Dog Safety • Emergency Drills • Multi-Dog Homes • Evacuation Training
If your smoke alarm went off at 2:00 in the morning, how quickly could you get every dog out of your house?
Not in theory.
I'm asking whether you could actually do it.
Where are the leashes?
Would your dog come when called?
What if he's frightened by the alarm and hides under the bed?
What if you have three dogs, but only two hands?
And what happens if two of those dogs cannot safely be together?
Perhaps you live in a hurricane-prone area and you've already prepared a bag with food, medications, water, and important records.
That's terrific.
But having supplies ready doesn't necessarily mean you have a workable evacuation plan.
You need to practice getting the dogs safely out of the house, under control, and into an appropriate secure location.
We practice fire drills with children. Schools practice them. Businesses practice them.
Why wouldn't we practice with our dogs?
Especially when our dogs may become frightened, hide, run, freeze, or react in ways we don't expect during an emergency.
An emergency plan you haven't practiced is still an untested plan.
The time to discover that your dog won't approach the front door, refuses to enter the car, or cannot be handled safely around your other dogs is not while smoke is filling the hallway.
Train the skills now. Practice the sequence. Find the problems before there's an emergency.
Emergency Preparation and Emergency Drills Are Two Different Things
Most pet parents think about emergency preparation in terms of supplies.
Food.
Water.
Medications.
Medical records.
Identification.
Leashes.
And an evacuation destination.
All important.
But there is another side to emergency preparation: the actual behavior and logistics of getting everyone to safety.
Can your dog respond to you when something unusual happens?
Is he comfortable being handled quickly?
Will he enter a carrier or crate?
Can he be safely secured in the vehicle?
Can someone else manage him if you're not home?
And do you have a way to move every animal without creating another emergency?
That's what this article is about.
Start With Your Complete Emergency Evacuation Plan
I've already covered emergency supplies, identification, food, medical records, medications, evacuation routes, and the essentials of a properly stocked dog go-bag.
Read: Emergency Evacuation Plan for Your Dog: Be Prepared for Hurricanes, Fires, and Unexpected Travel.
This article builds on that preparation by teaching you how to practice the actual evacuation with your dog.
Why Dogs May Behave Differently During an Emergency
Here's something we cannot afford to overlook.
The dog who comes running every time you open a treat bag may behave very differently when a smoke alarm is sounding.
Unexpected noises, unfamiliar people, flashing lights, smoke, wind, water, and sudden changes in household activity may create fear or confusion.
Some dogs run toward their people.
Others hide.
Some become frantic and difficult to restrain.
Others freeze.
And a dog who normally tolerates handling may resist when frightened, painful, or overwhelmed.
That doesn't necessarily mean your previous training was worthless.
It means the circumstances have changed dramatically.
And behaviors that are reliable in familiar, quiet situations aren't automatically reliable during an emergency.
That's why practice matters.
Start With the Emergency Skills Your Dog Already Knows
Before creating a complicated drill, look at the foundational skills you've already taught.
Many of them have direct applications to emergency safety.
COME
If your dog is in another room or somewhere in the yard, reliable recall may help you bring him back without chasing.
But recall is a trained behavior, not a guarantee under extreme fear. For a dog who may hide or panic, you also need a practical containment and retrieval plan.
PLACE
A familiar Place assignment can help a suitable dog remain in a predictable location while you organize a routine or prepare equipment.
But Place is not secure physical containment, especially for a frightened dog or one with a history of aggression.
SIT/STAY
Waiting briefly while you attach a leash, open an appropriate door, or prepare the vehicle can reduce ordinary chaos.
During an actual life-threatening emergency, however, immediate safe movement takes priority over perfect obedience.
WATCH ME
For a dog who remains responsive, a familiar attention cue may help him focus on you rather than becoming distracted by nearby activity.
CRATE
A dog who comfortably enters a carrier or crate on cue may be easier to secure for transportation or temporary housing.
However, crate training is not a substitute for planning how the crate itself will be moved or whether it is appropriate during the specific emergency.
THIS WAY
A familiar directional cue can be helpful when guiding your dog away from a distraction or toward a safer route.
All these skills provide useful foundations.
But emergency drills are where we connect the individual behaviors into a practical sequence.
How to Build Your First Emergency Safety Drill
Start simple.
Do not set off smoke alarms, create artificial chaos, or frighten your dog to see how he reacts.
For training purposes, we want a calm rehearsal of the actions we would need to take.
Think of it as a practice evacuation without the actual emergency.
Choose a Primary Exit
Identify the safest normal exit from the areas where your dog spends most of his time.
Then identify a secondary exit in case the primary one becomes unavailable.
Make sure both routes are suitable for your dog's size, mobility, and handling needs.
For actual fire safety, follow your local fire department's recommendations and never choose a route through smoke, flames, or other immediate hazards.
Identify Where Your Dog Will Be
Does your dog normally sleep in your bedroom?
In a crate?
In another room?
Or does he have free access to the house?
Begin the drill from the dog's normal location.
That's where you'd actually need to locate and secure him.
Practice Getting Control of the Dog
Call your dog using an established cue, or calmly approach him if that's the more appropriate method.
Practice attaching the leash or guiding him into a carrier.
Keep the experience positive and manageable.
For a dog with handling or fear concerns, the individual skills may require separate preparation before adding them to a full drill.
Move Toward the Designated Exit
Guide the dog along the planned route.
Practice moving through doorways without bolting.
If the dog is accustomed to waiting for release at doors, use the familiar routine when safe and appropriate.
But don't create unnecessary delays simply to rehearse obedience commands.
Move to a Secure Assembly Location
Choose a location where the dog can be safely contained after exiting.
That might be a vehicle, secure carrier, fenced area away from danger, or another appropriate location.
For real emergencies, assembly locations must also be outside the hazard zone.
Practice securing the dog so he cannot escape while you're handling other responsibilities.
Practice the Backup Route
Once the primary route becomes familiar, repeat the exercise using an alternative exit.
You may discover that a door is difficult to open while managing the dog, that the route is too narrow for a carrier, or that the dog hesitates at an unfamiliar threshold.
Those are exactly the problems we want to discover now.
Review the Drill
What worked?
Where did you lose time?
Was the leash accessible?
Did the dog hesitate?
Could you manage the doors?
Did you have a suitable place to secure the dog once outside?
Make changes and practice again.
Multi-Dog Homes: One of the Biggest Emergency Challenges
Now let's talk about multiple dogs.
Because this becomes much more complicated when you have two, three, four, or more dogs to manage.
And I don't want anybody assuming that because their dogs normally get along, they'll automatically cooperate during a stressful emergency.
Imagine trying to get three excited dogs out the door while the smoke alarm is sounding.
One is jumping.
Another is barking.
One doesn't want to get into the vehicle.
And the front door is standing open.
That's a situation where poor planning can turn dangerous very quickly.
Every dog needs an assigned handling and containment plan.
Know How Many Dogs One Person Can Actually Manage
Let's be practical.
Can you safely manage three leashes?
Can you load one dog while maintaining physical control of the others?
What happens if one becomes frightened and pulls away?
And could the plan still work if your spouse or another family member isn't home?
If the answer is no, then the plan needs another approach.
Perhaps separate secure carriers.
Different handling sequences.
Another responsible adult.
Or a different layout for access to the dogs.
The objective is to move everyone as safely as practical without creating unnecessary opportunities for escape or conflict.
Crate-and-Rotate Households Need a Different Emergency Plan
This was the central concern of my original K9Coach fire-drills article.
Some families live with dogs who cannot safely interact.
Perhaps there has been fighting.
Maybe resource guarding.
Or serious dog-to-dog aggression.
And the household uses crate-and-rotate routines to prevent contact.
That's not something you can simply abandon during an emergency.
Imagine having two dogs who have fought seriously in the past.
One sleeps in the bedroom.
Another is secured elsewhere.
Normally everything works because their movement is carefully managed.
But what happens when the smoke alarm sounds?
Can you move both dogs without allowing them into the same space?
What if only one person is home?
And where will you secure them once outside?
If your dogs cannot safely be together, your evacuation plan must maintain physical separation wherever possible.
What I Want You to Plan
- Individual equipment: Each dog has an appropriately fitted leash, harness, and suitable carrier or containment equipment.
- Designated handling: Know who is responsible for each dog when more than one adult is available.
- Separate movement: Practice routes and transitions that avoid bringing incompatible dogs face-to-face.
- Secure containment: Determine where each dog can be safely secured after evacuation.
- Vehicle separation: Decide how dogs who cannot safely interact will travel without physical contact.
- Backup plan: Consider what is realistically possible if the person who normally manages the dogs is unavailable.
- Emergency responders: Make essential handling risks known to responders without delaying human evacuation.
And here's an important distinction.
A verbal Stay, Place, or Down command is not a reliable physical barrier between dogs with a known history of serious fighting.
We need secure separation.
Not wishful thinking.
For crate-and-rotate homes, the normal safety system must be part of the emergency plan.
Don't assume two dogs who cannot safely share the living room will suddenly tolerate one another because you're evacuating.
Plan how to move, contain, and transport them separately. Practice each part under safe, controlled conditions.
What if One Person Is Home With Several Dogs?
This deserves its own rehearsal.
Maybe you and your spouse normally divide the responsibilities.
One handles the larger dogs.
The other handles the smaller ones.
But emergencies don't always happen when everyone is home.
What happens if you're alone?
Can you safely access each dog?
How many carriers can you manage?
Can you move one dog without another escaping?
Are there secure areas where dogs can remain temporarily contained during a controlled drill?
These are practical questions with consequences.
For high-risk households, I strongly recommend an individualized safety plan built around the actual property, dogs, handling abilities, and available people.
And I want to be clear: in an active fire or other immediately life-threatening emergency, human evacuation comes first. Never re-enter a burning building to retrieve an animal. Tell responding firefighters where the animals are and any handling or aggression concerns.
Practice Car Loading Before an Emergency
Here's another situation that can derail an otherwise excellent evacuation plan.
You've successfully secured your dog.
You've reached the vehicle.
But he refuses to get in.
Perhaps he doesn't like car rides.
Maybe he's unfamiliar with a travel crate.
Or perhaps he's a large senior dog who physically cannot climb into the vehicle without assistance.
Those are all issues we can address in advance.
What Should You Practice?
- Approaching the parked vehicle calmly.
- Entering the vehicle or travel crate willingly when physically able.
- Accepting appropriate assistance or a ramp if needed.
- Being secured in a suitable travel restraint.
- Remaining comfortable while doors are opened and closed.
- Exiting only when safely secured and directed.
Practice with the vehicle parked safely, away from traffic, and with appropriate ventilation. Never leave dogs unattended in a vehicle where temperature, ventilation, or escape could become dangerous.
And for a multi-dog household, practice the actual loading sequence you expect to use.
If your dogs need separate carriers or compartments, set those up and confirm they fit before the emergency.
What if Your Dog Hides When Frightened?
Some dogs run toward the door when startled.
Others disappear under a bed, into a closet, behind furniture, or into another difficult-to-access area.
And that can create a serious problem during a time-sensitive evacuation.
Start by identifying your dog's usual hiding locations.
Then consider whether those locations are accessible.
Do you know how to safely reach the dog?
Will he allow you to approach?
Could he bite out of fear?
Can he be guided into a carrier?
If the dog has a significant fear response, practice calm handling and cooperative movement outside an emergency.
Don't deliberately frighten him so you can rehearse retrieving him from hiding.
And don't rely on recall alone if he's known to become unresponsive when terrified.
Fire Alarms: Train Without Frightening the Dog
Smoke detectors and fire alarms can be extremely distressing for some dogs.
And dogs with sound sensitivities may become frightened by relatively ordinary alarms.
But I don't want pet parents deliberately activating a deafening alarm inside the home to conduct a dog-training exercise.
Instead, rehearse the evacuation sequence calmly.
If appropriate, introduce low-volume recordings of relevant sounds as part of a gradual, positive sound-familiarity exercise.
Increase difficulty only while the dog remains comfortable.
For a dog with significant sound phobia, use an individualized behavior plan rather than pushing exposure.
And remember that a recording cannot fully reproduce the emotional and environmental conditions of a real fire.
The primary objective is a familiar, practical handling sequence—not creating realistic panic.
Nighttime Evacuation Drills
Emergencies don't wait until everybody is awake, dressed, and ready.
A fire may begin overnight.
Storm damage may occur while the household is sleeping.
And an urgent evacuation may happen before anyone has had time to organize equipment.
So where does your dog sleep?
Where are the leashes at night?
Can you reach the carrier?
Do you have a flashlight?
Is the exit path clear?
And can you secure your dog without turning on every light in the house?
Practice a calm evening drill with normal room lighting reduced to a safe level. Use a flashlight where appropriate, but don't create dangerous obstacles or unnecessary distress.
You'll quickly discover whether your nighttime arrangement actually works.
Practice With the Person Who May Be Caring for Your Dogs
What if an emergency happens while you're away?
Perhaps a pet sitter is caring for the dogs.
Or a family member.
Or someone who isn't familiar with your normal routines.
Do they know which dog is which?
Where the leashes and carriers are kept?
Which dogs must remain separated?
What cues the dogs understand?
And what to do if a dog refuses to cooperate?
A written plan is useful.
But an actual walkthrough may reveal problems the written instructions don't cover.
Show the caregiver where the equipment is located and how the dogs are normally managed.
For complex multi-dog situations, practice safe, ordinary handling with them before leaving the dogs in their care.
And do not expect an untrained sitter to physically manage a dog with a serious bite risk.
For more on choosing a suitable caregiver, see Choosing a Great Pet Sitter and the boarding-preparation material in the Training Library.
What About Senior Dogs and Dogs With Physical Limitations?
This is something I want you paying particular attention to.
Perhaps your senior dog cannot manage stairs.
Maybe he has arthritis, a previous CCL injury, neurological limitations, or difficulty walking across slippery flooring.
Perhaps you have a very large dog who cannot be lifted easily.
Those physical limitations need to be part of the evacuation plan.
How will you help him move?
Can he use a ramp?
Does he need a suitable support harness?
Are there stairs between his sleeping location and the nearest exit?
Would a different sleeping location improve evacuation access?
And can the person normally responsible for him provide the necessary assistance?
Practice suitable mobility assistance in advance.
For medically fragile dogs, discuss safe movement techniques and equipment with the veterinarian or rehabilitation professional involved in their care.
Don't discover during an emergency that your fifty-pound senior dog cannot be moved the way you expected.
Emergency Drills for Dogs With Seizures or Medical Needs
For dogs requiring specific medications, medical equipment, or consistent schedules, an evacuation introduces another layer of concern.
I'm particularly mindful of seizure dogs whose medication timing matters.
In an evacuation, routine may be disrupted.
Travel may take longer than expected.
And the caregiver may not be the person who normally manages the dog's care.
That is why medical preparation and behavior drills need to work together.
Practice locating and securing the dog.
Practice loading into the vehicle.
And make sure the necessary medications and written instructions are included in the existing emergency-preparation plan.
But do not administer additional medication, change doses, or attempt unfamiliar treatment simply because the situation is stressful.
Follow the dog's established veterinary emergency plan.
For detailed medication, food, identification, and go-bag considerations, refer to Emergency Evacuation Plans for Your Dog.
Five Practical Safety Drills to Practice
You don't need to make every session a complete evacuation.
In fact, smaller exercises are often more useful because they allow you to develop the skills individually.
Drill 1: Find and Secure
Goal: Locate your dog and attach a leash or guide him into an appropriate carrier.
- Begin with your dog in a familiar, comfortable room.
- Use his normal recall or handling cue.
- Secure him with the usual equipment.
- Reward cooperative behavior.
- Repeat from different safe rooms and locations.
For a dog who is fearful or difficult to handle, work on the underlying cooperative-care skills before progressing.
Drill 2: Exit and Contain
Goal: Move the dog through a doorway and into a safe, secure location.
- Attach the leash or secure the dog in a carrier.
- Move through the designated exit.
- Guide the dog toward the planned assembly point.
- Secure the dog appropriately.
- Return to the house and repeat using another safe route.
Don't practice near active traffic, hazardous conditions, or unsecured areas where the dog could escape.
Drill 3: Vehicle Loading
Goal: Load the dog into the vehicle without chasing, struggling, or unsafe lifting.
- Approach the parked vehicle with the dog safely controlled.
- Use the familiar loading cue.
- Help the dog enter using a suitable ramp or assistance when necessary.
- Secure him in an appropriate restraint or carrier.
- Practice a calm, controlled unloading.
For multiple dogs, practice the order and physical separation required for your household.
Drill 4: Backup Handler
Goal: Confirm another responsible person can carry out the plan.
- Have the backup person locate the leash and equipment.
- Practice the dog's familiar handling sequence under supervision.
- Walk the planned exit route.
- Locate the outdoor containment arrangement.
- Review any behavior or medical safety restrictions.
Do not use this exercise to test an inexperienced person with a dangerous dog. High-risk handling requires appropriate professional planning.
Drill 5: Multi-Dog Separation
Goal: Rehearse safe movement of dogs who must remain physically separated.
- Identify each dog's secure starting location.
- Verify that doors, gates, crates, or other barriers are correctly secured.
- Rehearse moving one dog through an appropriate route while the others remain safely contained.
- Practice moving that dog into a separate secure destination.
- Review how the next dog can be moved without contact.
For households with serious aggression histories, use an individualized plan rather than attempting an improvised multi-dog drill.
Write Down the Handling Plan
Here's another thing I recommend.
Don't keep the entire emergency process in your head.
Write it down.
Not a fifty-page document nobody will read.
A clear, practical summary of the actual sequence.
Especially in households with multiple dogs.
| Planning Question | What to Document |
|---|---|
| Where is each dog normally located? | Sleeping area, crate, room, or other usual location. |
| Who is the primary handler? | Person responsible for that dog when available. |
| Who is the backup? | Another responsible person familiar with the plan. |
| What equipment is needed? | Leash, harness, carrier, support equipment, or suitable restraint. |
| What is the exit route? | Primary route and alternate route. |
| Where is the dog secured outside? | Suitable vehicle compartment, carrier, or safe assembly area. |
| Are there handling risks? | Fear, aggression, escape behavior, mobility issues, or confinement distress. |
| Can the dogs be together? | Clear rules for dogs requiring physical separation. |
| What if the usual handler is absent? | Alternative steps and emergency contact arrangements. |
Keep a copy somewhere accessible to household members and appropriate caregivers.
And review it whenever your household changes.
Don't Forget the Doors and Gates
One of the biggest practical risks during an evacuation is escape.
People are moving quickly.
Doors are open.
Someone is carrying equipment.
Another person is trying to load the car.
And a frightened dog may suddenly bolt.
That's why I want dogs accustomed to having leashes attached and being guided through doors.
But I also want physical controls that do not rely solely on obedience.
Use appropriate leashes, carriers, gates, or other secure equipment.
And verify that collars and harnesses fit well enough to prevent escape without creating unnecessary discomfort or injury.
For a fearful dog with an escape history, discuss suitable equipment and management with a qualified professional.
What if a Dog Cannot Be Reached During a Real Fire?
Here's the hard part.
There may be circumstances where your dog is hiding in an area you cannot safely access.
Or where fire, smoke, flooding, structural damage, or another hazard prevents you from reaching him.
No preparation can guarantee a safe rescue in every emergency.
And I never want someone placing themselves or their family in life-threatening danger by entering or re-entering an unsafe building.
Get yourself and other people to safety.
Call emergency services.
Tell responders how many animals are inside, their likely locations, and any known handling or aggression concerns.
Do not re-enter until emergency responders confirm it is safe.
Preparation improves your options. It does not justify unsafe rescue attempts.
How Often Should You Practice?
I prefer short, regular practice rather than one elaborate drill that never gets repeated.
You might incorporate simple recall, leash attachment, crate entry, and car loading into ordinary training sessions.
Then periodically rehearse the complete evacuation sequence.
I would also review the plan whenever something meaningful changes.
Perhaps you adopt another dog.
Move to a different house.
Change sleeping arrangements.
Have a dog recover from surgery.
Begin a crate-and-rotate system.
Or discover that your senior dog can no longer manage the stairs.
The emergency plan needs to reflect the dogs and household you have today.
Not the ones you had three years ago.
When the Drill Reveals a Problem
That's not necessarily bad news.
That's the entire point of practicing.
Maybe you discover that the travel crate doesn't fit in the car.
Or one dog refuses to enter it.
Perhaps your other dog becomes frantic when you move the first dog through the hallway.
Maybe you realize that the backup caregiver cannot manage all three dogs safely.
Those are issues we can work on before a crisis.
Break the problem into smaller pieces.
Teach the missing behavior.
Change the equipment.
Adjust the handling sequence.
Or develop a more appropriate containment plan.
Then practice again.
And if a dog is becoming increasingly frightened or aggressive during the rehearsal, stop the exercise and evaluate the situation rather than pushing through.
Emergency Readiness Checklist
Training and Handling
- My dog can be safely located and secured in normal conditions.
- He has practiced moving through the primary exit.
- We have practiced the alternate exit.
- He can be safely loaded into our vehicle or appropriate carrier.
- We have a plan for fear, hiding, or refusal to move.
Multi-Dog Households
- Each dog has suitable handling equipment.
- Each dog has an assigned movement and containment plan.
- We know what to do if only one adult is home.
- Dogs who cannot safely interact have appropriate physical separation.
- Vehicle loading and containment have been rehearsed.
People and Backup Care
- Household members know the exit routes.
- We have identified a safe outdoor assembly location.
- Backup caregivers know where equipment is kept.
- Emergency handling limitations are documented.
- We know when to stop and allow emergency responders to take over.
Emergency Preparation
- Our go-bag and medical records are accessible.
- Identification and microchip information are current.
- Medications and feeding needs are documented.
- We have identified suitable evacuation destinations.
- We've reviewed the complete emergency evacuation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I practice fire drills with my dog?
Yes. Calm evacuation rehearsals can help you identify problems with leashes, handling, doors, carriers, and safe routes before an actual emergency. Avoid deliberately frightening the dog or activating loud alarms as a training test.
What if my dog is afraid of the smoke alarm?
Practice the evacuation sequence separately from the sound. For significant sound sensitivity, consider gradual sound-familiarity work or an individualized behavior plan. Do not force repeated high-volume exposure.
What if I have several dogs?
Develop a handling and containment plan for each dog, including a backup for when fewer adults are home. Practice the sequence in a safe environment.
What if my dogs don't get along?
Maintain appropriate physical separation in the plan. Do not rely on verbal commands to prevent contact between dogs with a serious aggression history. Individualized planning may be necessary.
Should I practice loading my dog into the car?
Absolutely. A dog who refuses the vehicle or cannot safely enter it can make evacuation much more difficult. Practice suitable loading and restraint while conditions are calm.
Can I teach an older dog emergency skills?
Yes, but consider mobility, pain, hearing, vision, stamina, and any medical limitations. Older dogs may need different equipment or handling arrangements.
Should I keep a leash by every door?
Having accessible equipment at planned exit locations may be useful, but choose a setup appropriate to your home, household members, and dog. Ensure supplies remain accessible without creating clutter or obstacles.
What if my dog hides during an actual emergency?
Use your established safe handling plan if conditions permit. Never remain in or re-enter a life-threatening environment to search. Inform emergency responders of the dog's likely location.
Do I still need a go-bag?
Yes. Behavioral drills and supplies address different parts of readiness. See the separate emergency evacuation article for identification, food, medical, and travel preparations.
The Real Test of Your Emergency Plan
Here's what I want you thinking about.
You can have every supply imaginable packed and ready.
Food.
Water.
Medications.
Crates.
Leashes.
Medical records.
And a list of pet-friendly hotels.
That's wonderful preparation.
But can you actually get your dogs out of the house?
Can you manage them safely?
Can you keep incompatible dogs separated?
Can you load them into the car?
And can someone else execute the plan if you're not available?
Those are the questions we answer through practice.
Not theory.
Not wishful thinking.
And not assuming that our dogs will somehow understand an emergency just because we do.
Practice before you need it.
Find the problems.
Teach the missing skills.
Make the necessary adjustments.
And periodically rehearse the plan as the household changes.
If the fire alarm sounded tonight, could you safely get every dog out?
That's the question worth answering now.
Especially in homes with multiple dogs, seniors, medically fragile dogs, escape risks, or dogs who must be kept physically separated.
Don't just prepare a go-bag. Practice getting everyone safely out the door.
Does Your Household Need a More Specific Safety Plan?
Some households have challenges that go well beyond ordinary evacuation preparation.
Multiple dogs who cannot safely interact. Dogs with significant aggression. Seniors with mobility limitations. Dogs who panic during confinement. Or medically complex dogs who need consistent care.
My behavior and wellness work considers the entire situation—history, physical health, emotional state, environment, household routines, and the practical ability to manage the dogs safely.
Every behavior case begins with an initial evaluation to determine the appropriate next steps.
Let's identify the weak points in your household safety arrangements before an emergency exposes them.
Tell Me About Your DogsEducational and Safety Information: Practice drills only in safe conditions. Do not intentionally create hazards or distress to simulate an emergency. During an actual fire, flood, or other dangerous event, prioritize human safety and follow emergency responders' instructions. Never enter or re-enter an unsafe structure to retrieve animals. High-risk aggression cases and medically fragile dogs may require individualized planning.