Car, home and everywhere! Dog safety never rests! If you have medium or small dogs, keep your eye on them all the time unless they are concealed in a fenced backyard or indoors. Members of dog fighting rings are always on the lookout for “BAIT” dogs to throw in their dog rings so their fighting dogs have something to practice chewing on.
This is a horrible thing and you certainly don’t want your dog to die that way! They’ll steal small dogs from cars, back yards, off porches, anywhere they can get to them, so please, WATCH OUT. The same was mentioned above in the off leash dog parks.
Caution When Getting A New Dog
Don't break the bank account!
A reminder... your new dog or puppy is going to cost you plenty of money for not only dog food and basic supplies but that trip to the vet, a crate for house training, adequate chew toys and the list goes on.
Don’t make the mistake of spending all your money at the breeder! If you are looking at a puppy and the cost is $700 and you have $1000 to spend, you may be far short when you get home. It’s likely to cost you $1200 by the time you pay for everything the new dog will need in the first year.
There are lots of extras to buy when you bring a dog home including the vet bill and spaying or neutering which must be done plus medicine if the vet finds any unforeseen problem and that does happen sometimes and of course grooming may be needed plus coats and a sweater for some climates and breeds.
My Take On Dog Parks
The Off Leash Dog Parks System
A dog park is a large parcel of grass laden land with plenty of trees where numerous dogs can run and frolic free and OFF LEASH.
They are not always fenced in areas, but most are. The dogs have complete freedom to roam, sniff, run, AND FIGHT. Dog safety? No.
Some dog parks charge a nominal fee for use. Dog safety was never considered but picking up after your dog was. A poor trade-off. The dog park concept is nice but the actual function is questionable.
In too many cases that I have observed, the dog park and dog safety don't seem to go together. Off leash dog parks are a disaster where dogs run loose while too often sick and too often aggressive dogs get into trouble. Dog fights are the norm. I’ve visited 9 dog parks across the USA at various times and it was either my luck, or each dog park was about the same.
People bring their dogs to the dog park without proper vaccinations. Dogs come with disease that they pass on to innocent, healthy dogs. Taking your innocent, healthy dog into the off leash dog parks is a real crap shoot. You don’t know what’s going to happen.
Too often, dogs with aggression problems are left to roam loose and attack any dog they want, unattended by their owners who sit on a rock somewhere out of sight smoking cigarettes and drinking beer, enjoying their own idea of a dog park. Dog safety is far from their minds.
The off leash dog parks DO have rules. The problem is too often the rules are not enforced strongly enough and there needs to be only one fool with his dog to spoil it for the rest! Even the "private" off leash dog parks can lack supervision and dog fights can break out, so dog safety is always a worry.
In thew name of dog safety, avoiding off leach dog parks is a suggestion. Do as you want, but be careful because dog fights do happen and anytime dogs congregate, there is the chance of disease spreading.
__________________________________________________
Dog safety is mostly common sense and observation. Think ahead at what COULD happen if... (Much the same as you would with a baby or toddler in the house.)
Return From Dog Safety To Home Page
Return From Dog Safety To Dog Care
