How to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Arizona Desert

Arizona is home to many dog owners and beautiful places to visit, especially during the summer months. The season is an excellent time for your dog to be outside enjoying nature, walks, dog parks, and more. However, as wonderful as the desert landscape is, it does come with dangerous risks for your dog. True Canine’s tips on desert safety will teach you how to keep your dog safe at home and around the outside area.

7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe in Arizona’s Desert

1. Leash

Always keeping your dog on a leash is one of the best ways to protect it from desert dangers. Having your dog on a leash will keep it within a safe distance of you and allow you to control where it goes if a situation arises. Even when your dog is in the backyard, it is wise to have it leashed with you there if an unwanted critter, like a snake or scorpion, appears.

Having your dog on a safety leash while walking on trails and paths will prevent it from roaming into desert lands. Cacti and wild animals could hurt your dog if it is allowed to wander off without a leash. Purchase a leash you feel is comfortable for your dog to venture around but stay close enough to be safe.

2. Dog Parks

Another excellent way to know how to keep your dog safe in the desert is to find local dog parks to let your dog run and play in. Instead of going out into the wilderness with your dog, keep it nearby in community areas where other dogs play, and fences guard against unwanted wildlife. Your dog will enjoy the outside time, and you can be at peace about its safety in the desert.

3. Car

Cars can sound like a great place to leave your dog for a few minutes while you run into a store for an errand. However, the Arizona desert can be very dangerous when leaving your dog in the car. You may not realize just how quickly cars heat up at higher altitudes and desert temperatures. Even if the vehicle is cool when you leave it, it only takes a few minutes, turned off, to heat up and create a harmful situation for your dog. Arizona also has laws against leaving dogs in vehicles unattended. 

When learning best practices for desert safety, one suggestion is to leave your dog at home when running errands. Although having a partner tag along on the day’s tasks is fun, it is much easier to have peace of mind when returning home that your dog is safe from the extreme desert temperatures.

4. Sidewalks

Know how to keep your dog safe on the sidewalk by understanding the pros and cons. Sidewalks are the right place to walk your dog to keep it from sharp plants and wild animals. The con to sidewalks is that the pavement can become so hot in the desert heat and burn your puppy's paws. When thinking about taking your dog for a walk, either put on booties to protect their delicate paw pads or check the temperature of the pavement before venturing out.

5. Cool Spots to Sit

Shade and cool grass to let your dog rest in is necessary for desert safety for dogs. When your dog is outside, always have it in a place with plenty of shade. Tables, houses, trees, or rows of bushes provide great shade for dogs to rest under and breathe cooler air without overheating. Keep shady areas available for your dog's health and comfort, whether it is in the backyard, at a dog park, or out and about.

6. Water

Having water on hand for your dog is vital to their safety in the desert climate. Dogs have natural ways of cooling down, such as finding shade, resting, and panting, but being hydrated is also a primary way for dogs to stay cool and well. Keep an eye on your dog’s drinking intake so it doesn’t drink too much water or show signs of an illness. Dogs can overdrink and hurt their kidneys, so know how to keep your dog safe by providing adequate amounts multiple times a day. 

Always have water available to your dog outside in the backyard. Take a canteen of water when you are out and about to ensure your dog is hydrated and safe.

7. Training

There are several commands to train your dog on that will help with keeping them safe. Commands such as ‘Stop,’ ‘Come,’ and ‘Leave it’ are essential to ensure your dog’s safety in the desert.  Training your canine with these commands will help prevent it from getting attacked by wildlife, wandering off, or picking up something harmful. 

Teaching your dog proper leash and walking behaviors will give you the confidence to know you can take your dog on an enjoyable walk around the block. Socializing your dog with other canines is good for it to learn appropriate behaviors at dog parks. 

Train Your Dog to Be Safe in the Summer with True Canine

Whether you are new to the Arizona desert or new to dog owning, learning how to keep your dog safe in the desert is essential. If you are looking for professional trainers to help you get your dog ready for the summer months, sign your dog up with True Canine’s expert trainers to teach your dog important commands that will keep it away from harm and safe in the desert. 

Whether your dog needs training with leash walking, socializing with other dogs, or learning simple commands, our trainers are happy to provide one-on-one instruction with your dog. We believe all dog breeds, sizes, ages, and behaviors are trainable with great communication, positive reinforcement, and appropriate correction. 

True Canine offers training sessions at your home or board and train programs. Our individualized training plans will work with your dog’s specific behavior needs. Call our trainers today to discuss desert safety training for your dog.