Why Leash Your Dog? 4 Solid Reasons To Keep Your Pet Safe

From unruly drivers to lost pets, the question as to why leash your dog remains an important one.

From unruly drivers to lost pets, the question as to why leash your dog remains an important one.

As loving dog owners, we want our four-legged friends to experience some of the freedoms we get to enjoy day after day.

If you’ve trained your dog to “come” or “heel” at your side on long walks around the neighborhood, you might be tempted to forego using a leash entirely.

Besides, your dog already roams freely in your home or backyard and you trust that they’ll somehow manage to keep themselves out of harm’s way.

So what’s the big deal if you decide that little Charlie or Bella has “graduated” to an advanced, well-trained pooch and can accompany you to most places without a leash?

Or better yet, why leash your dog at all?

Well, Loving Dog Owner, the below 4 solid reasons to keep your pet safe will show you just how critical a leash is to ensure your pet’s well-being.

Also, you’ll realize that no matter how well-trained or savvy your pooch may be, there are plenty of dangers beyond the walls and comforts of your home that’ll challenge even the smartest of breeds.

1. Traffic

There’s a reason why many U.S. States and cities around the world require that pet owners keep their furry friends on a leash.

Each year, more than 1.2 million dogs are hit by cars in the United States alone: a stark number to consider, especially when most of these cases are preventable.

In light of dangerous traffic and reckless drivers, the question as to why leash your dog is pretty self-evident.

2. Diseases

Keeping your dog on a leash can help prevent the spread of diseases like Parvo and Distemper. By leading your dog along the sidewalk or roadside, you can keep them from sniffing other animal’s droppings.

What’s more, if your dog’s prone to scavenging (ie. sniffing-out and eating garbage that’s carelessly strewn over sidewalks and gutters), it’s increasingly likely that they’ll contract a stomach virus or an upset tummy.

But that’s not the worst of it. Scavenging can lead to a much-dreaded emergency trip to the Vet, as sharp bones, nails and even toothpicks can splinter one of your dog’s internal organs.

Suddenly, why leash your dog doesn’t sound so bad, right? Especially when you consider this life-threatening possibility.

3. Lost Pets

So, let’s say that you’ve trained Charlie to ignore all inbound sounds when you’re both hanging out outdoors.

Honking horns, exploding car mufflers and other distractions simply don’t phase him, which makes you a proud trainer and Charlie a flawless pet.

Keep in mind, however, that scary, unfamiliar sounds are few and far in between. And that, for the sake of training, these are not easy to replicate at home.

Fireworks, for instance, are notorious for displacing pets from their homes with their loud “booms!” and “bangs!”

In fact, this animal shelter has reported losing about 400 pets on the week of July Fourth alone.

This goes to show that, contrary to your own belief system, your pets aren’t immune to all external factors, no matter how “flawless” you might think they are.

4. Predators

Yet another reason why leashes are commonly referred to as “Your Pet’s Lifeline.”

With the extraordinary amount of big cats being kept across private homes in America and around the world (think lions and tigers), not to mention an ever-growing presence of wily creatures prowling your neighborhood at night (think coyotes and foxes), the question as to why leash your dog shouldn’t be a question in the slightest.

But if you need further elaboration, we can certainly put this into perspective:

This list, for example, breaks down the top 10 animals that attack pets, some of which you might not even suspect as predators (including squirrels!)

By keeping your dog on a leash you can protect your four-legged friend better than if you allow them to roam freely.

The latter, especially when lacking proper supervision, can lead to a hefty bill from your Vet, or much worse: a life-threatening condition.