Many accidents can occur when walking your dog. If he manages to get off of his leash, your dog may be struck by traffic, fight with other dogs, or may run away. You must always keep tight control of your dog when walking him in order to keep him safe from injury.

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It’s important to select the right leash for your dog to maximize your pet’s safety when taking him for walks. Leashes generally come in either leather, chain, or nylon. Leather leashes look nice, but your dog may be tempted to chew on it if he can get access to his leash when you’re not walking him since he will be attracted to the leather scent. Chain leashes are incredibly strong and unlikely to break, but can be very uncomfortable for your dog. If your dog is prone to getting excited and pulling on his leash, a chain leash isn’t a good choice. Chain leashes have very little elasticity, so your dog will experience intense force when he reaches the end of it and begins pulling on it. Nylon leashes are all-around the best choice, as they are inexpensive and comfortable for your dog. Take care not to get them wet, as this can degrade the integrity of the nylon fibers. If you notice frayed fibers in the leash, get a new one. Damaged nylon leashes are prone to suddenly snapping.

Retractable leashes are becoming incredibly popular, as they allow you to determine how close your dog must stay to you. However, if you don’t manage to lock the length of the leash in place quick enough when your dog bolts after a squirrel, another dog, or a car, it can be like suddenly having no leash at all. Even though it may be comfortable for your dog, a retractable leash won’t keep him as safe as other leashes.

Pay attention to the weather conditions when you go out to walk your dog. If the weather is too warm, your dog may begin to get too hot. This is an especially common danger with breeds that have long coats or double coats designed for cooler climates. If the weather outside is cold, you will need to stay clear of ice. Ice will make it hard for your dog to walk, and small chunks of ice may get stuck between your dog’s paws. This will make walking uncomfortable for your dog, and in the worse case may end up cutting his paws.

Photo: alainlm

Avoid walking in high traffic areas or in areas where there are many stray or unleashed dogs. The sounds of traffic may make your dog anxious and more likely to react unpredictably to stimuli. Other dogs who aren’t on leashes or who don’t have owners around can agitate your dog, causing him to behave aggressively.

Unless all of your dogs are experienced and calm when going for walks, don’t take more than two dogs out for a walk at a time. This will just increase the chances that something will go wrong, as you will suddenly have to manage more dogs than you can handle.Information provided by Logan Johansson of Oh My Dog Supplies, where you can find a fantastic collection of small dog beds online.