Dog safety tips: how to keep dogs and humans safe

Updated 14/11/2024

Whether you’re a pet parent or sitter, dog safety is your top priority when it comes to looking after your pup. Explore our pet safety tips below where we dive into food safety, bite prevention preventing, the importance of dog training and more.

Dog safety tips for pet owners and dog lovers

1. Know what dogs can and can’t eat
2. Practice dog safety around strange dogs
3. Avoid interacting with dogs when they’re sleeping or eating
4. Practice dog safety around children
5. Prioritize dog training, socialization and enrichment
6. Organize verified vacation pet care
7. Prevent dog aggression 
8. Keep your dog safe in all weather
9. Prevent a missing dog
10. Know the signs of illness

Know what food is safe for dogs

Rule 101 when it comes to dog safety (and safety for animals of other kinds in your care) is to know what they can and can’t eat. This applies to dogs of your own, and other people’s dogs too. 

As a rule of thumb, avoid feeding someone else’s dog - even if it’s just a treat, as you never know what they might be intolerant of. And to get you started, find a list below of the foods dogs should never eat, that every dog lover needs to be aware of.

• Garlic
• Onions
• Chocolate 
• Anything containing caffeine
• Lemon and lime
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Bones
• Processed foods, like ice cream, hot dogs and burgers
• Nutmeg
• Alcohol
• Xylitol (found in sugar-free chewing gum and some peanut butter)
• Moldy foods

Practice dog safety around strange dogs

Another vital element of dog safety is being safe around dogs you don’t know. While you might be experienced around canines or a new dog seems friendly enough, it’s always for the best to act with caution - for both safe dogs and humans. Below find a few tips on keeping everyone safe when it comes to new dogs.

• Know the signs that a dog isn’t comfortable with your presence - body language and signs of fear and submission (like crouching, a low tail, and a lack of eye contact) all mean you should back away.
• Never approach or touch a dog even if they seem friendly, unless you have explicit permission from the owner.
• Find a barrier between you and the new dog if they’re off-leash and confrontational - this will keep you physically safe until the dog has settled down.
• Along with getting permission from owners to approach a dog, this naturally means you should never approach a dog that’s tied up. It’s a vulnerable situation for a pup to be in, and you never know whether they’re comfortable around strangers.

Avoid dogs when sleeping or eating

Another key tip for dog safety - and a 101 dog rule for humans is to never approach or touch a dog when they’re sleeping, eating, or getting stuck into a toy or chew they truly love (AKA a high-value treat). It may startle them, and some dogs may become possessive over their toys.

Practice dog safety around children

According to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), children - out of all family members - are at the highest risk of being bitten by a family dog, and people are more likely to be bitten by a pet than a strange dog.

With this in mind, it’s vital pet parents practice dog safety around children to prevent anyone being bitten by a dog. 

Below, find a few tips on keeping children out of harm’s way and preventing accidents around even the safest dogs.

• Always supervise young children around your dog at all times - their loud noises and sudden movements can be frightening for dogs, which can - in some cases - cause them to lash out.
• Set a good example - never maintain eye contact for too long with a dog, never antagonize them, and respect their space when they’re eating, sleeping, or showing signs of submission.
• Never leave dogs alone in a room with a baby, even if they’re away in a cot, pen, or pram.

Prioritize dog training, socialization, and enrichment

One of the best dog safety tips we can share with you is to train your dog - a trained, obedient dog is a safe dog. Plus, it helps to keep the humans and other pets around them safe, too. Below, find a few tips on dog training, socialization, and enrichment, and why it’s so important for dog safety.

• Socialize your dog from a young age, exposing them to a variety of settings, people, and situations. This includes exposing them to young children, other dogs, vet visits, the groomer’s, roads, and bustling city cafes. This exposure will set your dog up for life, and they’ll grow into confident, calm adult dogs.
• Consistently train your dog as soon as you welcome them home, adopting a positive reinforcement style, where they’re rewarded and praised for good behavior.
• Train your dog, even if you adopt an adult pup - as Rob Kuty - certified master dog trainer, President of San Diego Pet Training and Director of Animal Training at Helen Woodward Animal Center says, "dog training is one important key for a happy pup, both now and in the future - and it's never too late to start".
• Never use negative reinforcement - it can confuse a dog and reinforce negative feelings, which can result in a poorly trained dog.
• Ensure your dog gets enough mental and physical stimulation through problem solving activities, scent work and exercise. Without this, dogs will become agitated and destructive, sometimes becoming a danger to themselves and others.

Organize verified vacation pet care

Dog safety is a top priority for pet parents when you’re with your dog, but have you considered how to keep your dog safe and happy when you’re away on vacation?

The unfamiliar environment of kennels and boarding can be overwhelming, stressful and lonely for dogs - that’s why vets agree pets are happier when looked after at home. So to keep your dog secure, happy and safe during vacation time, you could consider connecting with a pet sitter - take a look below to find out how it works.

Prevent dog aggression 

A key element to dog safety - along with regular training and socialization - is knowing exactly how to prevent dog aggression and dog bites. Take a look below for some tips on preventing dog aggression specifically.

• Socialize your dog from a young age - this will help your dog feel comfortable in a variety of situations, less threatened and therefore less likely to lash out.
• Always keep control of your dog using a lead, and teach basic commands from a young age.
• Avoid situations where you know your dog will be triggered - for example, if your dog has experienced a traumatic event, avoid repeating contexts that remind them of it, and see a dog behaviorist if the situation is unavoidable.
• Don’t let strangers touch your dog if your pup is particularly nervous around them, especially if you’re only at the beginning of socialization.
• Know your dog’s behavior - what’s normal, and when to retreat - understanding your dog’s body language is a great way to prevent accidents, bites and dog fights.

Keep your dog safe in all weather

Aside from preventing accidents, aggression and bites, another important aspect of dog safety is being prepared for all weather types. Find a few tips below on keeping your pooch safe and healthy through summer and winter.

Dog safety tips for summer

• Walk your dog in the early morning and late evening, avoiding the height of the day’s temperatures.
• Play with your dog inside if it’s too hot to go out and walk.
• Invest in a dog life jacket.
• Never leave your dog in a car.
• Ensure your dog stays hydrated with access to plenty of fresh water.
• Invest in cool mats or cool jackets to keep your pet cool.
• Encourage your dog to sit in the shade, rather than the sun.

Dog safety tips for winter

• Wash off any salt and grit after walkies.
• Invest in a dog coat.
• Keep your dog moving outside, and keep walks short if temperatures drop.
• Invest in visibility wear (like an LED dog collar) during dark winter walks.
• Watch out for slippery surfaces.
• Never allow your dog to walk across a frozen body of water.

Prevent a missing dog

Naturally, it’s a dog owner’s responsibility to keep dogs safe in the home, yard and when on walkies. Find a few tips below on ways to prevent a dog from going missing.

• If your dog has access to a yard, ensure it’s fully escape-proof, always locking gates and ensuring there aren’t any gaps in the fence.
• Before letting your dog run freely on walkies, practice recall in a fenced area, and only let them off once you’re confident with recall.
• Always keep your dog on a leash near roads.
• Put your dog on a leash if you suspect a distraction will call them away.
• Ensure your dog is microchipped (in the UK this is a legal requirement by 8 weeks of age) and ensure the contact details are up to date.
• Invest in an LED collar so that your pup can be seen at night.

Know the signs of illness

Of course, an important part of dog safety is keeping them healthy, so knowing the health issues your dog’s breed is prone to is always helpful, along with regular vet check ups. We advise further research and advice from a vet, but to get you started, here are a few common signs of illness in dogs.

• Reduced appetite
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Lethargy
• Shortness of breath
• Behavioral changes
• Pale gums
• Coughing
• Red eyes
• Hair loss and itchy skin
• Excessive licking
• Compulsive behaviors

Dog safety tips for pet sitters 

If you’re a pet sitter and you’re after ways to make sure the pooch in your care is 100% safe, take a look below for dog safety tips for dog sitters. And naturally, all of the above tips are applicable to you, too.

Food safety for dog sitters

Dog safety 101 for dog sitters is knowing what to feed the pooch in your care, so follow the meal plan set out by the dog’s owners, and don’t be tempted to treat them to something new.

Environmental hazards dog sitters should be aware of

Even though most homes are dog-friendly, pet sitters should still be clued up on potential environmental hazards. The following items either shouldn’t be found in the home at all, or must be securely stored out of reach or behind a door with a paw-proof latch.

• Poisonous plants (yucca, umbrella plants, and peace lilies, to name a few - you can visit the ASPCA for a full list).
• Cut flowers including tulips, carnations, daffodils, and chrysanthemums. 
• Small items such as safety pins, hair bands, dental floss, thread, and loose change that pose a choking hazard.
• Batteries, which can cause burns and poisoning if ingested by a dog.
• Plastic bags, which can cause asphyxiation. 
• Electrical cables - dogs love chewing on things they shouldn’t, and electric cables can give them quite the shock.
• Household goods such as detergents, fabric softeners, and cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals. 
• Toothpaste and mouthwash. 
• Medication - whether it’s prescribed for the dog or not. 
• Essential oils. 

As well as ensuring none of these hazards are within reach of the dog in your care, it’s important to clear up broken objects (like glass) immediately and turn appliances off after using them. 

Keep cupboards, windows, and toilet lids closed, and remember to keep furry friends away from areas you’re cleaning and put products out of reach after using them.

Outdoor safety for dog sitters 

Dog safety is just as important when you’re outside of the house, so here are a few things to avoid whether your furry friend’s playing in the garden or out on a walk. 

• Outdoor plants (including bluebells, rhododendrons, aloe vera, foxgloves, holly, and lily of the valley).
• Pesticides, weed killers, and fertilizers.
• Grass seeds, which can get stuck in a dog’s ear or coat and cause pain or infection.
• Prevent your pooch from drinking water from puddles or other stagnant water sources – they may be contaminated.

Also keep an eye out for extreme weather - high or low temperatures in particular can make dogs unwell.

Dog sitting safety tips

It’s important to be prepared for the worst, so here are a few things you’ll need to get sorted before the sit begins.

• Pet parents should provide you with a doggy first aid kit filled with non-stick bandages, medical tape, and an antibiotic spray designed for pups, among other things.
• Emergency contact information including details of the pet’s regular veterinarian and a neighbor or friend who lives in the area. Pet owners might also provide you with a phone number for the place they are staying in case you can’t get hold of them directly. 

So, now you’re all set to keep dogs safe, fancy the idea of visiting your next travel spot by pet sitting? Take a look below to find out how finding a house sit works.

Dog safety tips from dog owners and pet sitters

Explore a few bonus dog safety tips from pet owners and sitters based on their personal experiences with dogs, over on our community forum below.

• “Avoid giving pets on sits any human foods unless their people have specified them” - @Maggie8K
• “We have an Aussie named Trixie that runs to the house anytime she hears a bang. We usually bring a bed into our walk-in closet and she seems fine” - @CharitySitters
• “A pet life jacket is a great way to ensure added safety so you can enjoy your time in the sun with your pup” - @Samox24

Meet our veterinary expert, Holly

This article has been checked by veterinarian Holly Anne Hills BVM BVS BVMedSci. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Holly spent two years working as a farm animal vet. She then spent some time traveling and volunteering in India, working at neutering clinics and with injured street dogs. Holly now works in small animal practice, and balances this with writing, volunteering with the comms team at Vet Sustain, and she is also a marine mammal medic!

Useful resources

• 8 causes of dog sneezing
• Foods dogs can and can’t eat
• What to do when your dog is in heat