Tag: Dog Care 101

The last part in our safety series are two things BBS never hopes you have to do, but once again, we want all of you to be ready for any potential doggie emergency. CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and the Heimlich maneuver are two live saving techniques that could potentially save your dog.  

We could have easily written a very lengthy article about how to complete both of these procedures, but we decided to show off the great potential of the internet and show two instructional videos. These videos are very informative and concise and you’ll have a good understanding of how these should be done by the end of each. 

CPR 

Heimlich Maneuver 

We hope this series has in the least prodded you to begin thinking about first aid for your beloved furry family member, and at most, truly prepared you for any potential emergencies. 

This week in our 101 Dog Tips Dog Safety series, Best Bully Sticks focuses on treating bites on your dog and any reaction they might have. Dogs are naturally curious creatures, so bites may be unavoidable. Bites and stings come from other insects and animals such as flies, spiders, ticks and snakes. Most of these critters can find a way into your house as well, and as unpleasant as that thought is, if you’re dog is bitten you’ll want to know what actions to take to treat your pup.

Insect Bites

Insect bites can range from flies, to spiders, to ticks.

Flies don’t cause much of a problem, but can leave you dog with red sores or scabs. Most commonly, dogs who live near farms or livestock have more of a problem with deer flies or horse flies, which are more painful.  Flies also tend to bite on dog’s ears. To treat a dog with small fly bites, usually a bit of antibiotic cream will help. If the dog’s ears have been bitten, use warm water and antiseptic soap to clean the bites and then use antibiotic ointment afterward to treat the wounds.  Prevention of these bites can include applying a topical insecticide to the dog’s ears, spraying the dog’s outside living quarters with a non-toxic bug repellant and keeping food waste and garbage cleaned up as not to attract bugs.

Spider bites are more severe and usually the culprits are black widow and brown recluse spiders.  Both of these spiders are venomous, but the severity of these bites depends on the location of the bite as well as the species and its size.  Here are signs to identify which type of spider bite and the symptoms.

A black widow spider bite causes immediate tenderness to the location of the bite and numbness and abdominal swelling and sensitivity. Seizures are possible as well as respiratory problems. If you notice any of these and you see a bite, it’s best to call ahead to your vet and then go there as well. Read more

Here at Best Bully Sticks, we know that not all aspects of dog ownership will be enjoyable for you or your pet.  One of those could be bath time.  If your dog is anxious about getting a bath and is a pain to clean, chances are you aren't enjoying the struggle involved either. If you've owned your dog from puppy-hood the process of making bath time stress-free may be a little easier, but no matter the age, your dog can still learn to like baths.  Here are a few ways to ease your dog into coping with bath time.

Creature Comforts: Creating A Comfortable Environment For Bath Time. If you think your dog is generally okay with baths, here's a sure-fire test. If your dog doesn't take food or a treat from you while in the bath, it means your pup isn't comfortable.  There are a couple reasons why the physical environment of your bathroom isn't calming to your dog.  One of the best ways to enhance a dog's physical presence in the tub is a non-skid bath mat or even a towel.  If a dog doesn't have traction, they won't feel physically at ease in any situation. When bathing your dog, remember that hot water doesn't always equal cleanliness.  A lukewarm temperature will be comfortable for your dog and won't dry out their skin as hot water would.

Chaotic To Calm: Changing Your Dog's Perceptions About Baths. After you make the dog physically comfortable in the bath, the next step is emotional comfort.  Anxiety about baths can change if a dog is eased into relating the bathroom to a place where good things happen.  Anytime you are in the bathroom, lead your dog in and give them a treat. Next, step into the tub and give your dog a treat. Even try feeding your dog in the bathroom and slowly move their food into the actual tub as they become more comfortable.  For dogs who get bathed in sinks, it's the same idea. Work to slowly move toward the sink, putting your pup down and giving them a training treat each time you move a step closer.  Reiterate this practice until the dog is calm.

Water, Water, Everywhere: A Word On Water. When your dog gets comfortable with the idea of being in the bath, try turning on a small amount of water. If you begin squirting, spraying or dumping water on your dog, the fear of baths will return.  Pour just enough water to get your dog's feet wet and see how they react. If it's positive, very slowly add a little water to wet his legs more, then the body.  Again, go slowly with the head, ears and neck of your dog. During this first session, you might not even want to use shampoo.  The goal is just to keep your dog calm during this process.  If you did shampoo, it would mean rinsing and thus adding considerable time with water in the tub.

Slow & Steady Wins The Race: Being Patient With The Process. Conditioning your dog to thinking more positively about baths will take time.  Remember that this may not be an overnight change, but if you are persistent, you will reap the benefits of a stress-free doggie bath. Two of the biggest things to remember: go very slowly & reinforce with small dog treats (positive reinforcement.)  A clean dog just might truly become a happy dog.  Happy training!

Dogs can get colds just like their owners.  If your dog has a cough, runny nose and eyes, sneezing, general lethargy and loss of appetite, he or she might just have a cold.  Also similar to human colds, dog colds aren't severe. Here are a few tips on helping your pup get back to romping around.

Comfy & Cozy: Keep Your Dog Warm & Dry. You'll need to make sure your dog stays inside as much as possible. Cold air can further constrict a dog's bronchial tubes if they are having a hard time breathing. Routine potty breaks outside should remain normal, but when inside keep your pup warm by adding blanket to their bed, covering them up or putting a hot water bottle in their covers.

Calories Every Day Keeps the Doctor Away: Making Sure Your Dog Eats and Drinks. If your dog seems indifferent toward their food, there are a few ways to get their calorie intake up.  If your dog won't eat dry food, try a hot low sodium chicken broth, or mixing up a combination of veggies, boiled chicken and rice.  Your dog is certain to be interested. Making sure your dog stays hydrated is equally important. If they don't seem to want to drink water, try a sports drink or add an electrolyte mix to their water. (Always check with your vet about the ingredients on these products!) This helps to replace fluids that your pup may be losing to mucus production.

Doggies In The Mist: Vapor & Moisture. There are a few ways to help break up your dog's congestion. Turn on a very hot shower and sit in a closed bathroom with your dog. You can also use a humidifier, which creates the same effect.  Both of these will help loosen any mucus your dog has built up.

The key to helping your dog get over a cold is pretty simple--If it works for you, it just might work for your dog. If the symptoms become more intense, please take your dog to the vet. It could possibly be something more serious than a cold.  Illnesses such as Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough or Canine Distemper are all more serious ailments that could be disguised as a cold. If you're an attentive dog owner, you'll pick up on the difference in a common cold and something more serious. Never second guess taking your prized pup to the doctor.

How To Prevent Ticks From Frustrating Your Dog - 101 Dog Care Tips- Tip 14

One of the unavoidable - and unpleasant - inconveniences of owning a dog is the possibility of her getting ticks. Try to remember, she doesn't like them any more than you do. You need to check her coat regularly, especially if she spends a lot of time outside. Otherwise, your pooch can contract Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and other illnesses. You might also find the pests inside your home.

If you have never seen a tick before, they can appear unsettling. There's nothing to fear. In this article, we'll explore how you can safely check for them and remove them. I'll also explain how you can prevent their becoming a problem in the first place.

Checking And Removing Them

First, it's important to realize what these pests do when they climb aboard your dog. They hide in grass and vegetation. When your canine companion brushes past, they transfer themselves to her coat. Then, they dig into her skin and begin feeding on her blood. They eventually fall off her body when they have finished feeding.

You should check your pooch's coat every day if she ventures outside. The first step is to move your hand through her coat. If ticks are present, you'll feel tiny bumps. If you find the pests, don gloves to protect your hands and use tweezers to extract them.

Be careful when using the tweezers. If you do the extraction poorly, you might inadvertently leave a portion of the body under your dog's skin. Once you remove a tick, do not kill it by squeezing (that can lead to infection). Instead, place it in an enclosed container and flush its body down the toilet.

Your canine companion's skin is going to be sensitive after you remove the burrowed ticks. Wash the affected area with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic in order to clean it.

Preventing Their Presence

There are a number of topical formulations and other products that are sold in pet supply stores which can help prevent your dog from getting ticks. But, none are infallible. Common products include K9Advantix, Frontline Plus, and Proticall, but speak with your veterinarian and ask for recommendations.

A Tick-Free Dog Is A Happy One

Your pooch can't do the job alone. She can scratch and bite at the ticks which are burrowing under her skin, but she relies upon you to get them out for her. Check her coat every day, especially during the warm seasons. If you find them, remove them and clean the affected area. Finally, ask your vet to recommend tick prevention products. Not only will your dog be grateful for your help, but you'll be glad you took the time.

This tip is brought to you by Best Bully Sticks a leading internet prodvide of all natural dog chews and treats!