prevention is better than cure and most mishaps which could endanger your dog can be avoided.
For example, make sure all chemicals and harmful medicines are locked in a safe place. Illnesses resulting from swallowing objects, medicines or household chemicals are among the most reported problems that dogs suffer from.
Dogs cannot think about the dangers that are around them but YOU can think for them.
If you think that your dog has eaten a poisonous or dangerous substance, you need to contact your vet right away and hang on to any packaging so the vet can see exactly what the substance was. Do not try to make the dog sick as this may do more harm than good.
Among the most common problems are injuries following road accidents or fights with other dogs.
Traffic is one of the biggest hazards that a dog can face. Don't ever allow your dog to roam unattended however well behaved he is and always make sure he is on a leash near the road. You need to train your dog to come when called as this is obviously useful to get him away from any danger.
It is also a good idea to get your dog neutered as this lessens his roaming instinct which can cause accidents. This is equally important for both sexes.
Socialize your dog with other dogs when he is still young. A dog that can say "Hello" properly is less likely to be involved in a fight. Many organizations run classes that teach dogs to socialize with each other and make friends. These can often be found in your locality and are an excellent idea.
Take your dog once every year to the vet for a check-up where problems that you are unaware of can be picked up. It is far better for your vet to discover a problem than for something dire to happen when you are walking with your dog somewhere remote miles from help.
For many dogs their greatest pleasure is fetching sticks. The problem is that catching a stick the wrong way can cause terrible injuries and because they occur inside the throat or mouth these injuries can be very difficult - and expensive - to treat.
It is better to have a regular toy like a ball or some other indestructible object that he can chase - just make sure that it is too big to swallow. Choose these toys with caution because if they can fit inside your dog's mouth they can lodge in his throat which will cause him to choke.
In reality keeping your dog safe from hidden dangers is down to the common sense of the owner - just make sure that you are alert as to what can happen and you and your dog can carry on living in a worry-free environment.
