LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Paws |
by Joy Freedman |
There's Some Real Dogs at the Beach
Summer at the beach with your beautiful brunette. Those bright brown eyes, the way she prances through the sand, all the ladies look at her as you stroll by, when you say jump she says "how high?" Well, at least for a tennis ball or a Frisbee. Chocolate lab not withstanding, Delaware is one of those rare places of parks, beaches and great trails to enjoy the day with a two and/or four legged companion. All the rules and regulations can be found at www.Rehoboth.com. The site is a great resource for when/where dogs are allowed. Always bring an extra leash (in case of breakage), plenty of water, poop bags, and a K9 first aid kit in your backpack. I have seen too many crab-claw, fish hook, and sand-in-eye accidents that could have been treated before serious injury took place. Keep in mind ticks and mosquitoes are out everywhere, common dog meds such as Advantix and Frontline will kill fleas, but do not protect against ticks. Even the Lyme vaccine Coco just received will only lesson the severity of possible Lyme Disease. It is not prevention! That being said, have a safe fabulous summer with your dog and keep those questions coming! Q: Our Border collie never stops, and is obsessed with her disc. Last summer she was treated for heat stroke, because she wouldn't stop. We are so worried this summer. What can we do? A: Most Border collies are obsessed, or fixated on something. They were bred for a very specific job, so they will seek out what they feel gives them the most "purpose." There are several things you can do. Mix it up, buy her a soccer ball, and some other toys she can control, it is important for her to mentally, as well as physically, tire herself. Play in a well shaded area, before you go out to play wet her down with the hose, or a cool towel. If you have a backyard, purchase a kiddy pool and fill it with cool water and put it in the shade. Shaving her or giving her a summer cut is ideal! Try to sense her limits, take her inside and give her a Frosty Paw, or freeze her favorite chewy. There is a great product on the market known as Chilly buddy, it is a cooling vest made just for cases like yours. I have seen it in action; it is worth the $40 or so, as it cools your pet for up to two hours. I am sure that beats the vet bills and anxiety! Below are the signs to look for and what to do if you see signs of heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is one of the leading killers of dogs. If a dog has it once they are more susceptible to it. Symptoms include increased rapid panting, salivating, acting unbalanced (drunken), collapsing, etc. If you even think your pet is too hot, remove them from the heat, spray with cool water as well as giving them plenty to drink, and wet their paws, as this is a big source of relieving heat. Use rubbing alcohol on the paws, and ears if you have it. Do not use any more than half a pint as it can be toxic if ingested. If your dog's temp is above 104, continue the cooling process and get him to the vet as soon as possible. Complications from heat stroke can show up days later in kidney and liver function issues. Remember to consult your vet before starting any training regimen.Joy Freedman is a Dog Behaviorist who does the popular "Ask the trainer" column on radio and for Baltimore Dog magazine, and now for Letters! She has worked with Cesar Milan and will be teaching monthly seminars in Rehoboth while working on her first book this summer! Submit your dog behavior questions to Askthetrainer@4Pawspetservices.com |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 06 May 30, 2008 |