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To stay safe on a spring dog walk with your Biewer Terrier, you need to carefully choose your walking location. Avoid walks where fleas, ticks, snails, and slugs will be in abundance. Make sure you know what plants are dangerous to dogs, and always be prepared for the ever-changing spring weather.
There’s nothing better than going on a spring dog walk with your Biewer Terrier. With warmer weather just around the corner, now is the time to get prepared for spring so you can be sure your Biewer Terrier is safe when out and about in the sun.
Fleas and ticks like to play on spring dog walks
Two of the worst things about a spring dog walk are fleas and ticks.
Flea and tick season usually starts in March and comes to end in autumn. During this period, your Biewer Terrier is at risk of being struck by these horrible pests when they’re enjoying a stroll.
There are several ways that dogs get fleas and ticks on a walk.
First of all, let’s talk fleas. Fleas typically live in soil and warm, moist areas. This means your dog is likely to come into contact with fleas during a spring walk in the park or woods.
Fleas also live on wild animals that you may encounter, such as squirrels, foxes, birds, and rabbits.
Encouraging your Biewer Terrier to make friends on a walk also puts them at risk of fleas, as the other pooch may be infected with them. It’s even possible for you to pass fleas onto your dog. During your walk, fleas may attach themselves to your clothing, such as your socks. All it takes is for your Biewer Terrier to brush up against you and the fleas will make a home in your Biewer Terrier’s colorful coat.
And then there are ticks. Ticks are very similar to fleas in that they hide out in moist, shady areas. These pesky creatures will sit and wait for your dog to walk by. Then, they’ll pounce and jump on to them.
Ticks are blood-suckers which can make dogs very ill. They can pass Lyme disease onto your Biewer Terrier and may make them anemic.
Flea & tick prevention
You don’t have to avoid the forest, woods, or parks with your dog this spring, though. To protect your dog from ticks, always check your pooch over for any sign of them when you return home from a walk. If you do spot a tick, follow this tick removal advice from The Humane Society of the United States.
Regular bathing and grooming will help to remove fleas from your dog. You can also use a flea and tick collar to prevent them from latching on to your Biewer.
Make sure you have a decent lead for your dog too. This will ensure you can keep your dog close during your walk so that they avoid bushes, woodland debris, and similar places where ticks are fleas are likely to be lurking.
Don’t forget to speak to your dog’s vet too about regular flea and tick prevention medication. You can usually get spot-on treatments, as well as tablets.
Be prepared for unpredictable weather
Spring is one of the most unpredictable times of the year weather-wise. You can have rain, sun, hailstones, storms, and blistering heat all in one day.
Make sure you’re always prepared for the weather when you take your Biewer Terrier on a walk this spring. Important items to take with you are:
- Water and portable dog bowl
- Dog sunscreen
- Waterproof dog jacket
- A towel (for drying off your Biewer Terrier after a spring shower)
- Dog lead
Slugs and snails are dangerous to dogs
It’s not just fleas and ticks that are dangerous to dogs on spring walks; slugs are snails are problematic pests too.
Slugs and snails are most likely to come out on a damp spring day. They can carry lungworm which can be passed on to dogs if they eat a slug or snail that’s infected with it. Even licking an infected slug or snail can pass lungworm on to your Biewer Terrier.
Ladybird Plant Care advises that a dog with lungworm may show these symptoms:
- Coughing
- Breathing difficulties
- Change in daily routine. For example, not wanting to go for their normal walk.
- Excessive bleeding or bruising
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Seizures
If your Biewer Terrier shows any signs of lungworm, seek immediate advice and treatment from their vet.
The best thing you can do is avoid slugs and snails as much as possible when on a walk this spring. On days where it’s wet and damp, avoid the woods and parks.
If you do venture further, keep your dog on a lead so you can keep a close eye on them and steer them away from any slugs and snails that you come across.
Be mindful of spring flowers on your dog walks
There’s nothing better than seeing colorful flowers on a spring dog walk. Although, these flowers are joyous to us humans, many of them are dangerous for dogs.
As per the Blue Cross, spring flowers that are harmful to dogs include:
- Amaryllis
- Bluebells
- Buttercups
- Crocuses
- Cyclamen (root)
- Daffodils
- Elderberry
- Foxglove
- Hyacinth
- Lupin
- Onion
- Rhododendron and azalea
- Rhubarb
- Sweetpea
- Tulips
- Wild cherry tree
- Yew
Stay away from lakes and ponds
Lakes and ponds are buzzing with wildlife during spring. But there are lots of things lurking in lakes and ponds that, as a dog owner, you need to be wary of on a spring dog walk. These are:
- Blue/green algae which can be poisonous if ingested by dogs.
- Frogs and toads can potentially poison dogs.
- River rats may attack small dogs, such as Biewer Terriers.
- Pike and other fish may try to attack small dogs.
- The current of the water being too strong for your Biewer Terrier.
Blue/green algae is said to be one of the most lethal things in lakes and ponds. It can sadly kill dogs in less than 45 minutes So, make sure you keep your Biewer Terrier away from lakes and ponds on any walk you go on this spring.
Top safety tips for spring dog walks
Here’s how to stay safe on a spring dog walk this spring:
- As walks get longer, consider investing in a new lead for your Biewer Terrier. A retractable lead for small dogs is ideal if you want to give your dog freedom but ensure safety.
- Make sure you’ve got adequate pet insurance for your Biewer Terrier. This will give you peace of mind should your dog fall sick on a walk.
- Check that your contact details on your dog’s microchip and ID tag are correct and up to date. This will help to reunite you if you get separated.
- Both you and your dog should wear reflective clothing if you’re going for a walk at dusk or dawn. You can also get light up dog leads and collars.
