Top tips for keeping safe on dog walks

Here are some of our top tips for keeping your dog safe whenever you go out for walks. Whilst it's true that we can’t see into the future, there are some common-sense tips and other pointers we’d like to share with you. Some hazards only present themselves when you are on holiday with your dog yet others in this blog are universal.

We love dogs at Canine Cottages, just like our partners  Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and keeping them safe and sound is close to our hearts. Read on to discover how to make sure your four-legged friend stays out of harm’s way. If you are holidaying with your dog during the springtime, take a peek at our blog for further reading.

Skip to:

• Dog walking in a new place
• Microchipping and tagging your dog
• Looking after your dog in extreme weather
• Travel tips for dogs
• Dogs on leads
• Meeting other dogs
• Protecting your dog from natural hazards
• Keeping your dog safe in a holiday home

Dog walking in a new place

Holidays are full of excitement for you and your dog. Keep your pet safe by doing a spot of online research before each of your walks to anticipate hazards or restricted areas. You can also see if there are places where you could encounter fast traffic or cattle. There is also the risk of losing your pet if are unfamiliar with the place you are walking in – is the area enclosed, is there a busy road nearby, or wild animal snares or burrows your pet could get themselves trapped inside?

Having your dog stolen is heartbreaking. The risk of theft is ever present, and unfortunately it could happen anywhere so never leave your dog unattended even if you are popping into a shop for a few minutes.

It is an extra disadvantage if you have lost sight of your pet in an unfamiliar place. We would advise giving them an orange or pink high-vis jacket if the weather is cool enough so that you can see them easily if you have let them off the lead to have an explore. Weather has an impact on your surroundings too, like frozen lakes in the winter, as you can never tell how thin the ice is, or fast river currents that can appear calm on the surface. Find out about some the UK's best dog walks in our fun blog.

Microchipping and tagging your dog

Microchip and tag your dog so that it can be identified should somebody else find them if it gets lost. There are several online sites where you can register your dog for a small fee. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home use Petlog for instance, and offer more information on microchipping on their website.

Also, it is worth attaching a metal tag to their collar. Get your dog’s name, a telephone number, and your house number/name and postcode too, so you can be easily contacted. Here is an interesting guide about more handy dog accessories to consider buying for a walking holiday.

Looking after your dog in extreme weather

Protecting your dogs in hot weather

Some dogs like nothing better than lazing in the sun, however, extended periods in the sunshine can hurt them. If you are out for a long walk and the weather gets hot, make sure you can spend lots of time in the shade, and get them a regular drink of water.

Seriously consider leaving your dog inside when temperatures exceed 20 degrees C; hot pavements can burn their paws and they can dehydrate quickly because their body temperature is higher than a human's and they can’t simply remove their coats. When you are away from home, draw the curtains so they can have a cool room, and leave them plenty to drink. Here are some more tips on how to keep your dog cool in the summertime.  Read our blog about keeping your dog happy and healthy during the summer.

Protecting your dogs in cold weather

Dogs are hardier than humans because most of them have warm coats to shield them from the cold and the worst of the weather. We think it’s worth buying them an insulated jacket to keep them extra toasty if they have thin coats.

All creatures have their limits, but temperatures below -20 degrees C are deemed too cold. This is when hypothermia and frostbite may begin to have an effect – however, keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour to ascertain if it is too cold for them. If you and your dog are caught in rain or snow on your winter walk then towel them down (checking between their toes for salt and grit) and get them warmed up as soon as you are back inside your car, home, or holiday cottage. For more advice, check out these handy tips from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. 

Travel tips for dogs

If travelling a long distance with your dog, make sure that they are comfortable. Stop for regular comfort breaks so that they can do their business and stretch their limbs. If possible, install a headrest guard to protect your dog and other occupants of the car – if you don’t have a large enough car then consider installing a car seatbelt or a specially designed box seat for your pet.

Other items to make your dog’s area of the car comfortable is a non-slip boot liner which can help your animal stay sat comfortably without skidding about on their claws and paws. 

Never leave your dog in your car on a hot day even for a few minutes, it could kill them. If your dog isn’t used to travelling, read this guide on how to get them comfortable with your car. 

Dogs on leads

When out and about, in most instances, you can keep your animal safe from danger if they are kept on the lead. This is particularly important in unfamiliar areas – unseen or unanticipated hazards for your dog may present themselves unexpectedly like sudden drops, cliffs, traffic, deep water, fast currents, other dogs, or cattle. However, being cautious and responsible needn’t hinder your enjoyment.

When in the countryside, there aren’t always signs to follow like in the towns, so be extra vigilant and on the lookout for sheep and cows. Before crossing into a new field, check if there are there any sheep and act accordingly. Please close all gates that you open for access. Sheep worrying by dogs is a grave offence. Please don’t assume that your dog is not capable of chasing and harming lambs, removing the opportunity is your responsibility – the statistics highlight the need to keep them restrained: up to 15,000 sheep are killed by domestic dogs per year in the UK alone. Farmers have the legal right to protect their flocks, so please be thoughtful to the farmer, the lambs and sheep, and your pet.   

Please keep your dog safe by observing dog restriction zones. There may be hidden hazards you don’t know about – these exclusions are not put in place to inconvenience you, they are often in place to protect yourself, your dogs, and potentially rare and threatened flora and fauna.

Meeting other dogs

Dogs are territorial beasts so when they are on holiday, they are often busy getting used to their new surroundings, trying to establish their whereabouts, and enjoying new scents. It can be exciting for some, daunting or scary for others – so it’s a good thing to be aware of local dogs that are closer to home and are behaving in a protective manner.

As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to keep your pet on the lead in unfamiliar areas, but it’s also smart to be mindful of other dogs and give them plenty of space if other owners have their dog on the lead. Some pets tend to feel the need to square up to another similar-sized dog when tethered. On the other hand, if you see a dog off the lead walking at heel with their owner, it’s worth letting your own dog free (if there is no room to step aside) so they can introduce themselves to one another in a calm manner (and on an equal footing).  

Always give space to dogs wearing yellow – very often the owners have dressed their pets this way because they are a rescue dog with nervous issues, or an angry temperament – and they require other dog owners to give them a wide berth. In other cases, the pets may be blind or deaf – or they are an assistance dog. A lot of the time, the owners have labelled the high-vis jackets so you know the reason why their pet is all dressed up.

If you are having a snack, and your dog is waiting for scraps, be mindful of other dog owners as this could cause your buddy to bark at the ‘interloper’. Wherever possible, also give attendant dogs in ‘picnic mode’ a very wide berth if you are walking by too. Our dogs are only protecting what, they think, is rightly theirs – and who can blame them?

Protecting your dog from natural hazards

When out and about, make yourself aware of potential hazards such as poisonous plants, adders, and ticks. In the UK, we are relatively safe from deadly reptiles, bees and wasps, animals, and plants but it is best to know what to keep an eye out for in order to keep your hound out of harm’s way.

Adders

Whilst adders are an uncommon sight in the UK, they are very present. You can find the European adder in hot weather in grasslands, sand dune systems and quarries. A bite is harmless to a human, but its venom is potentially deadly to a dog. Here is what to do if your dog is bitten by a snake in the UK. 

Plants poisonous to dogs in the UK

There are a number of plants that can cause your dog to be very ill. The most common one is rapeseed; when it’s in season, turning our fields gorgeous and yellow, keep your dog away. If they eat rapeseed it causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and it has the potential to burn and irritate their skin. Other plants to avoid include, blue-green algae, giant hogweed, wild mushrooms and fungi, foxgloves, rhubarb leaves, wild onion, garlic, and chives.

Bees and wasps

Dogs love chasing flying insects, but they are in for a nasty surprise if they tackle a bee or a wasp. A single sting will cause your dog mild irritation if it takes place on the body; there is a bit more to think about if they are stung inside the mouth as the ‘wound’ may cause a swelling and lead to breathing problems. If they have been stung more than once, then consult your vet immediately. Here is what to do if your dog has been stung by a bee or a wasp.

Ticks

Whilst ticks aren’t deadly, they are a major irritant for dogs. These parasites often lie in wait in tall grass and hop aboard your pet, burying their heads in their flanks. You can extract them with tweezers as very often your dog can’t extract them without help. Tick season runs from spring to autumn, so it's worth consulting your vet to see if there is a suitable repellent against ticks for your pet. Check your pet regularly or if you spot them nursing and worrying at a certain spot on their bodies, as it could be a tick. Finally, if you are planning a holiday, establish whereabouts your nearest vet is and when they are open before you go.

Keeping your dog safe in a holiday home

A holiday home is a new adventure for you and your dog. When reading the property description at the time of booking consider whether the property is suitable for your specific needs. The online property photographs and blurb can help you decide in advance. However, on arrival you can evaluate potential hazards more accurately. 

Think about nearby busy roads and how enclosed the garden is, and establish firmly with your pet where it is allowed to be (for instance are their requests from the owners to keep your four-legged friends out of the bedrooms and off the couches?) to keep your deposit out of danger. Read our Canine Cottages checklist to make sure you have all you need for your dog on your next holiday cottage stay. For even more handy tips on keeping your dog safe and healthy visit the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home microsite - click the button below.

Booking your dog-friendly break

After your short property reccy is complete, you can relax and enjoy your dog-friendly holiday accommodation. Why not visit our collection to feel inspired? We have pet-friendly places to stay all across England, Scotland and Wales.