Walks with your beloved dog aren’t just a chore forced on you by the limited capacity of your pet’s bladder. They’re also a great pleasure that comes from spending time together in the fresh air.
What can you do to make sure a walk with your dog is as safe as possible? We have 10 tried-and-tested ways.
1. The place
Let’s be realistic – day to day we don’t have much choice of walking routes, especially in the city. But let’s check whether our route passes through dangerous spots: squares with broken glass, a narrow pavement next to a busy road, a playground full of boisterous children, or places where sudden noise or other stressful stimuli might occur.
2. The leash
In the city and near busy roads, but also in most forests, your dog should wear a sturdy leash suited to its temperament, weight and size. Your dog will get the chance to enjoy some freedom in places designed for it, such as certain parks, quiet squares or dedicated dog runs.
3. A microchip and ID tag
Under Polish law, every dog should carry some form of identification. That way, if it gets lost, it will be easier to find the owner, and in the event of a dispute, to establish who it belongs to.
4. A yellow ribbon
A walk with your dog should be not only safe but also pleasant for everyone involved. If your dog isn’t keen on contact with strangers, tie a yellow ribbon to its collar. More and more people know what it means: “Don’t touch me!”.
5. A tracker
Attach a notiOne GPS PET to your pet’s collar. It’s a GPS tracker designed specifically for dogs and cats. Our tracker works with no subscription, it’s light and waterproof, and it gives you a constant view of your pet’s position in the app.
Thanks to the built-in SIM card and the free notiOne app, you can check where your pet is – in real time and from anywhere. Coverage spans the whole country (the PLUS version – the whole world).
See what the notiOne GPS PET looks like on a collar.
6. A photo
Take an up-to-date photo of your pet. Not just its whole body, but its distinguishing marks too. Photos like these make it much easier to find your dog if it runs away or is stolen.
7. Vigilance
Pay attention to what your dog is doing. Don’t let it slip out of your sight. Keep checking whether there are any people or other animals nearby that could pose a threat to your pet or trigger unwanted behaviour. And be sure to watch that it isn’t eating something that could harm it!
8. Supervision
If a walk with your dog doubles as a chance to do some shopping, try to keep it as short as possible. Don’t leave your dog out in the cold or in full sun. Don’t lock it in the car either. If at all possible, it’s best not to leave your pet unattended outside the home at all!
9. Paw protection
In winter, protect the delicate pads of your dog’s paws with petroleum jelly or another ointment designed for the purpose. This will protect your dog against frostbite, salt that can irritate the skin, and the chemicals used for de-icing windscreens.
10. Stamina
Is a walk with your dog a chance for you to get some exercise? Great! But remember that your dog isn’t necessarily as fit as you are. Take this into account when planning running or cycling routes, and watch your pet closely to make sure these outings aren’t too tiring for it. When cycling together, attach the leash to a harness, never to the collar!
