Dog ownership can bring a lot of joy to our lives. Despite the fun and love dogs provide, there is also a lot of responsibility involved, whether you’re driving around with Fido, taking him for a walk or just chilling at home. If you’re considering getting a dog or puppy, here are some essential dog precautions you might not have considered yet.

Driving Around With Fido

Dogs are becoming a more important part of our family than in the past. Today, many dog owners take their dogs with them for rides, to the park or even on family vacations.

When driving with your dog in the car, no matter how big or small they are, it’s essential that you take certain precautionary measures to ensure you can drive unhindered. According to Emmanuel Sheppard and Condon, “collisions are caused by a number of reasons, but [among] the most common are: Distracted Driving [and] Reckless Driving.” Your pooch can easily cause distracted or reckless driving by climbing over you as you drive and either blocking your view or distracting you because they stepped on you or caused you to spill your coffee either on yourself or all over your console. It’s vital that you train your dog how to behave in the car early or have them watched over by a passenger to ensure safe driving for both you and your pup. Doggy car seats are also an alternative to consider.

Drinking Water

Dogs seem to always be thirsty and not care where they get their water as long as it refreshes them. They don’t understand the dangers of different sources. Many dog owners believe that it’s OK to let their dog drink out of the toilet because the water comes from the same place as their drinking water. However, as PetMD informs us, “humans can pass diseases... to their animals, and the consumption of toilet water can put your pet on the road to infection.” In other words, if a toilet is not kept clean, the dog can pick up bacteria that can make it sick. Additionally, if you use commercial toilet bowl cleaners that are attached in the tank, the chemicals can be hazardous to the dog. To try to stop your pet from drinking out of the toilet, it’s recommended that you make it a practice of keeping the lid down and bathroom door shut. However, if that’s not a viable option for you in your house, making sure that cool, clean water is offered in abundance all over the house would work as well.

Protection from the Elements

Whether you live in a warm climate or one with cold, blustery winters, it’s essential to protect your dog from the elements because they often can’t defend themselves. It’s ideal to research your dog’s breed to see what they can and cannot handle. Heavy set, extremely furry dogs might be better suited for winter than you on cold days, but perhaps they’re only equipped for medium cold days, and on days when it’s minus 20 degrees farenheit, they might have to come inside. For those of you who do not know what kind of breed your dog is or what they can and cannot handle, a good rule to follow is that if you wouldn’t be comfortable sitting in those conditions, your dog won’t either. Extreme heat or cold can be very hazardous to your dog’s health, so be sure to be aware of your dog’s behavior in various weather conditions. As AVMA advises, “Check your dog's paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding.” This could help you to know if something’s wrong with your dog before things worsen.