How to Keep your dogs safe

Hopefully, following these guidelines and being careful at all times will help you keep your dog safe. Happy dogs who enjoy activity and company in their daily routine will be less likely to want to roam. A dog that is left alone too long, may get bored and mischievous. Remember your dog is a companion for life.

Your Property

When taking on a new dog or moving house ensure that all fences are in good repair and that they are sufficiently high. Make sure there are no structures for a dog to jump onto which would enable him/her to hop over a fence.

Gates need checking too. Are they high enough? Is the catch strong enough, or do you need an extra catch and secure lock accessible only from the inside? Gate panels may need reinforcing with more wood or wire.

Do not leave your dog unattended in your garden whilst you are out unless it is in a secure pen unable to get out or be stolen. Dog stealing is also more common than people realise: keep your dog out of sight to keep it safe.

Dog Identification

By law, your dog must always wear a collar with a disc giving your name, address and telephone number. It helps ensure your dog is returned to you more quickly if it gets lost. Failure to comply can result in a heavy fine if your dog is picked up as a stray. Collars and discs can come off or be removed, so you should consider some form of permanent identification. One method is the microchip and your local rescue centre or vet can advise about. A chip with your dog’s ID number is implanted in his neck. The procedure is very quick and painless – just like an injection – and not expensive. Police stations, dog wardens, vets, and many rescue organisations have scanners which can read the chip number thus enabling dog and owner to be identified and reunited. The other permanent form of identification is a tattoo. Again, take advice from your vet.

Walking your dog

Walking your dog should be a pleasure for both of you, and shouldn’t put either of you in danger. A dog should walk by your side without pulling on the lead, and return on command. To ensure you achieve this basic level of obedience it might be useful to take your dog to training classes. Classes are a good opportunity for socialising with other dogs. This is always useful, particularly for nervous dogs, and will help stop your dog lunging at other dogs when out walking. To give your dog the best chance of learning the basics, take him out regularly on his own at first, ie leave children and pushchair behind. Concentrate first on teaching your dog how to walk. There are many kind walking aids such as a harness or halti or gentle leader to help educate/prevent your dog from pulling. Beware leads which are too long and allow your dog to pull into the road. Check that catches are secure. Until you are sure your dog will come back in a contained place, don’t let him off the lead anywhere in the open. For your dog’s safety and that of motorists NEVER let your dog off the lead near roads.

Going away? Kennels or someone you know?

Dogs are most likely to stray when their owners are away, even if they know the people they are staying with, are well treated, and the owners’ instructions are followed to the letter. If you are going to leave your dog with someone else, make sure their garden is secure. Looking after someone else’s pet is a big responsibility. It is adviseable to request that the person caring for your dog does not allow them off-lead exercise. Your dog may be very well trained with you but may not be so responsive with someone less familiar. Although it is more expensive, you might consider putting your dog into boarding kennels for the duration of your holiday. You can go away knowing your dog is in professional hands. Kennels do vary, so check them out first to make sure you are quite happy.

Health and Safety

If your dog is inclined to roam, and for a variety of other reasons, you may wish to have him neutered. He will be more inclined to stay at home. Ask your vet for advice. Also take veterinary advice and have your dog vaccinated. Remember that an annual booster will be needed. Pet insurance is well worth considering. Veterinary treatment can be costly and so can damage that is deemed to have been caused by your dog. Insurance will cushion the effects of expensive veterinary treatment or third party claims. There are lots of different insurance schemes. Shop around or, again, your vet may be able to advise. Never leave your dog unattended in a public place: the risk of stealing is much too great. For the same reason, avoid, where possible, leaving your dog alone in a car.

Each year dogs become distressed or even die when left in a car in hot weather. The advice to prevent this happening to your dog is do not leave your dog unattended at any time during hot weather. It only takes a matter of minutes for a dog to become very distressed and sometimes just as short a time to kill him or her.

SAFETY CHECKLIST

Your property (fences and gates)
Identification (collar and disc, microchip, photograph)
Vaccination
Basic training
Neutering
Boarding kennels
Insurance