Taking your dog out for walks or trips to the park and other fun locations can be a delightful experience for both of you. However, ensuring your pup’s safety is crucial to avoid potential dangers, such as fights with other dogs or car accidents. Our Memorial Animal Hospital team provides helpful suggestions to keep your four-legged friend safe, happy, and wagging during outings. 

Keep your dog on a leash

Your dog may be the picture-perfect, well-behaved pup, but by leashing them, you help prevent many injuries and accidents. Use a sturdy leash, preferably four to six feet long. Avoid using retractable leashes because they can be dangerous as they allow too much freedom, making your dog difficult to control. In addition, retractable leases sometimes break and lead to serious injury.  A harness is often safer than a collar, especially for small breeds or for dogs who pull, because this leash type distributes pressure across the body rather than around the neck.

Stay alert to your dog and surroundings

Always maintain supervision by keeping an eye on your surroundings. Look out for other dogs, cars, cyclists, and hazards such as broken glass or uneven pavement. If you come across a potentially risky scenario, take your dog on another path or leave the situation. Additionally, monitor your dog’s body language and other dogs’ behavior. Aggression or anxiety signs should prompt you to steer clear of a potential fight. 

Ensure your dog is trained and socialized

Many accidents are a result of insufficient dog training and socialization. When your dog responds appropriately to certain commands, you can better control them in potentially dangerous situations, avoiding a possible veterinary emergency. Teach your furry friend essential commands such as:

  • Stay
  • Sit
  • Come
  • Leave it
  • Down
  • Look at me

Proper socialization from a young age helps your dog learn to interact positively with other dogs and people, reducing the likelihood of fights. If your pup isn’t comfortable around new people and animals, we recommend group training classes and gradual, supervised exposure to these interactions. 

Choose safe dog walking routes

Walk your dog during quiet times of the day to avoid crowded areas and high traffic. Opt for safe walking routes with sidewalks or designated paths away from busy roads. If you’re walking at night, outfit your dog’s collar or harness with reflective lights so they’re visible to motorists and cyclists. 

Be cautious about dog parks

While dog parks can be fun, they can also be high-risk for fights, injuries, and infectious diseases. Assess the situation before entering and avoid peak times when the dog park is crowded. Ensure your pet is up-to-date on all necessary vaccines and parasite prevention. Before allowing your dog to approach other canines, speak to the owner and ask them if their dog is friendly. Unfortunately, some owners take aggressive or unsocialized dogs to these parks, putting other pets and people at risk.

Know how to break up a dog fight

If a fight occurs, avoid getting between the dogs, but use distractions, such as a loud noise, water spray, or a barrier, to separate them. If the fight escalates, call others to come and assist. After a fight, assess your dog for injuries, such as puncture wounds, and contact our Memorial Animal Hospital team if they were injured or bitten. 

Protect your dog from heat

Avoid walking your four-legged friend during the hottest part of the day. Hot pavement can burn their sensitive paw pads. Exposing your dog to high temperatures for long periods can lead to dehydration and heatstroke. Always bring water and a bowl for your furry friend during walks and outings, and outfit them in dog booties to protect their paw pads from scalding surfaces.

Your dog naturally loves walks and outings, but these activities require vigilance, proper equipment, training, and awareness. By following our tips, you can minimize risks and make your outdoor adventures enjoyable and safe for you and your furry friend. Contact our Memorial Animal Hospital team for additional tips on safe dog outings.