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If you’re a doting dog owner, you likely go to great lengths to keep your pooch out of harm’s way. It’s easy to protect your pup when they’re under your watchful eye, but when they’re roaming in the yard, your beloved dog becomes more susceptible to outside risks. Here are some tips on how to keep your pup safe while they play in the yard.
Put Up a Dog Fence
Setting a perimeter around your house bodes well for your dog’s safety. Not only does it prevent them from running off, but it keeps other animals at bay as well. For added peace of mind, consider building a tall barrier. Your pet will be so intimidated by the size of the dog fencing that they won’t even think about hopping it.
Eliminate Toxic Plants/Fruits
If your dog frequents the outdoors, it’s wise to remove fruit-bearing shrubs and nursery crops. The following foods and plants can harm animals and, under serious circumstances, prove fatal. If nearby trees or bushes grow apples, daisies, peonies, mums, tulips, or carnations, it’s in your best interest to cut them down.
Maintain Your Yard
Landscaping, while exhausting, plays an essential role in safeguarding your animal. If you neglect to keep your greenery manicured, you’re liable to attract wild animals and pesky bugs. These creatures do nothing but wreak havoc on both your grass and surrounding prey. Your dog could very well be one such victim. With that said, taking excellent care of your yard is a prudent approach.
Mind the Weather
With summer in full swing, the unrelenting heat is beginning to take hold. Much like you, your pooch will overheat if overexposed to the sun’s harsh rays. One surefire way to combat the heat is with shade. Create some shady areas that your dog can retreat to for some much-needed respite.
Stash Garden Materials Away
If ingested, fertilizers, pesticides, and compost can seriously injure your pup. With that in mind, you should keep these materials well out of their reach. Dogs are inherently nosy, and if you keep these items strewn all over the place, your pooch may mistake them for a tasty treat.
Dogs are faithful companions, and they deserve to be protected at all costs. Even something as harmless as playing in the yard can lead to disaster if you fail to take the necessary precautions. For both you and your pup’s sake, heed the above advice to ensure a safe outdoor environment.