They say a dog is a man’s (and a woman’s) best friend, so it’s totally understandable that you want to keep them safe at all costs.

However, no matter how hard you try, and as you probably already know, dogs can get into just about anything if they put their mind to it. And, when they do, it can lead to either their life being in danger or some kind of illness or injury. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best ways to keep your dog safe and happy.

Use a leash

Even if your dog is impeccably trained, it’s important to keep them on a leash in busy areas around the public. There are a lot of new sounds and smells that could cause your dog to dart off into the unknown where they could become lost, get dognapped, or even run in front of a vehicle.

While it’s important that your dog has space to run around every day, it’s important to keep them on a leash until it’s safe to let them off (i.e in an empty field or a dog park). So, make sure you always have your leash on you so that you have full control over your safety, their safety, and the safety of others too. If your dog pulls too hard on their leash, consider using a harness instead.

It’s also worth looking up which breeds of dogs are now required to wear a muzzle in public. You may know your dog well, but anything can upset a dog at any given moment, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Make your home dog friendly

Your home is your dog’s safe haven, and it’s important that your dog is safe at all costs. That means making sure that food that could be poisonous to them is always locked away and that sharp or other dangerous objects cannot be accessed at any point.

You should also look into making your garden dog proof. As much as your dog loves you, most dogs are naturally curious and enjoy a good adventure around town. Surround the perimeter of your garden with wire fencing to keep your dog safe from escaping. If your dog is a keen escape artist, go for a higher wire fence just to be safe.

If there are rooms in your home that are more dangerous than others (like the kitchen or the bathroom) make sure these doors are shut and locked if possible. It’s not even worth thinking about the scenarios they could get themselves into.

Teach your dog basic commands

A lot like children, dogs need discipline to keep them from doing something that could be potentially dangerous. If you’re getting a new puppy, you should always try and start training as soon as possible. Again, like humans, it’s easier for them to learn commands at a younger age (and it’s also when they’re more likely to explore where they shouldn’t).

So, teach your dog some basic commands like come, sit, stay and lie down. Not only can it be fun to teach them tricks, but it can come in handy in situations where your dog is off its leash and you need it to come to you quickly for its own safety.

If you’ve got an older dog that you’ve rescued or want to teach some more commands, remember that the key is patience and consistency. Put some time aside each day to do basic obedience training and remember to reward them when they achieve what you’ve asked them to do.

Look after their teeth

If you’ve ever had a dog before, you’ll know all too well how they can get into everything, and this doesn’t always mean good things for their teeth. They can have problems with their teeth and gums, so it’s important to make sure you look after their teeth.

While you can take your dog to have their teeth cleaned by the vet, you should also make an effort to clean their teeth too. You can do this through brushing their teeth with a toothbrush and dog friendly toothpaste, and you can also help their teeth and gums by giving them dental treats.

Like you, your dog needs their teeth to chew their food properly, so make sure you’re keeping an eye on their dental health, especially if they are an older dog.

Use a pet GPS tracker

Dogs love exploring, and if you’ve got a dog that’s well known to enjoy a sneaky day out adventure, then it’s important to be able to find them as soon as possible. But why do dogs run away to begin with?

• Boredom! If they’ve been cooped up all day, especially without attention, then they’re going to be bored. Whatever reason for them being bored, whether it’s because you’re working or not, they will find ways to entertain themselves. Sometimes, the appeal of exploring nearby is just too appealing.
• Being in heat - it’s basic animal nature to find a suitable mate. So, if you have a male dog and they smell a nearby female dog in heat, they might try and escape. The same goes for female dogs, they’ll go off looking for a suitor.
• Instinctual hunting. Some dogs find a thrill in chasing smaller animals. In the wild, they’d have to hunt to find food and sometimes, even as domesticated animals, they may give into that temptation.

Find yourself a reputable pet GPS tracker so that if they do get out, you can find them as soon as possible. Not only could they be in danger of being hit by a car or attacked by another animal, but there are so many people that steal dogs for themselves or worse - dog fighting.

Know what not to allow them to eat

Dogs have sensitive stomachs believe it or not. Your dog might want to eat everything in sight, even if it’s bad for them. The problem is that they don’t know that it could be poisonous, so it’s your job to make sure that they don’t eat anything that could harm them, or worse.

Make sure you clue yourself up on which foods are safe for dogs to eat, and those you should keep well out of reach for them. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t give it to them. Stick to food that’s designed for your dog until you know you can give them human food safely. One of the biggest mistakes people make is letting their dogs eat chocolate, which can be fatal in dogs. It’s simply not worth it, so make sure you find out.

Don’t allow your dog to wander off alone

We’ve all heard stories from our grandparents about their trusty dogs that they never had to put on a leash and that they could leave to walk alone without any worries. While they might not have been lying, there are so many more dangers for dogs in this day and age. For one, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before!

And, while a self-caring dog might be praised from time to time, you never know who’s out there looking to dognap your dog, especially if it’s a well sought after or expensive breed. That’s why it’s important to keep them on a leash, microchip them, and have a GPS tracker on their collar.

Finally, your neighbours might not appreciate your dog wandering (and maybe even messing) in their garden, even if they know them well. Just make sure you’re with them when outside of your home at all times.