Enjoying Labor Day with Your Dog

Are you ready to enjoy this last salute to summer: Labor Day? If you’re planning to take in some sun, swimming, and sizzling barbecue this long weekend, be sure to take a few moments to make some safety plans for your dog, whether you’ll be enjoying the holiday at home or on the road.

1. Assign a doggie guardian. When you’re on a different schedule (and this holds true for any holiday), it’s all too easy to find yourself in an “I thought you were watching the dog” situation. Designate one person to watch your dog and know his location at all times, whether that’s out at the lake or around your house as guests come in and out.

1. Follow dog safety on the water. Don’t assume your dog is a good swimmer; some are not. Put a doggie life jacket on your pooch if you’ll be out on the water.

1. Keep him away from the grill. Many Labor Day celebrations will include an afternoon barbecue. Find a safe place—whether a spare bedroom or his crate—for your dog to call home for a few hours when you barbecue. Keep lighter fluids and matches away and, when the barbecue’s over, make sure your grill has cooled before your dog goes back into the yard. Charcoal users, be sure to put those ashes in a container with a tight lid; the fat-flecked ashes are all too tempting for dogs.

1. Never leave your dog in the car. Never, never leave your dog in the car; temperatures will soar to oven levels within minutes. End of discussion.

1. Make sure your dog is tagged. The ins and outs of any holiday make it too easy for a dog to run out. Be sure your dog always wears his collar, even in the house, and check the ID tag. Is it up to date? Even better: consider microchipping your dog so he can be identified even if his collar is lost.

Related Tips:

• Packing for a Labor Day Trip with Your Dog
• Keeping Your Dog Safe While BBQing
• Pool Safety: Water In, Water Out
• Pool Safety: Knowing When to Say When
• Pool Safety: After the Swim
• Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer
• Keeping Your Dog Cool on the Dog Walk

Photo iStockPhoto

Related posts:

1. Enjoying a Doggie Splash Day
2. Keeping Your Dog Safe While BBQing
3. Labor Day Dog Paddle, Madison, WI, Sept. 7, 2009
4. Pool Safety: After the Swim
5. Keeping Your Dog Safe at Christmas