Every dog owner knows that as much as they love their canine companion there are several tricky situations which can arise as an integral part of being a pet parent.

Here we look at four scenarios and see how you can mitigate the risks while still enjoying a great life with your dog.

Your Dog Is Out of Control

In 2014 the (UK) Dangerous Dogs Act was tightened up in several ways. One area which changed was that the law can now be enforced on private property and additionally someone only needs to be in fear of your dog, not necessarily to have been bitten, for a prosecution to be made.

Our dogs can be exuberant at times and can scare a child or adult unwittingly even if they mean no harm. That’s why it’s important to always be in control of your dog. Keep them on a lead when you are walking and muzzle them if there is any risk of them biting another dog or person. If they are difficult to train it is also worth investing in obedience classes.

If the worst happens and your dog scares or bites someone you should seek expert legal advice from a solicitor experienced in dog law as soon as possible. With the ramifications of falling foul of the Dangerous Dogs Act including: a fine; prison sentence; and destruction of your dog, it is not worth taking any risks.

Your Dog is Ill or Involved in an Accident

Being a dog owner comes with its own set of expenses. We all expect to pay for food, bedding, toys and even routine vet visits for vaccinations and neutering. However, what we have no control over are the illnesses or accidents our dogs might encounter.  

Veterinary bills can quickly mount up for even minor illnesses and if your dog is unlucky enough to take a nasty tumble or experience a major disease, you can find yourself running up a bill for thousands of pounds. It’s important therefore to consider getting insurance early in your dog’s life, before they suffer from any ill health which could be then uninsurable. Pet insurance can vary quite widely in levels of cost and cover so research the area thoroughly and select what’s best for you and your budget. Some insurance will even include third party liability and this can be a huge benefit should your dog cause an accident.

Your Dog Needs Holiday Care

If you travel for business or want to go on vacation you will need to bear the expense of holiday care for your dog.

There are three choices available to you, either someone can care for your dog at home and this could be friends, family or a professional pet sitter. This will probably be less stressful for your dog than choosing the second option of a kennel, but it might be more of a headache for you as you must trust someone in your home. 

The third option, if you usually only travel within Europe, is to apply for a pet passport for your dog. Quarantine restrictions have now been lifted and as long as your dog is microchipped, health checked and vaccinated it is now a much more streamlined process. For people who travel regularly to a holiday home on the continent this can be the perfect solution.

Your Dog Makes a Fuss at Bath Time

To people who don’t own a dog this might seem a minor inconvenience but for dog owners, who know that muddy puddles and much worse are a magnet for their dog, this can be a major problem.

One solution is to take your dog to a grooming parlour regularly and to start this process while your dog is still a puppy. This will get him used to the process and less fearful of bathing and hair dryers. A dog whose coat is clipped is also usually easier to take care of; will need less grooming; and will shed less.

If the expense of this is too high, or your dog needs bathing virtually every other day, you will need to take more drastic measures at home. If you can set up an outdoor bath or even encourage your dog into the shower this can be two of the least stressful options. Just make sure you have plenty of towels to hand and be ready to take a shower yourself after your dog has taken a good shake to dry himself.