If you plan on going it alone, which is what I do because companions are a pain most of the time. Be sure and level up the "Lone Wanderer" Perk. You can take a lot more damage and add up to 100 weight you can carry. Third perk is the best giving you 25% more damage. Of course you have to wait until lvl 40 for it.
http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Lone_Wanderer_%28perk%29
Dogmeat is really bad around traps.
http://i.imgur.com/6Z9PbRq.webm