Dangers for Dogs and Why

Over the years and years I have lived with and worked with dogs, I have seen so many bad things happen that most of us would never expect to cause a problem. I am going to try to list some of my top dangers here.  All of these dangers are because I have either personally experienced it myself or have had a client experience it.

1.  Letting a dog hang their head out a car window while traveling. Yes, things do get in their eyes. One person I know had a bee fly into the eye of their dog and the dog lost their eye. I had a dog step on the electric window switch and close the window on her neck.
2. Letting dogs run off leash that do not have a 100% “come” command.  Once a dog starts chasing a scent or a movement in the woods, you may never see them again.
3. Letting dogs run loose in the vet office.  A waiting dog can be very sick or a dog may be going home after surgery.  Dogs that don’t feel well are not going to play or socialize and may very well fight with a dog that is “just trying to say hello.”
4. Letting dogs run up to every dog they see. Not all dogs are social.  It is not fair to any dog to let them run up to a non-social dog that may bite.  It doesn’t matter if YOUR dog is social. If the other dog feels invaded, your dog may suffer the consequences. Be polite and ask first.
5. Letting your dog run up to someone on the trail.  Many people are afraid of dogs and this can terrify them.  Be kind. Call your dog to your side when you see someone, and have him sit politely while the other person passes by.
6. Letting a known biter (no matter what the reason) go into social places like parks, art festivals, downtown, etc.  An unsuspecting and unstoppable child may run up to the dog and your dog may bite seriously; leaving YOU liable for damages and a child scared both emotionally and physically for life.
7. Leaving a dog outside a coffee shop or store while you are inside.  The dog may wander off into traffic, or someone may try to harass your dog or even steal it. I had a dog in the back of my covered pick up with wire screens over the windows and in 6 minutes at the grocery store, some kids came over and teased my Search and Rescue dog mercilessly. When I came out of the store, those kids were laughing hysterically across the street. 
8. Letting your dog chase, chew on sticks.  I caught one of my dogs chewing on a stick, but not before it slivered right into her throat.  She had to have two surgeries to remove the pieces.  There are so many nice toy sticks that float and are easy to toss for your dog.
9. Traveling with a dog in the back of an open pick-up truck.  I can’t even tell you how many dogs I know that have been killed horribly by falling out.  If the dog falls or jumps out, it can cause an accident when other cars try to miss hitting him.  
10. Too much water play can be dangerous.  A dog that drinks too much water too fast can actually become toxic.  Talk to your vet about the signs to watch for and treat it as an emergency.

Caption:  Keep your dogs safe!