Safe travels with your puppy
In addition to the safety precautions in your →apartment, there are also several things to consider when you're out and about. Whether it's the pool in your own garden or toxic plants by the roadside: Your puppy's curiosity can sometimes lead to trouble.
You might be wondering at the beginning of your walk: "How long can my puppy actually go for a walk?" This question is quite important, as puppies have little to no stamina and can get tired very quickly. You can use the guideline that the walk in minutes should be no longer than your puppy's age in months. If you bring your four-legged friend home at 8 weeks from the breeder, the outing in the green should be correspondingly short.
To ensure that both of you are safe while out and about and can enjoy your time carefree in nature, here are 5 tips for you.
1. Caution in traffic
As curious as your puppy may be at times, he can also become shy in unfamiliar situations. Cars, bicycles, scooters, inline skates, and other modes of transport can sometimes cause fear.
Since encounters with these are relatively likely while out, you can optimally acclimate your puppy to them. Let him observe cars and bicycles from a distance first and then arrange for a closer sniffing of the object in consultation.
The same goes for joggers: The fast running towards your puppy can initially cause uncertainty.
Your puppy may get startled and try to flee. Since your four-legged friend does not have good orientation at first and the open road is very dangerous, you should keep a close eye on him and always have him on a leash.
2. Toxic plants by the roadside
Being outdoors is very exciting for your puppy - especially the flowers and bushes in the woods. Just like at home, there are plants here that can quickly lead to poisoning and even death.
When your puppy is sniffing around, you should always keep a close eye on him. If he shows signs of wanting to nibble on something, lead him safely and firmly away from the spot and say "Leave it!".
Later, your dog will start to occasionally eat grass, which is harmless. However, in the beginning, you should not let him nibble on grasses, as he does not yet have a sense of which plants are safe to eat.
Toxic plants in the garden and outdoors include:
- Lily of the valley
- Tulip
- Foxglove
- Hydrangea
- Mistletoe
- Oleander
- Rhododendron
- Ivy
- Tomato plant
- Golden rain
Additionally, there are various other plant species that can harm your four-legged friend if ingested.
3. Caution in pools, ponds, and lakes
Splashing around is fun! However, since swimming in larger bodies of water does not always happen as controlled as a trip to the bathtub, there are several things to consider.
If you have a well-accessible pool in your garden where your puppy cannot stand, all ladders should be removed after swimming. Make sure your puppy cannot fall into or climb into the pool - drowning is a risk because young dogs are still not very coordinated and can panic more easily.
When going swimming at the lake or walking past a pond, always keep your puppy on a leash to prevent him from falling in. Once your four-legged friend is skilled at swimming, splashing in the lake is of course also possible without a leash!
Probier's doch mal hiermit!
4. Contact with other dogs
While young dogs usually playfully sprint towards each other, the enthusiasm for contact with adult dogs is limited: Not every four-legged friend tolerates the playful, intrusive behavior of a puppy.
To avoid your puppy getting bitten and suffering serious injuries, you should only let him sniff after consulting with the owner of the other dog. Some dogs have had bad experiences and have been bitten or are generally not as sociable as your puppy - even if he means no harm.
Therefore, your puppy should generally always be on a leash when other dogs might be nearby.
5. Poison bait
Sadly, but true: some (un)people seem to have a need to distribute treats filled with poison or sharp objects at the edges of roads, in parks, or on meadows to deliberately harm your little four-legged friend. Usually, these are well disguised, so your puppy may sniff out and eat the bait before you can react. Especially in the beginning, puppies chew on everything they encounter.
The likelihood that he finds a piece of sausage filled with poison tasty is quite high. You can specifically teach your dog to only accept food from you and not to pick up anything from the ground.
Practice at home with his favorite →treat that you offer him. Train the *"Leave it!" and praise him extensively. Working with a treat pouch* is also a good option for this. We also have →tips for training at home for you.
