City Living: How to Protect Your Pet

The urban lifestyle provides a lot of opportunities for dogs to get exercise, enjoy new experiences, and make friends. But in the dog-eat-dog world of the big city, your pooch needs a little extra protection. Here are some precautions for city slickers to consider while out on the town with their dog.

VITAL VACCINATIONS

Although the city's crowded atmosphere gives a dog the opportunity to meet new people and animals, she may also be introduced to viruses and bacteria. To protect their dog from diseases and infections, pet owners should speak to their veterinarian about which vaccines are recommended based on the dog's environment and lifestyle, suggests Louise Murray, DVM, DACVIM, director of medicine at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City and author of Vet Confidential: An Insider's Guide to Protecting Your Pet's Health.

Parvovirus is a common and extremely dangerous virus that is passed through infected stool. All dogs should be vaccinated against parvovirus. "With so many dogs in such a relatively small area, the chance of your dog coming in contact with another dog's stool is incredibly high in most major cities," says Dr. Murray.

Giardia is a parasitic infection common in areas with a large number of dogs in a small space. If your dog frequents places where dogs congregate, such as dog parks, dog runs, or doggy day care, Dr. Murray recommends that she get a fecal exam every three months to check for Giardia and other intestinal parasites, such as hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.

Heartworm and flea/tick preventives are a year-round necessity even if your pet spends her outdoor time in your handbag or rarely leaves the apartment. Fortunately, many heartworm preventives also protect pets against other intestinal parasites.

Distemper and kennel cough (Bordetella) vaccinations are also important for all city dogs.

SOCIAL SKILLS

Before taking a stroll through Central Park or window shopping on Rodeo Drive, ensure that your dog can handle the unpredictable metropolitan life. All dogs require proper socialization, ideally while they're puppies, so city folks should expose their dog to as many different sights, sounds, smells, and textures as possible.

"When hitting the city streets with a new dog or with a dog from the 'burbs, it's best to start out in the slow lane," says Katherine Miller, PhD, certified applied animal behaviorist and certified professional dog trainer with the ASPCA. "Start on quiet side streets or in a park rather than parading down Broadway. Make it easy for her to succeed, and try to end on a good note." This process should be done slowly, with frequent praise and food rewards.

STREET SMARTS

Once your dog is sufficiently vaccinated and properly socialized, she is almost ready to enjoy the bright lights of the big city. To ensure her safety while out on the streets, here are some basic training commands and skills that are important for her to learn:

Come, leave it, and no!—"If your dog gets away from you on a busy street or is otherwise in harm's way, you can save her life using these words," says Dr. Miller.

Sit and stay—These commands are important for when your dog has to stay still while waiting at a traffic light or standing in a large crowd of people.

Walking on a leash—Even the most well-trained dog must be kept on a leash while strolling the streets. The city is full of sudden noises and distractions that could send a dog running into traffic. "In the city, not having a dog on a leash is extremely dangerous because there is no room for error," says Dr. Murray. "No dog is immune to being suddenly attracted to or frightened by something, and just one second in the street is enough for your dog to be hit by a car."

Something else to keep in mind: While most dogs are friendly toward people and other animals, there is sometimes a bully in the bunch. To protect your dog against aggressive animals, always ask permission before approaching another dog.

COLLARS AND CHIPS

All dogs should have proper identification in the form of ID tags and a type of permanent identification, such as a microchip. This is especially important for city dogs. "In the city, if your dog gets loose, there is a good likelihood that somebody is going to find her. If your dog is microchipped, the chances that you'll get her back are maximized greatly," says Dr. Murray.

LEGAL BEAGLES

Each city has its own laws governing dog ownership. Make sure you are familiar with local laws so you don't find yourself in the doghouse. Most city dog laws require that you:

Have a dog license—The age at which a license is required varies among states. Generally, an annual license fee is also required, but your dog may be able to get a permanent license for a one-time fee if she is microchipped. License fees are typically less expensive for dogs who have been spayed or neutered. Speak to your veterinarian about how to obtain a license and for details on your state's licensing requirements.

Scoop the poop—Not only do most cities require that you pick up after your dog's waste, but some also encourage the public to report noncompliant owners, who can be given a large fine. Save yourself the cash, and clean up after your dog. Most pet stores sell supplies to make this process as simple as possible.

Vaccinate for rabies—While regular vaccinations are a must for all dogs, the law requires pet owners to stay up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Proof of vaccination must be displayed on the dog's collar, so be sure to obtain an updated rabies tag from your veterinarian at the time of the vaccination.

Keep the peace—Dogs are also subject to noise ordinances. To keep your neighbors from complaining if your dog has a lot to say, Dr. Miller recommends running a box fan near the door to your apartment. (Note: Barking is sometimes your dog's way of saying, "I'm bored!" See the box called "Environmental Stimulation" on page 11 to learn how to keep your pup's mind and body busy.)

As a general rule, it's important to use common sense and practice good etiquette while taking on the town with your pup. "It's really important for all dog owners to realize that they and their dogs are ambassadors for the world of dogs," explains Dr. Murray. "The more bad experiences that people have with dogs, whether it's a dog jumping up on them on the sidewalk or a dog's waste that someone steps in, the more apartment buildings and stores that are going to have a ‘no dogs allowed' policy."

Keeping your dog healthy and properly trained is the key to making city living safe and enjoyable for you, your dog, and the people you meet on the street.

Environmental Stimulation

Urbanites have busy lives and may find themselves out of their home for long periods of time. With no backyard, it may be difficult for cooped-up dogs to get the proper amount of exercise. To keep your dog happy and active, make sure you take her out for long, frequent walks. If this isn't a possibility, dog walkers or puppy day-care services are good and usually inexpensive options. "Not enough exercise is one of the most common reasons for misbehavior of the canine kind," says Dr. Miller. "Most dogs need 45 minutes of aerobic exercise every day."

To keep your dog's mind active while her body isn't, offer her interactive toys, such as puzzle feeders.

Saturday in the Dog Park

Off-leash dog parks are popping up all over nationwide and are a great way for city dogs to get much-needed socialization and exercise. Before letting your pooch loose, though, make sure the park is safe. The park should have separate "little dog" and "big dog" sections, and smaller dogs should never be taken into the other section.

"Before entering the dog park, watch the play for several minutes. Look closely for dogs who are not being well-supervised by their guardians, dog play that does not include taking of turns during chasing or wrestling, dogs trying to keep a toy away from other dogs, or a dog who is bullying other dogs. If you see any of these types of behaviors, it's probably best to leave and come back another time," says Dr. Miller.

Like any other outdoor activity, your dog should be closely supervised during her time at the dog park.