Outdoor Activity Ideas for You and Your Pet
Safe Collars and Harnesses for Your Dog
Traveling with Your Pet and How to Properly Restrain Them in the Car
Outdoor Activity Ideas for You and Your Pet
March is a great time to get out with your dogs. There are so many great outdoor activities from which to choose, so make a list before heading out with your dog.
Head over to the park. “Taking your dog to various parks on his dog harness and 6′ dog leash is great exercise both physically and mentally,” according to the article, “4 Fun Things To Do with Your Dog Outside | Outdoor Activities With Your Dog” at Raising Your Pets Naturally. Bring high-value dog treats, the article said. You’ll be able to squeeze in dog training and keep your dog’s attention on you.
Go bike riding and take your dog. Use a dog bicycle trailer, which hooks directly onto your own bike. It’s also great for puppies, senior dogs, and for dogs who have medical conditions.
Dogs need stimulation, which helps them all around. “Walking, hiking and other outdoor activities will not only provide your pup with exciting new things to look at and to smell, but will also tucker them out, according to the article, “41 Fun Things To Do With Your Dog Outside,” at Outdoor Dog Fun. “And a tired pup is less likely to display bad behaviors, such as digging and excessive barking.”
Some ideas according to Outdoor Dog Fun include:
• Flyball, which is great for high-energy dogs. This team relay race has “dogs jump over hurdles to reach a box where they hit a spring-loaded pad to release a tennis ball,” the Outdoor Dog Fun article said. After catching the ball, it is returned to the owner.
• Try a picnic. Pack everything you need, go out and hike to a favorite spot.
• Find a yappy hour that is welcoming to pups.
So, get out there with your pup.
Safe Collars and Harnesses for Your Dog
All dog collars are not created equal. Do your research to ensure your dog has the correct and safe collar.
While you’d love to let your dog roam free, unless it’s in an enclosed area, it’s not a good idea and not a risk you want to take. “The keyword here being risk, because no matter how well-behaved your pup is, there’s always the chance that they won’t heel when hollered for, or come when called,” according to the article, “How To Pick The Best Dog Collars And Leashes For Your Dog,” at Canine Journal.
Your dog should always wear a collar, which should include up-to-date tags, including proof of rabies in case your dog is lost.
According to the article, make sure to get the correct size collar for your dog according to weight and size. Remember that “Dog collars should be snug enough to fit two fingers between the dog’s neck & their collar,” the article said.
Martingale collars are a good choice, and “are recommended by trainers for dogs who slip out of traditional buckle collars,” according to the article, “Harnesses, Leashes, & Collars” at PetSafe. If your dog starts pulling, the martingale tightens. “When your dog stops pulling, the collar loosens automatically, so the collar is only tight when it needs to be,” the PetSafe article said.
Along with a martingale collar, a no-pull dog harness is a good idea for dogs who pull. “Too much pulling can turn a pleasant and relaxing walk into a stressful slog – but you don’t have to put up with it!” according to the article, “8 Best No-Pull Dog Harnesses – Stop Your Dog from Pulling” at World Animal Foundation. “Designed to discourage pulling, no-pull dog harnesses have a font-clip leash attachment that pivots the dog towards you whenever they pull.”
Traveling with Your Pet and How to Properly Restrain Them in the Car
If you are traveling either for vacation or just to the vet, your pet should be properly restrained in your vehicle. It can be dangerous for an unrestrained pet who could fly around the car if there is an accident, or you stop short.
To be sure your pet is safe when riding in your car, place your pet in a well-ventilated carrier or crate, according to the ASPCA article, “Travel Safety Tips.” Your pet should have enough room to turn around, sit, stand, and lie down. “Secure your pet’s crate so it will not slide or shift in the event of an abrupt stop,” the article said. Use a seat belt to secure the crate.
It is very important that your dog does not roam freely while the car is in motion. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. “Dog restraints or seat belts are useful for preventing your dog from roaming around the car and being a distraction to the driver, but they haven’t been reliably shown to protect dogs during a crash,” according to the article, “Travel safely with your pet” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Cats also belong in carriers and should never be allowed to roam freely in the car, not to mention that most cats are not thrilled about traveling in the car anyway. “It’s important to restrain these carriers in the car so that they don’t bounce around and hurt your cat,” the HSUS article said. You can secure the carrier with a seat belt around the front of it.
Don’t allow your pet to stick his head out the window of a moving vehicle as it’s dangerous. Your pet “can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs,” the HSUS article said.
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