How to keep your pet safe during outdoor adventures

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One of my goals this year is to bring the dogs out with me more. I think as a dog mom, I have really failed at getting Fiona familiar with the outside world.

When Schmidt was my only dog, we went everywhere together. We went to bars, restaurants and walks together all the time.

Schmidt and I were it – I didn’t have a career yet. I wasn’t as tired, and I was in college, so I had an extremely busy social schedule that Schmidt would follow me along in. He met new dogs on the regular, and we were always going out.

When I got a second dog (Fiona), it was harder for me to bring both of them places. Unfortunately, Fiona has not been socialized as well as Schmidt because of this.

She genuinely is terrified of other dogs, and when I bring them both to the dog park, her fear makes Schmidt protective of her (so he ends up being a turd too).

Now that my siblings moved in with me, I am trying to get out more with them. I want Fiona to feel safer around other dogs and to enjoy hanging out.

We live near a lot of cool parks and rivers, and I am planning on bringing them on more trips. I think going on outdoor adventures is a good first step in socialization.

I want to make sure they are safe and feel secure when they are in new environments, so we do a lot to prepare for our excursions.

Here are some tips if you are trying to bring your pet on outdoor vacations:

Protect your pets from fleas and ticks

When you enter a new environment, there are new critters that your dog is exposed to. It is so easy for some fleas to latch on to your pet and come home with you.

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From topical treatments to collars, Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® offers complete flea and tick protection for less, keeping your pet pest free and ready for any outdoor adventure this summer.

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Invest in a life jacket

Before you go on saying that is so extra, let me explain. Schmidt has been swimming in ponds and creeks his whole life.

I literally cannot keep him out of the water. It is a constant struggle.

We went to a creek in a park near our house. We had been there numerous times, and I always let him swim. The water isn’t very deep (it goes to me waist), and he is a strong swimmer.

When he was swimming one day, something happened. I still don’t know if he got attached to a tree limb and started panicking or if it was dragging him down, but he started to go under.

I had to jump into this disgusting creek to pull him out, and I have never been so scared in my life.

After that experience, I don’t care about the extra cost or if it seems silly. The life jacket would have protected him, and so we own one now.

Bring water with you

Never forget to bring water with you if you are going anywhere with your pet. They need to stay hydrated.

I always keep 2-3 water bottles in a backpack. I also bring a folding bowl with me, so I can give them water on the go.

Remember, your dog can’t talk, so it is up to you to know when they need water.

Build a first aid kit

Just like humans, doggies need emergency aid every once in a while. In the outdoors, there are tons of creatures and other things that could hurt them.

The Red Cross has a great first aid kit list. I like to bring tweezers, socks (for paws in case they are injured), hydrogen peroxide and ointment.

How do you keep your pets safe while on trips?