Winter Care for Dogs

Winter Care for Dogs

Dec 3, 2014 | Blog, Dog Care, Dog Care & Education

Winter is a fabulous time to take your dog out for a walk; the fresh air will do you both good. But as the mercury drops in the thermometer, certain health hazards are created that every dog owner needs to be aware of.

At The Way of the Dog, we do not aim to sensationalise issues or scaremonger. Our articles are focused on our experiences in dog world and informing dog owners of how best to maintain the health and wellbeing of their canine friend. This article is intended to inform you of possible risks to your dog’s health.

Dog Health Hazards in Winter

Anti-Freeze

A common winter related ailment in dogs is anti-freeze poisoning. Anti-freeze contains the toxin ethylene glycol, which is sweet and irresistible to dogs. They’ll lick up drips from leaking car coolant systems and brake systems or drink from contaminated puddles and other water sources.

It does not take a significant amount of ethylene glycol to cause fatal damage to a dog, as low as 2-3ml per pound of the dog’s weight.

Dog owners should:

  • NEVER decant anti-freeze into another container.
  • Store anti-freeze in a secure place with lids securely closed.
  • Check cars for leaks and if found get them fixed.
  • Check their driveways, parking spaces and garages for contamination.
  • Use a funnel when topping up anti-freeze to reduce spills.
  • Dispose of old/unused anti-freeze at an approved waste management facility.

Anti-freeze poisoning occurs in two phases. In the first phase, the animal typically appears lethargic, disoriented, uncoordinated and groggy. Symptoms usually appear 30 minutes to one hour after ingestion and can last for several hours.

The second phase, which can last up to three days, is characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers, kidney failure, coma and death.

For dogs exposed to antifreeze, the first few hours are critical. They should see a vet as soon as antifreeze ingestion is suspected.

Rock Salt

Rock salt used to grit roads and paths in winter can be a danger to dogs if they lick it from their paws or fur. Even small amounts of pure salt can be dangerous, but the exact quantities of salt in rock salt are variable. Most cases are a result of a dog licking it’s paws and fur after walking through a salted area. The salt irritates the skin and paws and the dog is simply attempting to remove the irritation.

Dog owners should:

  • Avoid using rock salt in areas their dogs walk in their own gardens.
  • Avoid heavily salted areas in public.
  • Rinse and dry their dog after winter walks (always rinse down the body and legs, pay attention to and in-between pads).
  • Be aware of excessive paw licking after a winter walk.

Ingestion can result in a high blood sodium concentration which can cause thirst, vomiting and lethargy, and in severe cases there is a risk of convulsions and kidney damage.

Any dog suspected to have ingested rock salt must be seen by a vet.

The Cold

Older dogs, small breed dogs, dogs with short fur and puppies can be especially sensitive to the cold weather. Dogs with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. In addition, all dogs can be susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia if conditions are cold enough and/or the length of exposure is long enough.

Dog owners should:

  • Assess the type and age of dog and it’s susceptibility to the cold by consulting a vet.
  • Purchase and use suitable protection based on this assessment.
  • Monitor their dog regularly when exercising them in cold weather.
  • NEVER leave your dog outside unsupervised without a heated shelter.

If your pet is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside quickly because they are showing signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is harder to detect, and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done.

If you suspect your dog has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your vet immediately.

Snow

Many dogs love a bit of snow. The mixture of curiosity and the sensations involved can lead many dogs to appear excited and exuberant. This maybe the case, but snow can also conceal a few doggy perils.

Whilst many of the risks posed by snow to a dog’s wellbeing are the result of the cold, there are a few extra points to consider.

Dog owners should:

  • Cut the hair between a dogs pads. These hairs trap snow that can ball into a small ice-cube nestled between the pads. If your dog refuses to move or appears lame on a snowy day, check pads first.
  • Remove snow and ice build up from a dog’s pads, legs and under carriage regularly to prevent it freezing to ice as this becomes painful.
  • If this snow build up becomes ice, remove with a warm (not hot) damp cloth.
  • Be aware of snow drifts, banks and cornices.
  • Monitor their dog regularly when exercising them in the snow.

If you suspect your dog has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your vet immediately.

Ice

When walking your dog, stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. Dogs will often attempt to walk on ice with no concept of the thickness of ice or there being water below. If they were to fall through the ice, some breeds of dog will succumb to the effects of the cold and then drown in a matter of seconds.

Dog owners should:

  • Avoid areas with frozen bodies of water.
  • If in the vicinity of a frozen body of water, keep your dog on a lead.
  • If your dog ventures onto a frozen body of water, coax them back without causing panic.
  • If your dog falls through ice, attempt to coax them back to land or use material nearby to provide an aid to exiting the water (buoyancy aids, a fallen branch, a fence panel, etc).
  • If you retrieve your dog, get them dry and warm as soon as possible.
  • NEVER enter the water to rescue your dog. More than 50 per cent of ice-related drownings involved an attempted rescue of another person or a dog (ROSPA).

If your dog has entered a frozen body of water and you suspect your dog has hypothermia or any other ailments, consult your vet immediately.

Enjoy the Winter Together

I know, it sounds like we’ve got our health and safety clipboard out and banned you and your dog having any fun together in the winter; this isn’t the case.

At The Way of the Dog we actively encourage the (at least) daily exercising of your dog, whatever the weather. Follow the points we’ve made and you will have minimised any risk to your dog’s health and wellbeing during one of the most spectacular times of the year.

Contribution by Heppiness
Image credits Scott Costello Flikr

Here Comes the Sun – Dogs Die in Hot Cars!

Here Comes the Sun – Dogs Die in Hot Cars!

May 17, 2014 | Blog, Dog Care, Dog Care & Education

It takes only a matter of minutes for you to lose your loving companion when left in the oven that could be your car!  The sun is out and it is beautiful, but the sun beating down on a parked vehicle with a dog trapped inside is likely to end in a horrendous death.  Depending upon the outside temperature it could take a matter of minutes before the inside of the vehicle is so hot that a dog will die an agonising and painful death.19382550_l

“Even on a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly soar to as high as 120 degrees. Shock sets in as the dog’s internal temperature rises, and death can occur in just 15 minutes. It’s a gruesome, terrifying way to die—dogs struggle to escape the vehicle, often salivating heavily, losing control of their bladder and bowels, and clawing the car windows so violently that their paws become bloodied.” (PETA, 2013)

Dogs-DieNow that the summer has arrived it is fitting that we remind ourselves of how dangerous the sun can be to our faithful companions.  There is no sense in taking chances, a window left open sufficiently to allow some air circulation will not save your dog if the temperature soars, dogs can still die with the window open.  Each summer people take risks believing that their dog will be safe only for the unthinkable to happen.  The RSPCA report that they receive over 6000 calls a year concerning distressed dogs left in cars.

Don't Cook Dog PosterIn 2011 the Dogs Today magazine launched a “Don’t Cook Your Dog” campaign urging dog owners to join.  The Way of the Dog would like to take the opportunity to remind people of this campaign but more importantly to remind people of the need to protect their dogs from the effects of the sun.  A dog can start to suffer in as little as two minutes when trapped in a hot car; this can lead to damaged organs, brain damage, and death.

Protect your dog from the sun and do not leave it in the car on any occasion, there is no safe time limit, the only safe place is outside the car.

Attached are some interesting articles that relate to dogs being left to die in cars.  There is also a poster attached that you can download and publicise courtesy of Dog’s Today magazine.

Related Articles:

http://www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/dontcookyourdog/

http://www.peta.org/blog/spread-word-dogs-die-hot-cars/

http://www.vetsonline.com/news/latest-headlines/veterinary-practices-urged-to-support-poster-campaign.html

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars

 

Enlisting a Trainer – One-to-One versus Group Training

Enlisting a Trainer – One-to-One versus Group Training

May 14, 2014 | Dog Training

In this blog we will focus on one-to-one training versus group training.  Both possess strengths and weaknesses; however at The Way of the Dog we feel that they are both very different approaches to training.  Many new dog owners enrol in group training from the outset because they are led to believe that this is the best and only way to socialise their dog, this is not the case and we will discuss socialisation in a separate blog.

iStock_000003222497MediumWe hold the view that one-to-one training supports a new dog owner to learn in private and at their own pace allowing them to become accustomed to unfamiliar training methods before moving into a group dynamic at the appropriate stage of training.  It supports uninterrupted training free from distraction and the desire to interact with other dogs, therefore enhancing the possibility of progression for both dog and handler.

Whilst group training can be very beneficial in teaching your dog how to behave when in the presence of other dogs, at The Way of the Dog we do not consider that it is the best way to commence your training.  Socialisation with other dogs is key to a dog’s successful development and whilst a group session can support this it is essential that this is managed carefully.  Many dogs are distracted in the group environment which is obvious considering the fact that the owner is unlikely to have much control at this stage.  When taking part in training of any kind for the first time many dog owners feel embarrassed, disorientated, hopeless, and uncoordinated.  When in a group environment these feelings are often intensified and may lead to group training becoming non-productive and in some cases damaging.

five dogsIf you want to get the best from a group class we recommend that you take part in a class that has a ratio of 6 dogs, 6 handlers, and a fully qualified dog training instructor.  This approach supports a healthy and manageable student to instructor relationship and will allow you to get the very best from the session.  You should expect during a 60 minute lesson; a proportion of individual attention, enough space to work in, and the ability to speak to and hear comments from the instructor.  It should be a stress free environment where dogs are carefully managed and prevented from being confrontational with other dogs.  In certain situations confrontation may be difficult to avoid, however it should be a rarity rather than the class norm.  Anything other than that described above then you should really consider the value and the quality of the training that you are receiving.

23060295_mlSo the choice is yours to make, should it be one-to-one training or should it be group training?  What you should perhaps ask yourself before making a choice is; “What do I want to achieve from my training?”  “Will my chosen route allow me to achieve this?”

Related Articles:

https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/will-train-dog/

https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/how-do-you-choose-a-trainer/

What is Socialisation?

How, when, and where will you train your dog?

How, when, and where will you train your dog?

May 13, 2014 | Blog, Dog Training

In a previous blog we discussed ‘How do you choose a trainer’ giving you things to consider when searching for a potential candidate to work with you and your dog.  Like many of today’s skills and services there are those that are enthusiasts, amateurs, or professionals, capable of offering different levels of service and proficiency.  To support you in identifying who-is-who The Way of the Dog will run a series of blogs to help you make informed choices about enlisting the services of reputable dog trainers.

iStock_000006816845Medium

One of the most important decisions to be made when taking ownership of a new puppy, or when re-homing a dog, is how, when, and where you will begin the dogs training.  Scientific evidence supports the fact that initial dog training should begin early and certainly during the first 6 months of a dog’s life as this will help shape the future long term behaviour of the dog.  Unfortunately, a large proportion of dog owners leave it to chance and often far beyond the 6 month period when the dog has become difficult before they seek assistance.  It is no coincidence many young dogs, who receive no formal training during the early months, are later abandoned, handed over to dog rescues, or are passed from home-to-home, during the period 6 months to 2 years.

Training a dog that is older than 6 months should not be a problem for a competent and qualified dog trainer.  It just means that it is likely to be more difficult, possibly more expensive, and certainly more time consuming for the dog owner during the initial stages of training.

So what should we consider before enlisting the services of a dog trainer?  During the coming weeks we will discuss specific aspects that may help you decide how to choose the right trainer for your needs.  Here are a few topics that we will discuss:

  •  ‘One-to-one training versus group training.’
  • ‘What constitutes a qualified dog training instructor?’
  • ‘Should training be conducted indoors or outdoors?’
  • ‘How much should dog training cost, price versus quality?’

If there are specific questions that you would like to raise relating to the sourcing of dog training please feel free to leave a comment and The Way of the Dog will consider including in future blogs.

Related Articles:

https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/how-do-you-choose-a-trainer/

 

Seb the Romanian Orphan

Seb the Romanian Orphan

Apr 6, 2014 | Case Studies

This is the study of Seb the Romanian Orphan.  Seb and his owners are currently engaged in a training and behaviour project with The Way of the Dog Ltd.  Raised on the streets of Romania Seb learnt to scavenge for food and fight for survival.  A feral dog is an entirely different prospect than taking on a young puppy from a reputable breeder.  Below is the story of how Seb found himself with a loving family from the UK.

In late 2011, a tour across mainland Europe with the band Midas Fall took us (Seb’s owners Liz and Rowan) to Romania for the first time.  The Romanian leg of the tour began in Cluj Napoca in the west, onto Lasi in the north east and finally to the capital Bucharest in the south.

Throughout our time in Romania we encountered thousands of stray animals; dogs and cats lined the streets of cities, towns and rural villages.  The animals waited outside shops, bars, restaurants and even public toilets to beg for food and affection from passers-by.

The pain and suffering of the countless malnourished and often injured stray animals was very difficult to absorb.  The experience was so far removed from anything we had ever seen before that it became almost surreal.

After arriving back in the UK we decided that on our next trip to Romania we would adopt a dog – that dog was to be Seb.  He came to us quite by accident; an unscheduled stop at a service station on the outskirts of Lasi was the moment it all began.  Pottering around by the automatic doors was a tiny black puppy; his fur was matted, he was smelly, flea-ridden, had an eye injury and was clearly in need of a good meal.  However, in spite of his desperate situation, Seb was extraordinarily affectionate, playful and trusting – we knew he was a keeper.

Seb 1

After scouting the area for other dogs, as he seemed very young to be alone, and checking with the service station attendant that he wasn’t someone’s mistreated pet, we decided to bring him home.  That night we drove to a hotel Brasov where Seb was treated to a bath, a hot meal and a soft bed by a roaring fire.

Seb 2The following day he was taken to a vet in Bucharest, where he was vaccinated, chipped and quarantined for three weeks before embarking on his journey to the UK, arranged with the help of Red Panda Romania.

Red Panda Romania is an animal charity based in Bucharest who work with various animal aid organisations across Europe.  Since the Romanian government issued a mass-cull of stray dogs in September 2013, Red Panda and other animal charities have worked tirelessly to stop dogs like Seb being slaughtered on the street or being left to die in ‘kill shelters’.  Of the dogs lucky enough to be saved the vast majority are adopted by people living in the UK.  Many of the adopters already have pets and frequently publish success stories showcasing how well the strays settle into family life.

In our case, Seb settled in very well with our other dogs and was comfortable in his new surroundings within a few days.  

Seb 4However, his harsh start in life had impacted him more than we had anticipated and it was clear that we’d need help raising him to reach his full potential.  A chance meeting with Shaun from The Way of the Dog led to us being taken on as clients and the next chapter of Seb’s story began.

In the next chapter of Seb’s story The Way of the Dog Ltd will explain how the relationship came together. 

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