Our dogs are members of our families. They live with us, sleep with us, share some of the most memorable experiences in our lives and more than that, they are there for us whenever we need them. It is only right that we return the favor and make sure that we keep them safe and healthy to live long happy lives as our most treasured companions.
To this end, we have decided to put together a list of six things that you can do to keep your dogs safe and happy.
IMAGE: PEXELS
1. Train Your Dog
A dog who has been trained and who understand their place in the family and the world are more content and better behaved. Dogs are pack animals who are used to the rules and hierarchies of social groups. Proper training leverages this natural inclination and allows you to be in control of your dog in most situations.
2. Socialize Your Dog
If your dog is likely to be around other dogs regularly, it is essential that you socialize your dog when it is still a puppy. Socialization helps to develop your dog’s social skills with other dogs and means your dog is more likely to remain calm around other dogs. If your dog or another dog becomes aggressive or agitated during socialization, then separate the dogs for a while to give them time to settle down again.
3. Watch What They Eat
Dogs are so much a part of the family that it is sometimes easy to forget that they can’t eat all of the same things that we can. Many common foods and household products can be harmful and even fatal to your trusted companion. Make sure you know what your dog can and cannot eat and carefully ensure that they do not have access to these substances. It is also essential that you know what to do should they somehow eat something they shouldn’t have.
4. Get Regular Veterinary Check-Ups And All Vaccines
Make sure that your dog gets regular check-ups at the vet and maintains all of their vaccinations. Unlike the human members of your family, your dog cannot tell you when they are feeling under the weather, so it is a good idea to make sure that they are kept as healthy as possible.
5. Make Sure Your Home Is A Safe Space
Your dogs should feel happy, safe, and free in your home as it is their home too. Try to give them access to both indoor and outdoor spaces where possible. If you have a secure garden, consider fitting an automatic dog door so that they can move between the indoors and outdoors independently. Make sure that there is nothing in the house and garden that could cause an accident and hurt your dog.
6. Watch The Weather
As with kids, you need to be aware of the impact that climate can have on your beloved pet. Both hot and cold weather can be dangerous for your dog if you don’t take precautions. Don’t let your dog stay out in the sun on a hot day and get sunburnt or heat stroke and never leave a dog in a car when it is hot, even with a window open. Also, make sure they have access to a shady area and lots of water if it is hot outside.
Similarly, you need to be careful when it is cold outside too. There are many hidden dangers in what your dog sees as a winter wonderland like frostbite, antifreeze, and ice. Many dogs love to play in the snow, but we need to make sure they are safe doing it.
As you can see, there are some easy things that we can do to protect the canine members of our household. If we follow these simple tips, we can look forward to many years of companionship with our most faithful four-legged friends.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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