Ten Dog Safety Tips For Autumn

The leaves are changing, the cool air is drifting in, and the dog days of summer are making way for a beautiful autumn. As the holiday season approaches, it's important to keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe.

Here are my top ten tips for keeping your dog safe over the fall months:

• Keep a collar and tags on your dog at all times. I recommend a PetHub tag for extra safety.
• Don't leave your dog unattended outside, especially during the cold winter months.

• Holidays usually mean lots of yummy food, but make sure you don't leave any food out on the counter within reach of your dog. Watch out for foods like chocolate, grapes, and raisins. If you have a counter-surfer, now is a good time to work on that behavior.
• Your busy holiday season can take a toll on your dog. Make sure you get him out for regular walks and playtime despite your jam-packed schedule.
• If you're planning on having guests over and have a dog that dashes when you open the door, teach him a "wait" cue.
• Keep your dog indoors on Halloween night. It may be a fun holiday for the kids, but it is usually a scary and traumatic evening for a dog.
• Don't forget your dog's monthly heartworm preventative; it's just as important in cooler weather.
• Watch your dog carefully in the snow. The ice in the snow can tear up a dog's paws.
• Put your kids' Halloween candy where your dog can't find it. That much chocolate could be seriously harmful to him if ingested.
• Dressing up your dog might look cute, but it can really stress out even the most patient of dogs. Save the costumes for the kids.

Follow these tips and you're sure to have a fabulous fall with your four-legged friends!