Superbowl Sunday Is here… do you have a plan to keep your dogs safe? Here is a simple checklist:
- Don’t trust dogs and guests unsupervised. Many people, including friends and family members, might try to “teach your dog a lesson” while you aren’t watching, play dangerous rough games, play “sic ‘em” games, give your dog dangerous toys, or try to feed your dog things that are lethal. NO WRESTLING GAMES WITH THE DOG!!!!
- Exercise your dog before guests arrives, mid-day, and early evening. A tired dog is a good dog. Be sure to let your dog rest an hour before you feed, and don’t exercise your dog unless you’ve waited at least 3 hours after a meal. Bloat and torsion are killers.
- Have a plan to take the dog outside to potty on regular intervals. When you are entertaining guests, or you are visiting with your dog, it is too easy to forget who is supposed to be taking the dog outside to potty, and what time it is. Have a plan on who is going to watch the dog.
- Don’t trust dogs and kids unsupervised. Kids need parents to supervise them. They can’t supervise themselves. The last thing you need is a dog bite/ attack on a kid who was pestering your dog.
- Dogs don’t need snack food scraps. Some healthy tid bits are OK, but no big gobs of fat (don’t give your dog a whole chicken skin… it can kill some dogs), chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, spicy food, turkey bones, etc. When in doubt, don’t give a party food to a dog. Also, put away all medicines, especially those that could be swept onto the floor from your kitchen and bathroom counters.
- Some dogs have bitten guests if people suddenly get too loud. That startling effect can scare some dogs. If this is your dog’s first Superbowl, keep an eye on how your dog is handling it.
- Know the phone number and location of the nearest emergency animal clinic. Your vet will be closed for the “holiday.” If your dog is sickened by anything, or injured, don’t wait until Monday to get your dog to the vet… it will be too late, and your dog will be dead.
- Some snack foods are toxic to dogs.
- Watch the doors! Many dogs run away on Superbowl Sunday. It is a good idea to have your dog drag a 6-foot leash while the guests are at your home. Take off the leash if the dog is unsupervised and put your dog in its crate or kennel. Don’t tie the dog to a fixed object with the leash. Let the dog drag the leash so it can be with everyone.
- Warn Guests If Certain Things Cause Your Dog To Growl Or Bite! If there are gestures your dog finds threatening, then tell people not to do them.
- Be mindful of the weather! Some dogs can even overheat on a cool day, especially if they are continually running with other unfamiliar dogs in the yard unsupervised. Is your dog safe outside? Is the fence gate closed and locked? Are there dangerous objects or toys in the yard? In some situations, it is better to have a crate in your vehicle for the dog. Just make sure you monitor the temperatures and leave ventilation for your dog. Park such that no one can get to your dog or steal your vehicle. Sunlight can heat up a car to dangerous temperatures even in cold weather. And at night, the car can get too cold for your dog to withstand. The rule is: if you’d be comfortable sitting in that situation with your dog, with summer clothing on, then your dog is probably safe.
- Wackos take vicious dogs to parks off leash on Superbowl Sunday… be careful your dog isn’t attacked. And tell your kids to stay away from strange dogs at the park. Many times, these are people visiting from other areas.
- Make sure you have digital photos of your dog in case your dog runs away
- Don’t let your dog play with your relatives’ dogs unless you are SURE they will get along! Strange dogs will fight, especially if one of the dogs is on its own home turf.
- You can’t assume your family member’s houses are safe for your dog unsupervised. You pick up your stuff, and you know what your dog will get into. They don’t.
- If you are visiting with your dog, assume your dog will potty in your host’s house. Supervise your dog! All dogs, in new places, will go exploring. Male dogs will lift their legs and pee in the home.
- Assume your dog will get in a fight with your extended family’s cat, hamster, rat, guinea pig, bird, dog, horse or other pet(s). Be especially careful if you have a puppy.
- If you leave your dog at home, unsupervised, get a neighbor (someone the dog knows and is friendly with) or a dog walker to come by and check up on your dog. If your dog is a barker, a nasty neighbor might try to poison your dog while you are away. If you wait too long, your dog will potty in the home.
- Don’t expect your dog to act like a trained dog if your dog isn’t trained, or you haven’t been doing your obedience training homework. Don’t get mad at your dog for your lack of preparation!
- Make it fun and safe for everyone. Your dog can have a good time, but it is better to be safe than sorry.