Dogs in the home along with safety

Special arrangements which may have to be made to accommodate a dog in your home will depend to a large extent on the type of dog you have, its size, activity level and, surprisingly enough, whether or not it has a tail. The enthusiastic tail of a large dog can do untold damage to precious ornaments neatly displayed on a low table, so do bear this in mind and keep precious items out of harm's way.

Whatever the size of your dog, anything which might do harm should be kept out of reach, remembering that puppies can be specially inquisitive and have no idea what constitutes danger and what might just prove to be fun. Electric cables must be kept safely concealed for these can cause death, as can poisons left carelessly around the home within easy reach. Remember that inquisitive dogs in the bathroom can find all manner of things, not all of which are safe. Remember that poisons are a danger, some plants are harmful to animals and domestic cleaners frequently contain toxins. These are often packaged in plastic containers which are punctured all too easily by sharp teeth. Take care, too, that heavy objects cannot be pulled or knocked down, or sharp objects stolen and chewed up before they are noticed. Broken glass and other sharp objects can not only cause tragedy if swallowed, or at least an expensive veterinary bill, they can also injure feet and pads.

Dogs and garden
Your garden must be entirely secure. Some dogs are climbers, others turn out to be diggers, and dogs with long muzzles seem to have a crafty way of enlarging a tiny gap in wooden fencing. Numerous items used in and around the garden can also be highly dangerous so garden sheds should be inaccessible. Many slug pellets, weed killers, fertilizers and the like contain substances that can cause illness and even death. When in the garden take especial notice if your dog is carefully washing the pads of its feet for it may have trodden in or dug up something toxic. Swimming pools and deep ponds in the garden must also be given careful consideration for safety's sake. In swimming pools, although most dogs can swim, they may find no easy means of escape.

Dogs and equipment
Food bowls must always be kept clean and fresh water available at all times. Sleeping quarters should be slightly raised from the ground to avoid draughts. Although wickerwork beds look pretty they are not at all suitable as most dogs are tempted to chew them, creating dangerous edges. A bed which can be cleaned easily is much more appropriate and can be lined with washable veterinary bedding for comfort and hygiene. A collapsible dog crate can also be very useful both for traveling and use around the home. A dog must never associate this with a place of punishment, rather as a refuge for a few quiet moments.

The home in which you live, your lifestyle and surrounding environment will all play important parts in your selection of a breed. Even your own age and strength, and that of close family members, will have to be considered. Many people love large dogs but are simply not able to cope with them. A large dog needs plenty of space both inside the house and outdoors and owners will need sufficient strength to control the dog and to walk it on a lead, as large dogs need road work to build up muscle, not just free run.

Dogs and security
Dogs, both large and small, are capable of jumping great heights and running at great speed, so this is another consideration when deciding whether a dog is suitable for your own garden, or whether your garden can perhaps be adjusted to suit the dog.  Always remembering that most dogs can move swiftly, safety is of prime importance. Gates must be secure and exterior doors to one's house should be considered carefully so that your dog can only get outside to a safe and secure area. Tins means that if doors need to be kept closed all members of the household must be relied upon in this regard. Sadly one hears of far too many dogs coming to a tragic end. Some dogs are small enough to make their way through cat-flaps, so that also needs consideration to prevent accidents and mistakes. A notice on the gate to prevent people from walking up the garden path and leaving the gate open can also be a wise precaution. Inside the house, doors are also a subject for debate and consideration. Stable doors are always useful, especially leading to a kitchen area, where it is often neither safe nor convenient to allow dogs to be around.