Safe Play: Top Tips For Dog Owners

We all know that dogs love to play. While encouraging exercise is crucial for optimum health, there are risks to be wary of. If you’ve recently become a dog owner for the first time, or you’re eager to ensure your pet pooch plays safe, here are some top tips to take on board.

 

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Securing your outdoor space

Many of us enjoy watching our precious pets tanking around the garden, letting off steam with their tails wagging enthusiastically. Spending time in the open air, and letting your dog run around is great for their physical health, but it is important to ensure the environment is safe before your dog starts running free. Secure the space, look for products like specially designed fencing for a dog, and make sure any gates are closed before you let your pups run wild. Your garden may be a safe haven, but you never really know what kinds of hazards may be lurking over hedges or through holes in the fence at the bottom of the yard. Check your outdoor area on a regular basis, and if you have people visiting, always make sure you ask them to close gates and doors behind them.

Removing hazards

It’s always useful to carry out a risk assessment as a dog owner. Dogs are very smart, and their senses are brilliant at picking up danger, but they don’t always detect every hazard. Have a walk around your garden before you let your dogs out, and if you’re taking them to a forest or a park, keep your eyes peeled for objects that might cause harm.

Buying safe, suitable toys

Dogs love to play with toys, but they also tend to think that everything in their pathway is a play-thing. Your slippers, shoelaces, and children’s toys can all become part of your pooch’s play box if you’re not careful. To avoid losing your possessions and to keep your pet as healthy as possible, invest in suitable dog toys that meet safety standards. Look for products that are appropriate for your dog in terms of their size and weight and their activity levels. Buying toys is a fantastic way to encourage regular exercise, to keep your dog entertained, and to prevent boredom.

Hydration

If you have a dog that will run and run, even when the sun is beating down, it’s vital to ensure they have access to fresh, cold water. Try and avoid exercising during intense heat, and wait for temperatures to drop if it’s a hot day. Choose shady patches to play with balls or attempt training drills, and take a bowl with you if you’re going out with your dog. Hydration is key for good health. Signs of dehydration include loss of appetite, fatigue, a dry nose, dry gums and vomiting.

As a dog owner, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching your precious pup enjoying playtime. Although it’s hugely beneficial for dogs to exercise frequently, it is essential to ensure they have access to a secure environment, safe toys, and plenty of water.

Eight Super Ways To Pamper Your Working Pooch

Caring for a dog isn’t a small job. You have to put in a lot of time and effort with them to ensure that they are well-exercised, happy, fed and healthy. This isn’t just something that can be done in a day. 

It takes time to win the trust of your dog and it takes time to know them; they may be dogs, but they have personality! If your dog is a working dog, as in it helps you to stay safe on long outdoor hikes, you know that you are working them hard. This doesn’t mean that you can’t spoil them, though. We are only blessed with our perfect pooches for a few short years, so you want to ensure that they are happy and healthy as much as possible in the time that you get to.

Doggy desires are usually quite simple. All they want is to be taken for very long walks and get exercised, chow down on deliciously natural dog food and enjoy the occasional scratched belly. Dogs want our time and our attention and when they get that from us, they stay loyal. 

They care for us. They watch out for us and protect us against any threats in a fierce way. Sometimes, you just need to give your pup a little appreciation, and that takes spoiling them and feeling good about it! So, here are some of the ways that you can pamper your pet to make them feel loved.

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Food.

Dogs are vacuums when it comes to food; anything, everything – even the things that they’re not allowed to eat, they eat. Cooking for your dog may seem like an extreme, but there some exciting dog treats that you can make from home without buying from the store. These recipes can teach you how to make your own puppy treats, and if you are feeding your dog a balanced diet, they’ll be healthy on the inside and out.

Exercise.

Going for a walk is sometimes the most exciting part of the day for a dog. They get to get their nose into the neighborhood and smell everything. They can get out a lot of their energy and if you alternate your walking routes, you can ensure that your dog gets the workout that they need with excitement added on. Dogs should be walked morning and evening, but if you can slip in an extra walk in the day your dog will love you for it.

Visitors.

Dogs get familiar with new people really easily, and it’s a good idea to have your dog get to know new people because when you need to leave the dog for work or for other purposes, they will have yet another person to spoil them with belly rubs, walks and treats! It’s never a bad idea to get your dog trusting new people, so socialize them as much as possible with new people and they’ll learn to trust others.

Learning.

Dogs and tricks. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks and perhaps not, but a dog of any age will do what they can to learn new ones! Some breeds need to be entertained and kept busy. You can sign your dog up to classes to keep them worked out, entertained and having fun and this is the perfect way to spoil your dog. There are dog training books out there that you can choose as well as videos to watch. Once you know just how your dog likes to play, you can stick to a new routine.

Play.

While your dog is learning new tricks, you also need to ensure that they have enough toys to play with. Tug toys are a huge favourite with dogs of all ages and you can teach your dog to hunt by using treats and things to find. Dogs are naturally curious creatures and hunting is in their blood. Some breeds need a little more of a push than others to learn to hunt, but no matter which dog there will always be a wagging tail at the end of the game.

Swim.

As part of their normal exercise routine, your dog will likely love to splash around in muddy puddles and jump in the lakes and oceans when you’re out and about. Swimming is excellent for your dogs joints, so taking him to play fetch in the water is a great way for him to cool down, get exercised and stay kind to his joints all at the same time. Always clean her ears after a swim to keep her healthy and bring her a fluffy towel to help her dry her coat afterwards.

Physical Touch.

You cannot hug your dog too much. Scratching the ears, rubbing his belly and playing with your dog with cuddles and love is going to have them fall in love with you all over again. It’s a great way to indulge your pup with some love and it brings you closer together! Belly rubs are the ultimate pooch pamper time, and you get the chance to be physical with the puppy who needs you as much as you need him.

Love.

Spoiling your dog isn’t all one sided. You’re adding exciting food options and exercise to your day for your dog to enjoy. Your dog waiting for you at home and bringing you their favourite toy? That’s their way of telling you that they love you. They want to show you that you bring them as much joy and affection as you do him; that’s why they curl up against you on the sofa or on your feet while you’re in bed. Your dog will protect you an be loyal to you fiercely, so don’t stop pampering your dog. The love that you’ll get in return is enough to last you a lifetime.

Your dog will always appreciate your effort with them, no matter what you may think when they pee on the floor. Love on your dog and they’ll love you forever.