Hi Glampers !
I would like to
introduce Jamie Strand who is our guest Blogger today who has written a great piece for us on Dog Safety when out in the woods or camping with your fury friend. We are dog friendly here at Camp Katur so we think this article is full of great advice !
Dangers That Lurk in the Woods and What You
Can Do to Protect Your Dog
Every spring, summer, and fall (and maybe even
winter for the adventurous), outdoorsy people head to their local forests to
camp. Many of these people bring their dogs. Camping with a canine companion
can be a lot of fun - for you and for your dog. But there are dangers to dogs
that lurk in the woods. Here are some of them, and what you can do you protect
your best friend.
Lakes,
rivers, and streams
Though most dogs are naturally pretty good
swimmers, this doesn’t hold true for every single dog. And like humans, dogs
can tire out in water and have a hard time getting back to shore if they swim
too far out. Dogs can also get caught in currents, taking them to places where
it’s hard for them to climb out (steep banks). If you’re camping near water,
it’s best to keep your dog on a leash or a stake chain when you’re not
interacting with them. A dog can wander off and get into water and drown just
like a child can. If you encounter the worst case scenario, here’s a good guide for saving a drowning dog.
Ticks
Tick bites cause a wide range of illnesses in
humans, and the same goes for dogs. Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis,
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesosis, Bartonellosis, and Hepatozoonosis are
just some of the tick-borne diseases than can affect your dog, according to the American Kennel Club.
Preventing tick bites is a two-step strategy. First, you must make sure that
your dog is protected by flea & tick medication before you venture out into
the woods. Next, you should comb through your dog’s coat and check for ticks as often as you check
yourself. Don’t forget to check inside the ears.
Other
animals
Obvious fact: the woods are full of animals.
Another obvious fact: dogs are inherently curious of other animals. You should
always carry bear mace to protect against large predators like bears, coyotes,
mountain lions, and wolves (depending on where you camp). It’s much more
likely, however, that the wild animals giving your dog trouble will be more
common animals like raccoons. What should you do if a raccoon is harassing your
dog?
“You have two choices—come at them like a
predator with an object like a bat, or wait for them to simply go away,” advises dog behavioral specialist Beverly
Ulbrich.
Keeping your dog restrained is the best way to
keep them out of trouble. If an animal like a raccoon, skunk, or porcupine is
coming near your campsite, make noise and use sticks and rocks to scare them
away. Put your dog inside your tent until the threat moves on.
The sun
Heat stroke can occur in dogs just as easily -
if not easier - than it occurs in humans. Dogs don’t sweat, so their cooling
mechanisms aren’t as effective as ours. The two best ways to battle heat stroke
are shade and water. Never leave your campsite (to go on a hike, for instance)
without enough water for you and your dog. Camp near shade.
Dogs can also suffer sunburns, so giving them
a light coating of sunblock spray can help during prolonged periods of sun
exposure.
Don’t let the dangers of the woods dissuade
you from going camping with your dog. It’s great for your dog, and most of the
time it’s incredibly safe. Like with any camping trip, however, it’s best to be
over-prepared for anything that might come your way - even scenarios that may
seem unlikely.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
