If you have pet-proofed your home, then you have taken very important steps to ensuring the safety of your pet. 

However, if you have not pet-proofed your yard, your dog could still be in danger. 

Here are a handful of things to look for to make sure that your dog stays safe in your own backyard.

For people with yards that are difficult to fence -- such as a yard that is bordered by a stream, or a yard in a community where fences are not allowed -- an invisible fence is an option that many dog owners consider.
 
Invisible fencing (also called a pet fence, a wireless invisible fence, electric invisible fence, or a fenceless boundary) is essentially a wire that is installed around the perimeter of the yard or play area of the pet. 

This wire has a radio signal and the dog wears a receiver collar.  If the dog gets too close to the wire boundary, the collar emits a noise.  If the dog gets closer, or attempts to cross the boundary, the dog receives a shock.  This “shock treatment” trains the animal to stay within its appointed area.  Not all invisible fences use a boundary wire that must be buried.  Some use a radio signal instead. 
 
While invisible fences solve many problems for dog owners, there is a question as to whether or not electric fences are right for dogs.

I don't normally write about such grim topics here, but I have a very tiny bit of personal experience with this one, so I feel compelled to share with you something that broke in the local news recently.

The point of this article: If you should ever have to put your dog to sleep, it is in your best interest to be present throughout the entire euthanization process.

Here's why...

It happened to me. With a 60 lb. Black Lab at 7 months of age. And the car was moving!

Lately, I've been seeing so many people riding around with their dogs in the car. Some have the windows completely down. Others have the windows partially rolled up, hoping to keep their dog from jumping out.

I'm here to tell you: A dog can fall out of a window that is half-way or even most of the way rolled up!

Here's my story...

This happened to me not too long ago...

On a car ride with our dog one Saturday afternoon, Jim went into a pet store to buy some dog treats -- while Destin and I waited in the car.

When Jim returned, I opened up the dog treat box (eager to share a couple of treats with the dog who had been "such a good boy" on this extra-long car ride) only to discover dozens of tiny gnats and insect-looking bugs hopping in and around the treats inside the box! (These were hard dog treats in a box, not the moist & meaty kind that require a stay-fresh sealed bag.)

Never before this had we ever stopped to think that dog food and dog treats do expire just like human foods do. (Shame on us.)

The date on this particular box of treats was several months past.

Good news: This page is updated daily!

So now you'll be one of the first to know the next time there's a recall on pet food or dog treats.

It's easier to stay on top of things if you only have to check one place to find all of the latest recalls -- any time, day or night, today or in the future. Wouldn't you agree?

Here's what you need to know...

The folks over at Pampered Pets do a great job of keeping dog owners up to date with the latest treats and trends that dogs of all shapes and sizes would enjoy all year long.

Just in time for Easter, they told us about these great doggie treats from the Kool Dog Kafe.

Check 'em out!...

I've written about this before...

Recently, I heard of another case of a dog getting its tongue caught in a paper shredder.

So now seems like as good a time as any to remind everyone of the truly horrific consequences that could result if your dog is allowed anywhere near your paper shredder.

See more photos and videos below...

See how a dog can escape from your home while you're at work...

Check out the video below...

I told you earlier about my friend's crazy (I mean lucky!) cat and her miraculous survival story.