Monday 7 August 2017

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.Dangers That Lurk in the Woods and What You Can Do to Protect Your Dog

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