Just like kids, dogs need rules and parameters for safety. These rules make your dog feel more secure and help to strengthen your relationship with your pet. I think somehow they know we are watching out for them, and in turn, they keep us safe. There have been so many stories in the news lately about dogs alerting their owners to danger before it occurs. See story at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/snickers-dog-saves-owners-life_n_3267465.html
You are your dog’s parent, leader or their guardian, and it’s your responsibility to keep them safe and teach them the ropes. When the front door is opened, your dog needs to know that he/she is not allowed to dart out the door. Teaching your dog to sit and stay at an open door or gate can be life saving. Though I’m not a dog trainer, I do tell my dogs to “stay” each time I go out the front door. To reinforce the command, I also use a hand signal to let them know I mean business.
Do your dogs watch you while you cook? My two dogs follow me eagerly to the kitchen every evening. I don’t know if they are just begging or they are my furry chefs-in-training. It can be dangerous having your pets underfoot in the kitchen while you are cooking, opening the oven door or carrying hot dishes across the kitchen. Guide your dog out of the room while you are cooking. Perhaps they can watch from the doorway or keep them out of the room completely.
Household rules, everybody has them. Teach your dog to stay out of the trash. Get a trash can with a tight-fitting lid and empty the trash often. If you have to, you can move the trash can somewhere behind closed doors when your dog is home alone. Remember to keep the pantry door shut tight. You don’t want your dogs nudging the door open when you’re out and feasting on all kinds of people food that could be dangerous to them. If you have a counter surfer like I do, clear the countertops before you leave the house. Teach the kids to keep their night stands in their rooms free of any potentially dangerous items too.
Dangers lurk everywhere for dogs, indoors and outdoors. One thing I’ve learned about dogs is that they learn well with repetition. When I take my two dogs for a walk, we leash up in the garage. If the garage door is open and I’m not ready to leave yet, I tell them, “Wait, leash.” They have learned that this means they are not to move forward toward the open door until I have a firm grip on both of their leashes.
While we are walking and when it is time to cross the street, I insist that both of them stop at the curb while I check for traffic, and then I tell them, “OK, cross.” Maybe it’s just for my peace of mind and they don’t really understand what I’m saying. But then again, it slows them down, and prepares them to cross the street.
Being a pet parent is a full time job. But if you develop good habits early on, you will most definitely enjoy every moment you can with your pets while keeping them safe from harm.
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