Caring for a dog properly means always being prepared as well as preventing possible common injuries that can occur. Browse over the following checklist to make sure that you are giving your dog the best care that you can and making sure they are safe when out on the town.

• To promote your dog’s health, do not overfeed him or her, this will ensure a lower risk of joint problems and heart conditions.

• Wait a minimum of two days after your dog has recovered from an illness before you expose it to other dogs.

• If your canine consistently acts out of control, enroll him or her in an obedience training class before you take them in the company of others.

• To avoid the unknown (illness, injury and safety), never allow your dog to loiter, play or roam in an unsecured or restricted area.

• In the company of your canine and others, try to anticipate their excitement from accidentally slamming into you by slightly bending your knees to prevent hyperextension.

• At the park, you should not be surprised when you call your dog and other canines respond.

•   During extreme temperatures, protect your canine from developing, hypothermia, heat stroke (overheating) as well as frostbite. Do not take your pet to the park during harsh weather conditions.

• Never feed other people's canine pets for two reasons: 1) Not all treats agree with all dogs. The food you give someone else’s dog could affect it's digestion; 2) Certain owners have their dog on a restrictive diet.

• In general, it is never a good idea to feed your dog prior to a ride in the car

• Make sure they have adequate nutrition as the full spectrum of vitamins can not be received from dry dog food alone, a good way to do this is with breed specific dog vitamins from doggyvitamin.com

11-Ways to Protect Your Dog While Outdoors

Whether you are walking your canine to the park or letting him run freely in the park, your dog’s safety is precious. Use the following tips to protect your dog from loss, injury or illness.

• Always place a dog tag or some type of identification on your canine pet. Micro chipping is the perfect ID alternative, Microchips are implanted into the skin of the neck and they can be scanned to help identify your dog's information if they are lost or in case you need to prove ownership of a stolen dog.

• Unless you are in an enclosed or gated area, keep dogs on a 6 foot leash and check check fences to ensure they are securely locked and that there are no holes dug under the fences from your dog, other dogs or wild animals.

• To prevent your canine from drinking stagnant, contaminant water, carry either a sport bottle or a bowl with water

• At the park, before you allow your pooch to run freely with other dogs, replace training collars (pinch or choke) with an identifying buckle collar.
  

• To get your dog acclimated and warmed up for its walk, be sure to take brisk strides and a moderate jog before you release him from with other canines.

• Keep a watchful eye on your dog during any rumbling and tumbling as this is when most accidents occur.

• Prohibit your dog from associating with overly aggressive canines like pitbulls.
  

• Familiarize yourself with the rules, ordinances of your neighborhood. Contact your local municipal’s city hall.

• Confirm which parks are for dogs and the hours of the venue.

• Always tote a duty bag to clean up after your dog.

• To prevent the spread of any worms, parasites or the chances of you our your dog stepping in other dog’s fecal matter, request that other dog owners also tidy up after their canine.