It is always better to err on the side of safety when it comes to sharing your space with a family fur member. Just like you would want your child to be safe, think of the furry family member as a four legged child and think about things that might be harmful if viewed by your dog child.
Often we don’t even think that the everyday items in our homes and even outdoors can be dangerous for our dogs. You can prevent accidents in your home with some very simple pet-proofing techniques that also apply to small children. Keep all household poisons, toxins and plants that are unsafe, out of reach of your dog’s mouth. Some of these household chemicals taste and smell irresistable to our furry friends.
Electrical cords, toys with detachable parts or pieces that may become loose are also unsafe and any toy that your dog works on should be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear, especially if there is shredded stuffing or thread, bits of plastic or anything that your dog could chew that may cause a choking hazard.
Watch for a good fit with your dog’s collar. Be sure that it is not too tight or too loose so that it could get hooked on something and cause him to be injured.
Keep all household trashcans covered or out of reach. The garbage cans pose too much of a temptation for some of our dogs, and there are tons of dangerous things here– from spoiled food to glass, empty containers with who knows what and there’s always the annoyance of having to clean up the mess if your dog gets into it. A habit to break before it starts.
Be certain that your dog wears an identification tag and perhaps even microchip identity number just in case he strays for whatever reason. Better safe than sorry.
Supervise your dog when playing or chewing on a chew treat. Never leave the dog alone since you just can’t be sure that he’ll always be safe.
Leave your car windows at a safe level for enough air but not enough so that your dog hangs out of the open window. You never want to have debris from the road or another car fly into your dog’s face and cause injury.
Play it safe and treat your dog with respect to ensure that you will have many happy memories with him.
For further insights see We Can See You in the Dark.
