kit: These are available at most pet shops and enable your dog to run the length of the clothesline without becoming entangled. If you are on a limited budget, this will cost a fraction of fencing while safely containing your dog. 3. Electric Fencing: This is a system using an underground, electrically charged line around the perimeter of your property in conjunction with a collar that the dog wears, which delivers an electrical shock. Some dog owners subscribe to electric fencing because it is effective for their particular dog. Other dog owners are not so fortunate. Some of the disadvantages include: |
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• Malfunction—this happens quite infrequently, but remember, you are dealing with an electronic device. With time, wear, or water, the possibility of malfunction will increase. If the collar is triggered and remains on, it will cause severe trauma and can be fatal to your dog. • Your dog sees a bird or squirrel outside the property line, charges, and has gained so much momentum by the time it reaches the perimeter that it crosses the line and is afraid to come back. Some dogs will become anxious and run away. • Many dogs won't eat for days after receiving one or two shocks because they are so traumatized. For this reason, many trainers (including myself) are averse to any type of shock training. |
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Perimeter training teaches your dog three things:
1. To stay within your property boundary at all times regardless of the temptation or distraction. 2. To stay away from certain areas of your yard (flower beds, etc.). 3. To stay out of certain rooms in your home. |
Perimeter training is a service that Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs provide. This consultation can be done in our office or by telephone.
If you have a safety tip, please email us. We would love to hear from you! Happy tails and trails!!
