Dogs can also suffer injuries or get sick from a number of diseases, and it can happen at times when a veterinarian is not available and you haven’t found out where the nearest emergency animal clinic is located. Since your dog is a dear member of your family, you want to save your dog’s life, but are you prepared to deal with such emergencies?

A life-threatening emergency situation is always frightening and stressing both for the victim and for the helpers. And when the victim is a dog who can’t tell you what happened and where it is hurting, the situation becomes even more difficult to deal with. The best help is to be prepared for an emergency by knowing about the more common dog emergencies.

Below are 3 tips for dealing with dog emergencies:

1. Caring for Wounds.

A dog can get bleeding wounds in several ways: By fighting with other animals or by (mainly traffic) accidents. So knowing how to stop a wound from bleeding the dog to death is useful knowledge: Apply a clean piece of cloth to the wound and keep it there for at least 5 minutes, - if possible tape the cloth to the wound. Don’t take the cloth away, since that would probably make the wound start bleeding again. If it is bleeding through the cloth, find another clean piece of cloth and put it firmly around the first piece of cloth. Using hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the bleeding wound is not a good idea in this case, since it will slow the clotting of the blood and lead to a larger loss of blood. The clotting of the blood in the wound is nature’s way of stopping the bleeding, so it is important not to disturb it.

2. Poisons in the Mouth?

Another common dog emergency situation is that your doggie has got something in his mouth, which is poisonous to him, and he may even have swallowed some of it. Some amphibians like toads, newts and the like excrete poisons on their skin (to keep other animals from eating them!) and if it gets into a dog’s mouth it can become dangerous if it is left there or worse: if it is swallowed. The dog will show that something is wrong with its mouth by drooling and wiping it while whining. You must quickly rinse the dog’s mouth with clean water until you feel that it has been cleaned of the poison. If you don’t have a hose at hand, it may be easier to pour water in his mouth if he is lying down on the side. And you can prevent him from drinking the water by keeping his mouth open until the rinse is finished. It may be difficult to keep his mouth open all the time but since his life may be at stake you must be firm with him and - if necessary - use available materials to keep his mouth open.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten something poisonous, it is important that he is made to vomit the poison if he doesn’t do it by himself. This does not apply if you know that your dog has swallowed for example a caustic liquid (like “drain cleaner”). In that case it would be better to give him some acid (like vinegar), so that the caustic liquid doesn’t have to pass his gullet another time. Likewise if he has been swallowing acid: try to give him something that can neutralize the acid, like magnesia or chalk for that matter.

3. Choking

Because dogs love to feel things in their mouths, choking can be a common (and fatal) hazard. Apart from foreign objects, allergic reactions can make your dog’s throat swell to a point where he can’t breathe.

If the dog is unconscious, you will have to act quickly. First you can try to push out whatever is in his throat by pushing his belly just below the ribs with one hand, while supporting his back with your leg/foot. This is easiest to do when the dog is lying on one side. Since there is a risk of damaging internal organs, don’t push too hard but do it a couple of times. Watch his mouth to see whether something appears when you are pressing his belly, and be ready to remove it with your other hand. If nothing comes out after a couple of pushes, you could quickly let two fingers search his throat for an object, - while you are still pushing with the other hand.

Actually: If you can lift your dog by the hind legs, you can instead try to hold him firmly by the thighs and lightly shake him downwards. This could make the foreign object fall out in a gentle way.

If he is still choked by something, you could try to give him artificial respiration by closing his mouth and placing your mouth over his nose (he is your best friend!). Blow into his nose until his chest rises visibly and then push again as before. This can be repeated until the obstruction comes out.

If this doesn’t seem to work or if he’s conscious and won’t let you push his belly as described above, you will have to use tools to get the obstruction cleared, Back him in between your legs or better: have someone restrain him. Open his mouth and if necessary keep it open with what is available, while you check his mouth for whatever the obstruction may be. Try to get it out with a spoon or any other suitable tools at hand. The best tool is a pair of long blunt tweezers, as those sometimes used in the kitchen. You should still be cautious when pulling the obstruction out, but on the other hand, the life of you dog may be at stake if you don’t get it out!

This is just some examples of what a dog emergency situation could be, - with a little imagination you could also come up with emergencies like broken limbs, shock, dehydration and so on.

Linda Boye is the author of happydoglife.com/dogpack.html The Dog Lover’s Essentials MegaPack, which contains 3 ebooks and 9 audio visual presentations on dog care, dog recipes, dog health and dog training. If you are looking for everything a dog lover needs, and if you want to spoil my dog on a shoe string budget, then you can’t go past this valuable package. To find more great dog related tips and articles, check out happydoglife.com happydoglife.com.

If you want to be prepared for handling dog emergencies and maybe save your best friend’s life, I recommend that you read an ebook called health.happydoglife.com/ Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch. This will give you a basis for doing the right things in those scary emergency situations. Your dog will thank you for it!

Related posts

• Why it’s Important For New Dog Owners to Take Dog Training Seriously (0)
• Who Really Is The Boss In Your House? (0)
• What Types Of Barking Problems Do Dogs Have? (0)
• What To Look For In Dog Training Ebooks (0)
• Training More than One Dog or Puppy in Basic Obedience (0)

Tags: dog training, whining

It’s appealing to see yourself “saving” an adult dog from a shelter but
dealing with a dog with a troubled or insecure past can be very challenging.

The good news is that you’ll be getting a full size dog so you know what to
expect in that regard. He’s likely to have at least some rudimentary
training, perhaps from shelter personnel.

The worst thing that can happen is that the dog and the owner are not well
matched. Inexperienced shelter personnel might place a strong-willed,
albeit small, dog with an elderly couple.

Sometimes, owners over-estimate their own abilities and under-estimate the
time commitment to handle dogs with tricky or troubled personalities.

Louise Louis of www.ToyBreeds.com notes that many older dogs entering a new
home will not behave well. Expect problems like whining, barking, destroying
things, and toilet mistakes.

That’s because the dogs are anxious and do not feel safe in the new home.
Do not take this behavior personally and try not to become angry.

Please recognize that the concept of gratitude is a human one. It does not
exist in dogdom.

On the other hand, some owners make the opposite mistake and become too
indulgent with these dogs. That will only increase the dog’s insecurity and
may create a dog that can’t bear to be away from its owner.

If you get a second hand dog, you need to find a middle ground. The dog needs
security, not pity. Be kind but be firm. You are in charge and you need to
show it to your dog.

If you dog anxiously paws at your lap trying to get attention, ignore him!
You make the decisions on playing, walking and feeding. Behavior problems
are minimized when your dog feels secure and has a leader (you) that he
is confident can protect him.

Not all shelter dogs will come with problems, but because some will,
it’s best to begin your relationship on the basis that problems
should be expected and dealt with.

In the long run, this will help the dog’s new home become it’s last one.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
ToyBreeds.com ToyBreeds.com

Related posts

• Why it’s Important For New Dog Owners to Take Dog Training Seriously (0)
• Who Really Is The Boss In Your House? (0)
• What You Need To Know About Therapy Dogs (0)
• What Types Of Barking Problems Do Dogs Have? (0)
• What To Look For In Dog Training Ebooks (0)

Tags: whining

Are searching for answerers to your dog training problems? Well then you’ve come to the right place. Most new dog owners think that training their dog is going to be a difficult, daunting task, and for most new dog owners it is, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The choice is up to you! The early stages of your dogs life should be a happy time for the two of you. You shouldn’t to deal with dog training problems, especially since dog training mistakes are easy to avoid if you are armed with the right information.

A dogs first year is very critical because it is going to set the stage for the rest of his life, and it will ultimately determine what kind of companion a dog is going to become. Most new dog owners unknowingly making mistakes when they begin the training process. These mistakes lead to problems that make the first year of their dogs life a confusing and trying time for both the owner and the dog. However, learning what you need to avoid doing in order to prevent these behavior problems from occurring is a lot easier than you might think!

Training mistakes that go unnoticed, and never get corrected are often the most crucial mistakes. If your puppy doesn’t seem to be “getting it” when you start potty training him, then subtle mistakes that you might be making could be the culprit. Don’t worry though it is not uncommon for new puppy owners to experience these kinds of setbacks. Just don’t forget to remember that certain training mistakes will affect your puppy’s ability to learn, his behavior later on in life, and they can cause accidents in the house to go on for what might seem like forever.

The experiences that a puppy goes through during the early stages of his life, define the kind of dog, he will become. Believe it or not the potty training stage is an extremely crucial period in your puppy’s life! Training mistakes that are made during this period can result in behavior problems taking place later on in your dog life. More often than not these behavioral problems that some dogs experience later on in life, are often traced back to the puppy training stage. Here are some typical problems that are the result of puppy potty training mistakes:

* Going to the bathroom in a remote location of the house.

* Waiting to use the bathroom until he is inside of the house.

* Reliving himself inside of his crate.

* Excessive barking or whining when he is in the crate.

* He is overly submissive with you.

* He acts scared, or he exhibits fearful behavior.

* He seems to ignore your commands.

* He turns around and heads the other way when you call him.

* He is constantly displaying obsessive or compulsive behaviors.

* He displays some forms of aggression towards you or other dogs.

Most of the dogs that develop these problems, do so, because of training mistakes that went undetected, and were subsequently reinforced because they were repeated on a consistent basis. In the end it all boils down to the training, along with the dynamics of the dog owners relationship with their dog that cause a puppy to end up as an adult dog with these behavior problems. however with the appropriate training, and a good upbringing these problems won’t be part of your dogs life.

If you would like to find out how other squidoo.com/sitstayfetch101″ target= “_blank dog owners have successfully trained there puppy’s, and squidoo.com/sitstayfetch101″ target= “_blank dogs then you need to visit: Squidoo.com/SitStayFetch101 Squidoo.com/SitStayFetch101

Related posts

• Training Your Puppy The Right Way (0)
• Puppy Training and Puppy Play - the Importance of Socialization (0)
• Potty Training for Puppy Dogs (0)
• Potty Training a Puppy (0)
• Paper Training A Dog - 10 Practical Tips (0)

Tags: dog training, potty training, puppy training, whining

Spring showers may give us hope of May flowers, but could also cause the booming thunder that sends your pet running for cover. An estimated 19% of dogs suffer from what veterinarians term “thunder phobia”. The phobia can range from mild anxiety, whining, frantic pacing, hiding and running away, even jumping out of windows.

Although no one knows for sure what causes some dogs to panic during storms, it is believed to be caused by a combination of noise, flash of lightning and change in barometric pressure. Some dogs even have the emotional element of having a bad experience during a storm such as a falling tree or owners’ own anxiety.

Thunder phobia, like other health concerns, can best be dealt with through prevention. Assuring young dogs and puppies that everything will be alright and keeping them from developing the phobia can be key. With most dogs, the phobia, once developed, will only worsen with age.

If your dog does have thunder phobia, it is never too late to work with your pet. Holistically, desensitization (behavior modification) can work well. It takes an investment of time on the owners part to slowly introduce the thunderstorm sounds (using a tape or CD). This will normally take several weeks.

Another approach is the use of herbs and herbal-based products. Products, formulated for pets, containing chamomile are found most effective. Many of these can be given prior to the start of the storm and the calming effect will last for several hours.

If you find yourself in the middle of a storm with a distressed pet, exercise caution. Talk in a calm, reassuring voice. Flower remedies such as Bach’s Rescue Remedy can be given. Some owners note almost an immediate calming of the pet.

Whatever your method, your reassurance and love is also needed. For sever cases of thunder-phobia, consult your veterinarian.

Marian Brown has been active in holistic health care for people and pets for over 15 years. She is editor of hhnews.com Holsitic Health News . Visit the site at hhnews.com hhnews.com to join our free email newsletter with more important pet tips.

Related posts

• Why it’s Important For New Dog Owners to Take Dog Training Seriously (0)
• Who Really Is The Boss In Your House? (0)
• What You Should Know When You Get a Shelter Dog (0)
• What You Need To Know About Therapy Dogs (0)
• What Types Of Barking Problems Do Dogs Have? (0)

Tags: whining

Have you ever thought about what you need to do should your dog – or another dog – ever suffer a serious, life-threatening injury? What if they have a severe allergy to an insect bite or a bee sting? It’s great to know your vet’s phone number, but what if something happens during off hours? What if you don’t know where the closest emergency animal clinic is located?

Enough with the questions already, right? Any emergency is stressful and scary, and one involving that furry little four-legged member of your family is no exception. The toughest of owners can be instantly reduced to helpless balls of mush if something’s wrong with their dogs and they can’t figure out what to do.

1. Preparation is key.

The key to getting through a veterinary emergency is preparation. You may think you have that covered with a first aid kit and having the phone number to your vet handy, but what if there isn’t enough time to move your dog? You need to be well-versed in some of the more common animal emergencies just in case a situation ever arises. And hey, if a situation never arises, you’ll still feel more confident knowing that you have the ability to deal with one.

2. Know how to care for wounds.

Did you know that you shouldn’t use hydrogen peroxide on a bleeding wound? Nope. It slows clotting to the area, which means your dog could actually lose more blood than he would if you didn’t use the peroxide at all. In fact, the best way to treat a deep, severely bleeding wound is to apply a clean cloth and hold it in place for five minutes, then tape the cloth to the wound. That original cloth should never be removed – that also slows clotting – and should instead be layered with more clean cloths if blood soaks through.

3. Know what to do about poisoning.

Did you know that certain varieties of toads, salamanders, newts, and other amphibians are poisonous if licked? Hey, guess who loves to hold little woodland critters in his mouth! Your dog. If you notice your pup drooling, whining, and wiping at his mouth after a trip into the forest, get him to a clean water source and rinse his mouth thoroughly. While the poison can be fatal if left in the mouth, it’s fairly easy to cleanse from the tongue and glands.

Make sure you are prepared for any emergencies for that friend!

Paul Duxbury owns my-dog.co.uk my-dog.co.uk a leading sources of free information and advice for all dog owners as well as dog-lover.co.uk dog-lover.co.uk

Related posts

• Why it’s Important For New Dog Owners to Take Dog Training Seriously (0)
• Who Really Is The Boss In Your House? (0)
• What You Should Know When You Get a Shelter Dog (0)
• What You Need To Know About Therapy Dogs (0)
• What Types Of Barking Problems Do Dogs Have? (0)

Tags: whining