How to Keep Your Morkie Safe from Harm in the Outdoors

Small dogs like Morkies are at risk of falling upon danger, especially in the outdoors. There are many ways they can be harmed, whether by predators, weather, or even people. Here are a few ideas to keep your Morkie safe from harm in the outdoors. 

Keep your Morkie safe from predators

 

Like squirrels and rabbits, small dogs sometimes fall prey to larger animals, such as predatory birds. Earlier this spring, we had several hawks hanging around our house for about a week. Although there are certain types of hawks that typically only prey on smaller animals, like chipmunks, you never know what might happen in the wrong situation. I started going outside with my Morkie, Mila, when we let her out. When the squirrels and small birds started to return to our yard, I relaxed a little, and now I just check on her every couple minutes while she's outside. In areas where there are other wild animals like bears, it may be a good idea to accompany your pets outside and, even better, keep them on a leash. 

Keep your Morkie safe from extreme temperatures

 

Dogs are susceptible to extreme temperatures, so it's especially important to keep them comfortable in the summer and winter. While Mila doesn't seem to mind going outside on a normal winter day, particularly cold, harsh weather can be fatal to a Morkie who is left outdoors for too long. When letting your pets outside on these days, consider keeping them warm with a doggy sweater. On hot, summer days, it's never a good idea to leave them outside unattended without shade or water. And, although it may seem obvious, it's never okay to leave your Morkie (or any other pet) in a vehicle on a hot day. Although it may seem nice outside, temperatures can quickly soar inside a car. 

Keep your Morkie safe from dog thieves

 

Unfortunately, there are people out there who look for dogs to steal and sell for money or even dogfighting (which, thankfully, isn't common with Morkies). To keep your Morkie safe from dog thieves, it's always a good idea to keep him or her on a leash while outdoors. Although we have a fenced-in yard, I tend to check on Mila every couple minutes while she is outside. And of course, never leave your pets alone in a vehicle or anywhere they may be at risk of being stolen.  

Tips to Keep Your Morkie Cool in the Summer

(c) Tonya Mickelson 2014

by Tonya Mickelson 

Your Morkie probably enjoys being outside in the summer as much as any dog. These small dogs are also prone to overheating on hot days, and we need to protect our pups on these days. My Morkie, Mila, loves running around in the yard when the weather is nice, but she tends to get hot easily. Here are some ways we keep our Morkie cool in the summer.  

Give your Morkie cool summer treats

Mila's favorite summer treat is frozen green beans. I don't feel guilty giving her two or three on a hot day, because I know they are healthy, and she gobbles them up in an instant. If you have a toy with a hole in the center that you can stuff with treats, place some peanut butter inside and freeze it for a few hours. Mila loves to lick the peanut butter out of the center. Another idea is to freeze healthy treats in an ice cube tray with some water or broth; the idea is that your Morkie can lick her way to the treat in the center as a way to keep cool in the summer. 

Keep your Morkie's hair cut short - but not too short

These dogs have hair that grows and needs to be trimmed every six weeks. It can be difficult to maintain a short haircut, whether you take your Morkie to the groomer (which can be costly) or do the grooming at home. We groom Mila's hair at home, and it's a several-hour-long job. However, summer is a good time to keep up on your pup's haircut. Just be sure not to trim too close; after all, dogs can get sunburn too. 

Leave your Morkie indoors on hot days

On the hottest summer days when you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, it may be best to keep your Morkie indoors for most of the day. If you do take her out, be sure to provide a shaded area where your pet can keep cool. Of course, place a dish of water where she can easily access it when needed. It is easy for dogs to get dehydrated on hot summer days, just as we can when we go for long periods of time without anything to drink.