Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Back Yard Safety and DogFenceDIY

We are joining DogFenceDIY who has partnered with dogs and their families around the globe to give you stories and tips on how to keep dogs safe based on their own experiences. If you have some safety tips you can also join in - it can be about anything from getting lost, getting sick, surviving a natural disaster, going on vacation, traveling, hiking, going to the beach etc..... and they have a prize for the best one!!!!!

Today we are going to look at our very own backyard - something we often forget or overlook.

Safety Tip 1 - Check your fences
Now spring is here - it is good time to check your fences. All the harsh weather over winter can take a toll on fences, whether they are wood or metal. Check for warped or splintered boards and holes that we doggies could get our paws or noses stuck in. Loose planks are easy for us to push completely off giving us a chance to escape. Also remember to check for any nails that may be sticking out - if we get excited and jump at the fence these could cause real damage.



Safety Tip 2 - Know what is growing
There are many flowers, vegetables and trees that are dangerous to pets if they are ingested. We have a veggie garden in our back yard that is fenced off and Mom grows onion and garlic in there which are both toxic to dogs. For a complete list of plants and trees that can be harmful to pets ....visit the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic plant listing.

Equally something everyone should have in a prominent place in their home is the ASPCA 24 hour Poisons Hotline number  1-888-426-4435 to call if they think their pet has ingested something toxic or poisonous. Remember though - get your pet to vets as quickly as possible.
Azaleas are poisonous to doggies if ingested
Daffodil Bulbs are also poisonous in ingested














Safety Tip 3 - Chemicals
There are now many "pet safe" bug and weed sprays and fertilizers. Make sure you read ALL the facts carefully and understand the time it must be left before pets can walk on it. If you have a professional company take care of your garden double check that what they use is 'pet safe'  We prefer not to use any kind of chemicals in our backyard as even the eco friendly ones often contain garlic which can make us dogs sick.

Safety Tip 4 - Gates
We live in a neighborhood with quite a few children and when they are playing they often forget they are not meant to be in other people yards. For this reason it is important to think about putting locks on or child proofing your gates.

If you have propane or oil delivered or a gardening service make sure you put a sign on the inside of the gate reminding them that they must close the gates after them. The few simple things can prevent you from searching the neighborhood looking for your pet after a gate is left open.

26 comments:

  1. Great tips. Dog Dad usually has the fence company come out in the Spring or Fall after he checks the fence for the pre and post winter checkups when we've had damage. The company is very dog friendly and understands the needs for us doggies to not get out.

    Great tips. We've looked into various places helping us with our yard, but Mom has yet to find one that meets her requirements for dog safe. So, she continues to move forward without one.

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  2. Very good tips and reminders!

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  3. Those are some great tips. We don't have a fence at our new house, we wish we did, we could run free more - or rather, Lee could run free more!

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  4. Fences and gates. We learnt the hard way. Now gate stays shut and fences are secure. Luckily nothing bad ever happened. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  5. This is a wonderful post my friend! We can never be too safe with our anipals in their own yard. Daddy will go through my backyard this weekend. It can't be good after the winter months. Thanks so much!! XOXO - Bacon

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  6. Thank you for sharing these tips, my momma needed all these reminders.
    stella rose

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  7. Those are brilliant tips! My neighbor has been fixing spots in his fence recently so his new puppy cannot "escape".
    *high paws*
    Oz

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  8. THIS is a very TIMELY and IMPAWTANT post. Our dad just had to work on the gates that go into our SAFE at NIGHT fenced in area.
    Could we add One to your list?
    WE have a Motion Light in our safe at night pen area. It makes enough light that mom and dad can be SURE that there isn't anythingy in there that might... GET US.

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  9. Great tips! This one watches us like a hawk
    Lily & Edward

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  10. What a super post! And today we planned to buy a new fence, that's a timing. I agree with you it's important to have a safe area for dogs. And so we will start next week with a diy-fence-diasaster :o)

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  11. I had a springer spaniel, a long time ago, and he kept getting out of the yard. I couldn't figure out how. No holes dug under fence, no missing boards on the picket fence. So I let him out and watched him. He ran to the far side of the yard and stared sticking his face between the pickets. It took him two or three tries and then the bottom part of the picket fence board swing sideways. Out he went. The the board swing back into place. Sneaky dog.So I went out to fix it. I had to press on multiple boards until I found the one that wasn't nailed at the bottom. Just looking at it, you couldn't tell.

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  12. What a wonderful post!! It reminded us that we need to get Mama to check out our fence!!

    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  13. Excellent tips!
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  14. Reilly! Thanks for the tips and reminders!

    Love,
    Homer

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  15. Those are great tips, there are so many sharp thorns and things in the garden.
    Dip and Elliot x

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  16. Those are very good tips, there are so many dangers in the garden.
    Dip and Elliot x

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  17. Those are some wonderful tips!!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

    Pee Ess - Remember to get your entry in for the official Blogville logo. It will be used on all official Blogville documents as well as our flag! The dead lion is June 15th. Then everybody can vote and Mayoress Madi will announce the winner! Email your entry to us at: cecampbell[AT]msn[DOT]com.

    PPS - Thanks for your entry already!

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  18. Check, check, check. We've just had to do the puppy proof survey.

    XXXOOO Bella Roxy & Dui

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  19. super good tips! Actually, we have a post that is already scheduled for Thursday that lists the plants......a friend on Facebook asked me to post it after I shared a blog post someone had done about poisonous plants for cats. We can never see this info enough!

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  20. Those are FABulous tips Denny, and might I say, you make a most wonderful model!!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  21. Very good advice boys! Especially about our back yards, sometimes we forget to keep an eye on things right under our noses! I am always helping dad when he grills out and I get yelled at a lot when I am snooping around too close! Love Dolly

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  22. Great tips. Hope your mom is still feeling good.

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  23. Excellent tips guys.
    Wally & Sammy

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  24. Great post, Reilly. These are all very good tips!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  25. Great tips. I always worry whether my gates are open since I can't see them from the back of the house.

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  26. Excellent tips you guys! Especially the notice to close the gate. Katie's older sister got out sort of like that and we didn't find her for 3 days!

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Thank you for woofing at us - we read each and every one of them