Labor Day is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. It means summer is officially over as it gives way to cooler fall temperatures. This holiday is well known for family barbecues and other outdoor activities as everyone wants to enjoy one last big get-together before the weather starts to turn. While this is an exciting time of year, remember to keep your pet safe during all the festivities.
Here are 5 Labor Day dog safety tips to help keep your pet safe and secure this holiday:
1. Keep your dog off the BBQ grill. Even well-trained dogs are sometimes curious, especially when they smell steaks and hamburgers being prepared on the grill. The smell can be so enticing that your pet may decide to try a bite, which could lead to serious injuries. It can be difficult to watch your dog while cooking and entertaining guests. Secure it in another part of the yard or assign someone to look after it while the grill is hot, in case the delicious aroma emanating from that hot grill tempts it to try a taste.
2. If your dog is shy around many people or just not very social, find him a nice quiet place to stay while you have fun. Keeping your pet around guests can stress her out if people try to pet her and play with her when she would rather be left alone. If your dog is too stressed out from all the commotion, he may even bite or bite someone. For this reason, it is best to have a special place where she can stay until the barbecue is over, unless she is very fond of others.
3. Do not allow your guests to feed or give the dog anything to drink. You can politely inform everyone that you like to watch what they eat for their own safety, or let everyone know that you don't feed your dog table scraps to prevent them from giving him something that could make him sick. Some people may not know that bones can lodge in a dog's throat and cause choking, or that certain types of food and drink can make a dog very ill. You'll also need to store the litter in a place your pet can't reach, or they might be tempted to dig to see what smells so good.
4. If you or your guests use insect repellants, keep them away from your dog. Insect spray and oils contain substances that can make her very sick if she ingests them. Insect coils and citronella candles can also be dangerous for your pet, so make sure all types of repellants are out of reach of your dogs.
5. When you're getting ready for a big barbecue, it's easy to get so wrapped up in things that you forget to check your dog's bowls to make sure his needs are met, too. Don't keep your dog waiting while everyone around him is eating and drinking. Give him plenty of food so he doesn't beg for leftovers and plenty of fresh cold water to drink.
