So you want to start to hike with your dog. Hiking with your dog can be a fascinating way to explore America’s great outdoors from a canine perspective. Some things to consider:

Dog’s Health

Hiking can be a wonderful preventative for any number of physical and behavioral disorders. One in every three dogs is overweight and running up trails and leaping through arroyos is great exercise to help keep pounds off. Hiking can also relieve boredom in a dog’s routine and calm dogs prone to destructive habits. And hiking with your dog strengthens the overall owner/dog bond.

Breed of Dog

All dogs enjoy the new scents and sights of a trail. But some dogs are better suited to hiking than others. If you don’t as yet have a hiking companion, select a breed that matches your interests. Do you look forward to an entire afternoon’s hiking? You’ll need a dog bred to keep up with such a pace, such as a retriever or a spaniel. Is a half-hour enough walking for you? It may not be for an energetic dog like a border collie. If you already have a hiking friend, tailor your plans to his abilities.

Conditioning

Just like humans, dogs need to be acclimated to the task at hand. An inactive dog cannot be expected to bounce from the easy chair in the den to complete a 3-hour hike. You must also be physically able to restrain your dog if confronted with distractions on the trail (like a scampering squirrel or a pack of joggers). Have your dog checked by a veterinarian before significantly increasing her activity level.

Weather

Heat and sun do dogs no favors. With no sweat glands and only panting available to disperse body heat, dogs are much more susceptible to heat stroke than we are. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright red tongue are signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. Always carry enough water for your hike. Even days that don’t seem too warm can cause discomfort in dark-coated dogs if the sun is shining brightly. In the wintertime, temperatures at higher elevations can drop well below zero in only a few minutes. In cold weather, short-coated breeds may require additional attention.

Altitude

If you are hiking in the mountains and you and your dog are not acclimated to the altitude, take it easy, and allow plenty of time for rest, so your bodies can get used to the thinner air up here.

Bears

The huge, ferocious bear ripping through a campsite tent in our imaginations most likely refers to the grizzly bear. These bears are long extinct in most places in the Continental United States, but we do have the considerably smaller black bear. This bear is notoriously shy and hikers can spend a lifetime in these woods and never see one. Even so, always check a ranger station for reported bear activity before starting a wilderness hike. If you see a black bear, stop and stay calm while keeping your dog close - bears do not like dogs. Do not shout and quiet your dog from barking. Do not run, you cannot outrun a bear and you don’t want to look like prey. The bear will likely leave the area, but if not, talk in a low tone of voice and slowly back away keeping your dog by your side. If you decide to camp someplace, make sure to hang anything edible in a tree away from your tent at least 10 feet above the ground and 5 feet away from the tree trunk.

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are found in every state in America. It is not a particularly aggressive animal but you should treat any rattlesnake with respect and keep your distance. A rattler’s colors may vary but they are recognized by the namesake rattle on the tail and a diamond-shaped head. Unless cornered or teased by humans, a rattlesnake will crawl away and avoid striking. Avoid rocky areas, crevasses, caves, and areas where the ground cover (weed or grass) prevents you from seeing the ground. These are all places where snakes are likely to hang out.If you hear a nearby rattle, stop immediately and hold your dog back. Identify where the snake is and slowly back away.

If you or your dog is bitten, do not panic. Put ice against the bite, tie a rope or piece of clothing around the leg above the wound (but not so tight you shut off blood circulation) and get to a hospital or veterinarian with as little physical movement as possible. In many cases a rattlesnake might give “dry bites” where no poison is injected, but you should always check with a doctor after a bite even if you feel fine or your dog looks fine. Keep in mind that snakes fill an important function in the ecosystem; without them we would drown in mice and other rodents, so there is no reason to harm them.

If you hike where rattlesnakes are common you can look for the services of trainers who will get your dog “snake-broke” for life.

Cougars

These elusive big cats are extremely shy and are rarely seen. Cougars are fearful of humans but dogs don’t frighten them. Still, they might view smaller dogs as prey - one more reason to always keep your dog close on the trail.

Ticks

Ticks can carry Lyme disease, HGE (Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis) and Babesiosis, all nasty stuff you want to avoid. To help combat,avoid deep grass and bushes. Tick repellant for you and your dog is a good idea, and always check your dog’s fur carefully before heading home. Ticks can be hard to spot on dogs with dark or long fur, but a simple comb can reveal any intruders. If you or your dog gets bitten, immediately remove the tick. Use your fingers if you have to. Try to grab the tick as close to the head as possible and pull straight out. Do not apply any oil before or after removal. If any part of the tick remains, or if swelling/itching or other complications develop, contact your doctor/vet.

Other Trail Hazards

Dogs won’t get poison ivy but they can transfer it to you. Some trails are littered with small pieces of broken glass that can slice a dog’s paws. Nasty thorns and thistles can also blanket trails that we in shoes may never notice. Tumbleweeds are also very thorny and prickly in their natural state, and even more so when they are dried and blowing. They can stick in a dog’s coat, and cut fingers as we try to extract them.

Water

Surface water, including fast-flowing streams, is likely to be infested with a microscopic protozoa called Giardia, waiting to wreck havoc on a dog’s (and human’s) intestinal system. The most common symptom is crippling diarrhea. Algae, pollutants and contaminants can all be in streams, ponds and puddles. If possible, carry fresh water for your dog on the trail - your dog can even learn to drink happily from a squirt bottle.

copyright 2006

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including the
widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we
produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at
hikewithyourdog.com hikewithyourdog.com During the warm months I lead canine hikes as
tour leader for hikewithyourdog.com tours, leading packs of dogs and humans on
day and overnight trips. My lead dog is Katie, a German Shepherd-Border Collie mix,
who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to swim in all the great
waters of North America - web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies Blog/Katies Quest.html web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies Blog/Katies Quest.html I am currently building a hikewithyourdog.com tours trailer to use on our expeditions and its progress can be viewed at web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Teardrop Trailer/Building A Tour Trailer.html web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Teardrop Trailer/Building A Tour Trailer.html

Tags: squirt

Related posts

• Your Cat Training Should NOT Be Corporal Punishment (0)
• You Should Teach Your Puppy Proper Chewing Behavior (0)
• Why Punishment Might Be Causing More Dog Behavior Problems Than It Solves (0)
• Why Do Cats Scratch? (0)
• Why Do Cats Scratch? (0)

Tags: squirt

In every cat lover’s life, there usually is one cat that stands out for being a real handful. We love all our cats just the same, but how do you tame the kitty with a larger-than-life-personality who is Dennis the Menace in feline form? Having a five-year old pile of highly active white fluff named Beau, I know all too well what it’s like to live with a lively cat. He is the most dear, sweet and loving cat, but when he’s bad, he’s like a flaming cat-rocket blasting off into space! I’ve learned to co-exist well with my beautiful wild cat. He is my pride and joy, but I watch him constantly to make sure he’s not getting into trouble. Sort of like my friend’s two-year old toddler, that gets into everything. Beau loves to explore and can get himself into trouble quickly if not attended to. Here’s some ideas on how to make your home more wildcat-friendly.

Keep anything dangerous out of reach

The kitchen is full of danger for a cat who knows no boundaries and wants to get up on the counter. Food cooking on the stove, knives and cleaning products are just a few hazards to keep out of kitty’s way. I bought a new oven, and Beau walked over to it (it wasn’t on) and with a flick of the paw, opened its door and walked inside! I got out my trusty squirt bottle of water and sprayed him. He hasn’t been near the oven since, but to make sure, I always look to see where he’s at if I’m baking or cooking anything. And all my knives are in holders, instead of being left out even momentarily. It only takes a second for a cat to get into something, so it pays to be preventative, no matter what room of the house you’re in.

Is kitty bored? Find him something to do

Cats are best trained by suggestion. A professional animal trainer once said this, and it’s true. If your cat is focused on something he shouldn’t be, walk across the room and show him a toy or give him catnip. Just distract his mind to think about something else. If that doesn’t work, a squirt bottle filled with water always does the trick for me. Show him that you don’t want him doing whatever he’s doing but always do it with love. Water is harmless. And, it’s been very effective at keeping Beau off of my stereo speakers, drip coffeemaker, shelves, and flower arrangements (he eats flowers if given the chance, whether they’re real or not.) Never spank or yell at your cat, because these things really don’t accomplish more than scaring him.

Give your cat lots of love

When Beau is getting over-feisty, I hold and brush him. He wiggles like crazy at first, but then he realizes that he’s being brushed and mellows out. Next thing I know, he’s a purring, amorphous blob of happiness in my lap. Skritch, brush, pet, and play with your cat to show him attention and love. He will appreciate it and afterwards, he may be worn out enough to go rest someplace. I play with Beau right before bedtime, to tire him out, so that he’ll sleep through the night. Before doing this, he used to take lights out as the time to sing at the top of his lungs and rocket around the apartment in hyper-speed mode. Now, he curls up at my feet and goes to sleep when I do. Thank goodness.

If kitty picks on another cat, give him a time-out

When he’s feeling really feisty, Beau will walk over to my 15-year old Blackie and whack him upside the head for no good reason. If I see this, I separate the two of them immediately. Don’t let Mr.Engergy beat up on your other cats. When he’s overly charged up and getting too destructive, put him in a closed off room where there’s nothing to damage, or a cat carrier for ten minutes. When I’ve done this, Beau goes into “rest” mode and goes to sleep. Then, I open the door, and he’s cool as a cucumber as he walks out, as if nothing ever happened.

Get kitty his own cat tree (kitty condo)

Cat trees are a great place for your active cat to keep himself occupied. They can be bought fairly inexpensively on Ebay or directly from manufacturers who have websites online. Buying a cat tree at a pet store is another option, but from my experience, they are more costly that way. Get a tall one, then sprinkle it with catnip and show kitty his new furniture. It’s amazing how fast cats catch on to using it. I sent my parents’ cat a kitty condo, too, and he helped my dad assemble it. Plus, the cardboard box it came in was an added bonus (cats love cardboard boxes - the smaller, the better.) A cat tree satisfies your cat’s need to scratch, gives him something to climb on, and a nice, high place to sleep if he wants.

Just like people, cats come in many personalities and activity levels. Love your cat no matter how much of a rascal he can be. Beau is my constant companion, and one of the most loving pets I’ve ever had the pleasure to own. I don’t regret getting him for one minute, and have learned patience and resourcefulness as a result. His behavior has slowly mellowed in the two years I’ve known him, and he’s learned quite a bit from me, too. It just takes time, love…and maybe a few headache meds for me here and there. But, he’s worth every bit of it in the end.

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: cafepress.com/twopurringcats cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. Besides handling numerous assignments in the US, she has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

Tags: squirt

Related posts

• Your Cat Training Should NOT Be Corporal Punishment (0)
• You Should Teach Your Puppy Proper Chewing Behavior (0)
• Why Punishment Might Be Causing More Dog Behavior Problems Than It Solves (0)
• Why Do Cats Scratch? (0)
• Why Do Cats Scratch? (0)

Tags: squirt

There is a dreadful substance inside your dog’s butt that’s
aching to get out, and unless you rise to this disgusting
challenge, consequences can be dire.

It’s called expressing your dog, and it is a chore so foul
that it was recently featured on the Discovery Channel’s
“Dirty Jobs.” Actually, “dirty” hardly does the situation
justice.

If your dog is chewing and biting “back there” or dragging
its rump across the ground, chances are he is in need of a
little expression - of his sphincter glands, that is.

Dogs have special glands that secrete an especially - shall
we say - fragrant substance into their poop. It’s what
makes a dog’s poop her own, and it’s what dogs sniff for
when they are investigating other dogs’ rears or their
droppings.

Problems occur when these glands get clogged up. The musky
fluid begins to collect, and the dogs begin to experience
irritating pressure and pain - like a turbo case of
hemorrhoids.

Usually, the dog is able to express - or squeeze out - some
of the fluid and get the glands flowing again. If your dog
has ever been inexplicably stinky - almost like he has
gotten into rotten fish or something, then chances are
you’ve experienced a do-it-yourself expression job.

If you’re lucky, the sacred event took place outside, but
just as often the residue ends up saturating carpet or
expensive furniture. Yum!

Things get worse if the dog is unable to alleviate the
problem, and the situation goes unchecked. As you might
imagine, this can be an excruciating experience for your
dog. Finally, you will most likely be saddled with an
expensive vet bill, and your dog will end up needing a most
uncomfortable surgical procedure.

Getting Down to Dirty Business

All of this can be easily avoided by a little human
intervention. Expressing a dog is a simple enough procedure
- it’s the mental challenge that is most difficult to
overcome. Vile fluids squirting from a dog’s butt is
certainly not a mental image you’d want to hold during
meditation or anything.

Honestly, it’s really not bad. The liquid smells like fish,
not …uh …you know. It’s mostly clear liquid, and it rinses
pretty easily. It doesn’t have the staying power of the
substance that cats spray (which is truly disgusting!).

Finding the glands is easy. If the butt hole itself is the
center of a clock, the two glands sit at the four and eight
o’clock positions about two inches from the “center.” From
the outside (and it is strongly suggested you stay outside,
even though vets usually venture in), they feel like kidney
beans, although distended glands can get significantly
larger.

Before you dive in, I can hardly stress enough the
importance of pointing the dog’s bottom away from you and
anything else you care about. Also, make sure you have
something to wash the dog and your surroundings down after
the procedure. If it’s warm, take the dog outside; if it’s
cold, a shower stall that has a rinse hose is a good option.

I can recommend two expressing techniques. First, the
upward thrust: position your thumb and forefinger each under
one gland; push in to make sure your digits are firmly fixed
under each; then give a strong lift, squeezing the glands
upward. If you are successful, usually you will be rewarded
with a good squirt - about the same as a squirt gun.
Sometimes the fluid gets sludgy, in which case a small black
worm of crud will emerge. Repeat a few times as required to
make sure you’ve emptied both glands thoroughly.

If this technique does not produce the desired result, then
you should try the more direct approach: pinching each gland
separately, squeezing both sides toward the middle. Expect
similar results as when using the first technique.

Do it Yourself?

If you are too squeamish to contemplate perpetrating such an
abomination, you will be happy to know that professional
help is available. Most groomers are willing to render this
value-added service for a small consideration during a
regular grooming; failing that, your local vet can certainly
perform the ritual, but usually at a higher fee.

I find, however, that my own dogs (three pugs) seem to
appreciate my keeping this very personal need of theirs
within the confines of the family. When I first started
doing the expression thing myself, I wore what amounted to a
home-made hazmat suit, but over the years my resolve has
stiffened quite a bit.

Nowadays, I generally don’t even bother with gloves. I just
take the dogs outside next to the hose and aim them away. A
quick squirt and rinse and the job’s done. No big deal,
really. It’s a small price to pay for a happy, comfortable
dog - who seem to appreciate me all the more for it.

Randal Breaux runs the

Tags: groom, squirt

Related posts

• To Declaw or Not to Declaw? (0)
• Sprayed By a Skunk - Now What? (0)
• Shih Tzu Grooming - Techniques Of Ear Cleaning And Nail Trimming (0)
• How to Stop Your Dog Digging Behavior (0)
• Grooming Your Collie Dog (0)

Tags: groom, squirt