How To Protect Your Farm Dog From Other Animals

Every pet owner should take the safety of their fur babies seriously. It's our responsibility to make sure that risks and hazards are neutralized so our pets' welfare is always taken care of.

On the farm, this responsibility can be a little more challenging. You can buy them toys to keep them distracted and out of trouble, feed them the best dog food for shedding dogs so they don't go looking for alternative food sources and give them lots of socialization time so they don't ever feel lonely, and they'll still find ways to encounter other animals that they will see as potential threats, prey or friends.

So what is a dog owner to do?

First off, if there are any wild animals in your area, it's important to learn more about them.

There are many websites that will educate you about the habits of different types of animals so that you can establish proper safety measures and keep your pets safe. Here are just some of the many animals that could be dangerous to your pets:

Snakes: Snakes could be dangerous to both pets and their owners. Snakes can be seen near water as well as in gardens, backyards and fields. Snakes are extremely adept at traveling short distances, and their speed allows them to hide and pounce on unsuspecting victims.
Raccoons: Raccoons can cause damage to your property by finding your garbage and scooting their way into your home or barn. If you don't have any type of wildlife proofing, a raccoon can damage your buildings, carry diseases and even attack people and pets.
Coyotes: If you live near forests, mountains and deserts, coyotes can be a problem. Coyotes can be found in many areas and are often active at night. They are very elusive and difficult to catch or see if you don’t take precautions.
Other Pets: Wild animals are not the only animals that can prey on or hurt your pet. Other domesticated animals, such as the neighbor’s dogs, cats and farm animals, can also misbehave or attack your dog. Farm animals that can get aggressive, like bulls or stallions, will need extra watching.

If you live on a farm, it’s best to choose a dog breed that can be trained to guard a huge area and protect other animals on the farm.

Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe from Other Animals

Prevention is the best way to keep your dog from falling prey to other animals. As a responsible pet owner, here’s what you can do:

1. Always Keep an Eye on Your Dog

Many dogs end up getting lost and there are many stories of abandoned dogs being found wandering the county and neighboring farms. The longer your pet lingers in unknown places, the more they'll be prone to attacks from other animals. To make sure your dog doesn’t run off under your watch, you must:

Make sure that you keep your dog supervised.
When taking your dog for a walk, never bring them out without a leash.
Train your dog to always come promptly when you call.
Make sure that any area that you take your dog into is fenced in. It also helps if there are plenty of people around to watch your dog if they start wandering.

2. Secure Your Home from Unwanted Animals

raccoon in hollow log - how to protect your farm dog from other animals

Make sure that you block out potential predators that might enter your home with a dog fence. For example, some raccoons and skunks have been known to attack pets and even people. These animals may attack your dog if they're protecting their young or if your dog starts chasing them.

To prevent raccoons from entering your yard, also keep your trash bins tightly closed. Avoid leaving human or dog food out because it may attract opossums, squirrels and raccoons.

It's also a good idea to have a safe area for your dog by building a fenced-in area for them outside. You'll want to make sure that your dog can run away from predators, but you'll also want to make sure that they can easily find their way back to the house when there's an aggressive animal around.

3. Keep Your Distance

You should also look into your dog's behaviour. How is their behaviour towards other dogs? For instance, some dogs are very friendly around children and other pets while some dogs are hostile to all. If your dog tends to become too excited around other pets or animals, it's best to keep your distance to prevent agitating them.

Whether your dog is a friendly animal or not, much of their safety around other animals will depend on how you train them. Even the friendliest dog can sometimes antagonize another animal by accident. Teaching your dog to reliably "leave it" and get away from another animal, whether that's a horse, another dog or an interesting looking snake, can literally save their lives.

4. Make Sure Your Dog Has Proper Identification

The best method to properly identify your dog is through microchipping, which must be done by a veterinarian. This is particularly helpful if an animal attacks your dog while they're lost and they have to be rushed to emergency care.

Aside from containing the name of the owner and address, the microchip also includes information about the vaccines and medical treatment that your dog has received in the past.

Takeaway

Pets are wonderful additions to your family. When you take care of them properly, you get affection and love in return. However, you need to be aware of the potential dangers that exist in your environment.

Dogs can be either curious or aggressive, and they can easily pick fights with pets and wild animals. To keep your dog safe, you must keep an eye on them and establish safe areas on your property that can ward off wild animals.

By Harry Williams

Harry Williams is a fence installer. He has a construction background and loves woodworking. Also, he is a pet owner and has a dog named Scott. He loves to play football and basketball. Harry also enjoys swimming and scuba diving.

Feature image: Helena Lopes; Image 1: zoosnow