You probably enjoy taking your dog on a nice stroll through the park or the occasional drive to a pet store. Maybe you enjoy hunting or hiking and you like to have your dog come along with you. All of those events are great bonding experiences with your dog. However, there are some basic dog safety tips that you should follow.
Always Use a Leash
Regardless of where you are going, whether it is to the park, the pet store, a walk down the street or just to a friend's house, you should always make sure that your dog is on a leash. A leash is the best way to ensure the overall safety of your dog. Because even the most obedient dog can come into his own and decide to make a run for it, you can always be sure that your dog is safely by your side with a leash.
When a dog is unleashed, there is nothing to stop them from running into the road or running next door to fight with the neighbor's dogs. Dogs do not realize what cars can do. And many dogs enjoy the thrill of chasing after them. Because they do not realize that a car can seriously hurt them or kill them, there is nothing stopping them from running into the road; except for a leash. Likewise, you don't want your dog to come home limping or missing an eye after fighting with some neighborhood dogs. If you are out camping in the woods, you don’t want to have to worry about a hunter mistaking your dog for a deer. A leash can prevent all of that.
Reflective Collars
Especially when taking your dog for a stroll at night, you want to make sure that the clothing or collar that he is wearing is reflective. The reflective material on the collar will reflect when an oncoming car's lights shine on the reflective material. Even though a car may have its lights on, you and your dog may not always be noticeable objects to an oncoming car. But a reflective collar can ensure that any oncoming traffic will see you.
If you don't have a reflective collar, make sure to dress your dog in brightly colored clothes. You can take an old bright yellow or orange T-shirt and cut it to fit your dog. It may not be reflective, but the bright color will certainly stand out to any oncoming vehicle.
The best way to ensure your dog's safety is to take adequate precautions for every event. A leash can help you to know where your dog is at all times. If your dog is with you, you know he is safe. In addition, reflective collars and clothing can help keep your dog visible to traffic at night time.