How to Zing Into Spring And Avoid Dog Dangers

It's spring and our dog could hardly wait to get out there for our first Toss 'n Chase of the season. She has a funny habit of dropping toys in the snow outdoors all winter and making us get them soooooo..... now no snow - so let's go!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• Picker Upper
• Watchful eye and vigilant noise

1. 
   Busy Teeth - Happy Tummy

   With Spring's unpredictable ways here in the Midwest - you can see nice green grass sprouting one day and two inches of snow the next, then nice greener grass the next day! Watch for mushy spots and decaying things in the lawn. Keep an eye on your dog to prevent any eating of unhealthy stuff out there. This is easily taught when your dog is a pup. Walk around the yard with the pup and point out whatever is bad for them - saying no firmly and consistently. Let your dog take an approved toy to keep their mouth occupied while you do garbage patrol with a picker upper and a garbage bag - preferably a used grocery bag to recycle garbage for garbage!

2. 
   Oh no - You didn't say Time To Brush - Did You?

   Groom your dog when they shed as soon as you can. It's better for their coat and skin. It's also much better for your house to reduce sweeping and vacuuming! I comb out our Buffalo Butt Girl outside so all the birds and creatures that need nesting materials have plenty to choose from. The pile of hair, that first resembles a huge dead thing, will be blown around, picked through, and then whatever remains will break down and nourish the grass.

3. 
   Spring Zingggggggggg!

   Please don't throw sticks for your dog. Buy or make good solid toys that can't rot or be torn up. Rotting bark, splinters and toy stuffing or broken off pieces can cause serious problems in your dog's digestive system! One year I found a black rubber bumper from some vehicle and the dog I had at the time showed great excitement over it. I took it inside and washed it quickly, then took it and my dog back outside. That silly rubber bumper remained the favorite toy for the entire of that dog's life and he showed its value to the next puppy! I still have it and it still gets a play every once in a while!

4. This is a very important tip! Sniff the air before you let your dog out during early spring. Neighbors may be using herbicides and/or pesticides. The wind might just be sending a great deal of it your way. The second I smell anything chemical, I either take my dog in for a couple hours or move her up wind, if possible. Let's face it - if the smell turns my stomach, it can't be great for a dog!

Tips & Warnings

• Never let your dog nibble unknown materials from the ground outside! Do frequent garbage patrols, especially after windy days.
• Feeding your dog inside helps you keep track of how much your dog is eating and exactly whatever else might be eating the food!
• Don't leave food sitting in a bowl all day - insects often lay eggs in it, especially if it is moist.
• Do not leave bowls or buckets of water outside without changing it daily to keep mosquitoes and other insects from laying eggs in it.
• Be sure to warn your neighbors not to spray herbicides on your side of the fence if you have a pet that goes outside. (Or a veggie garden!) My neighbor thought he was doing us a favor.

Resources

• eHow Spring Guide
• Duelin' Deals Blog by Marlaine

[amysmarts]

on 10/27/2009 Great article on How to Zing Into Spring And Avoid Dog Dangers. This is all great advice. My oldest dog gets cabin fever during the winter, so when it warms up, he is all excited. That is until, the snow comes again a few days later. This is all great advice and you do have to be so careful with neighbors using pesticides. I have heard too many stories of dogs getting sick from this. Thanks. 5*

[KatrinaElla]

on 9/30/2009 Great tips and good pics! How do you get such great pics of your animals? I saw the clipping cat nails too.

[tachic]

on 7/26/2009 Good tips to bypass dog dangers.

[jrosengarten]

on 5/16/2009 Great article. There are doggie dangers lurking everywhere and you did a great job of pointing them out!

[pinchy]

on 5/15/2009 great tips for avoiding doggie dangers!