Hartlepool Dog Warden Service

27/10/2023

**********Helping your dog cope with Fireworks************

Find out when fireworks are likely to go off in your area. Research local events to find out when local firework displays are, check neighbourhood groups on social media and talk to your neighbours to see if they’re planning on having fireworks in their gardens. You might even want to let them know how fireworks affect your dog and what you’re doing to help them.
Arrange your plans around key fireworks dates, like Bonfire Night and to make sure you, or someone your dog knows well, will be at home with them when scary sounds are likely.
Adjust your schedule: Plan your walks to make sure your dog is indoors when any fireworks are likely. This might mean changing your routine to walk them earlier in the day and changing your feeding schedule to give your dog time to eat and go to the toilet before dark.
Prepare your surroundings: Close all windows and doors and seal any gaps to reduce outside noise. Dogs can try to run away if they’re scared so check your doors, windows and fences are secure.
Create a sanctuary: Make sure your dog has a well-established safe space they can retreat to, make it extra snug and get yourself comfy too. Introduce this ahead of fireworks so your dog learns it’s a positive place to be.
Play their favourite games (if they want to!): Experiment with different enrichment in the run up to fireworks, to find out what treats, games and puzzles your dog enjoys the most. Dogs who are fearful of fireworks may not want to engage in activities when they’re going off and instead may seek reassurance or hide. If this happens, let them hide or give them comfort, and speak to your vet afterwards.

13/04/2023

Need help with your dog's training or behaviour but concerned about the costs. Good news, the Dog's Trust are able to help.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/dog-school/discounted-dog-school

06/04/2023

************Free Microchipping*************

03/11/2022

******Dogs Trust Advice for help with your dog on Bonfire Night*****

Hi we have some great advice on how to help dogs cope with Fireworks this year, please follow the link below
https://www.facebook.com/543927747095105/posts/674511054036773

Here's our fireworks top tips to help keep your dog safe and happy this weekend and beyond. 🎆

More advice here 👉 https://bit.ly/3AH2sRe

01/08/2022

30/05/2022

*****Dogs Trust Events******

‘The Dogs Trust Community team will be at Summerhill Country Park and Visitor Centre on Tuesday 14th June from 11am until 3pm and would love to speak with local dog owners about their dogs. The aim of this event is to gather information from dog owners and their experience of dog training. The team will also be giving out information on their current service offering in the area.’

30/05/2022

‘*******Dogs Trust Event******
The Dogs Trust Community team will be at Belle Vue Sports Community & Youth Centre on Tuesday 7th June from 11am until 3pm and would love to speak with local dog owners about their dogs. The aim of this event is to gather information from dog owners and their experience of dog training. The team will also be giving out information on their current service offering in the area.’

16/05/2022

*********RSPCA Advice**********

With the warmer weather returning, lots of people will be heading out to enjoy the outdoors; going to local beauty spots owned by local authorities, heading to the high street and using council-owned car parking facilities.

Sadly, some of these people will still believe it’s OK to leave a dog in a car on a warm day and, to illustrate the point, in the last three years the RSPCA received 6,510 complaints of dogs in hot environments.

Even if the windows are left open, or the car is parked in the shade, leaving a dog in a car is still a very dangerous situation. A car can rapidly become as hot as an oven, even when it doesn’t feel particularly warm. When it’s 22 degrees outside, in just one hour it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees in a car.

If you or your residents see a dog left in a car on a warm day, the simple advice is to dial the police on 999. The RSPCA is a charity with limited resources; we may not be able to attend quickly enough, nor do we have powers of entry. The police will inform the RSPCA if animal welfare assistance is needed

Many of us are now aware that , but fewer of us think about the consequences of exercising our dogs and what impact it can have on their biology, especially during warmer climates.

Find out about the dangers of leaving your dog in a car, conservatory or caravan, and learn how you can help if you find a dog in a hot car.

18/01/2022

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/dogs-trust-community-engagement-team-34383673627 Hi Dogs Trust are only offering online sessions throughout January. This will be reviewed at the end of January and hopefully, from there, we will be able to book further face to face sessions.

They have a range of online sessions available for January via the link above

Dogs Trust Community Engagement Team

03/11/2021

Our four-legged friends can find fireworks stressful but there are things you can do to help them cope.

Preparing for Fireworks
Make your house and garden escape-proof. Dogs can try to run away if they’re scared. Close your windows and curtains, turn the lights on, and try switching on the TV to help disguise the noise.

Go for walkies before dark. Make sure you get out well before any fireworks could start.

Feed your dog before it gets noisy. Once fireworks begin, your dog might be too stressed to eat.

Create a safe hiding place and settle your dog before fireworks start. A doggy den is a great way to help your dogs to feel safe and secure. A den is easy to make and can be put together with things you already have.
During Fireworks
Don't leave your dog alone. Your pooch could panic without you, so stick around for the evening to help them feel relaxed.

Provide entertainment. Keeping your dog busy indoors can take their mind off the noise. Play games or practise some reward-based training.

Let your dog hide if they want to. Don’t make them come out of their safe space if they don’t want to. And never force a dog outside during fireworks.

Comfort and reassure your dog. Dogs are extremely good at picking up on how their humans are feeling. So if you stay calm, they will be much more likely to stay calm too. Have a snuggle on the sofa (if they’re into that) and try to relax. Don't punish them for cowering or reacting to the fireworks as this will intensify their fear.

03/11/2021

Dogs Trust Free Event , Happy Dog, Happy Home Workshop

Happy Dog, Happy Home – supporting owners
The Happy Dog, Happy Home intervention aims to educate dog owners and provide them with the necessary tools and information they need to gradually prepare their dogs to be left alone. The outcome we’d like to see are dogs that are settled and able to cope when at home on their own. By helping to prevent problem behaviours occurring, this enables dogs to have a higher standard of welfare and fewer issues developing which can result in complaints to the Local Authority or housing provider.

How will the Happy Dog Happy Home intervention be delivered in your area?
What separation anxiety is and how it can be prevented using positive training methods.
How to teach a dog to settle down when left alone.
How How enrichment items for dogs can be sourced and produced at a low cost.

*****Please click on the link below to book your place******

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/latest/issues-campaigns/happy-dog-happy-home/

18/06/2021

Warm weather advice form the Dogs Trust

Keep your dog happy and healthy in warm weather with our five tips for safe fun in the sun.
1. Provide shade and water
Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day.

2. Plan your walkies
Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This will reduce their risk of heatstroke. Be particularly careful if your dog is old, overweight or suffers from breathing difficulties.

3. Do the seven second tarmac test
Tarmac can get very hot in the sun and could burn your dog’s paws. Check the pavement with your hand before letting your dog walk on it — hold your hand down for seven seconds, if it's too hot for you, then it's too hot for your dog's paws.

4. Don't let them get burnt
Keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can. Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your dog’s skin, like the tips of their ears and nose. Ask your vet for more advice if needed.

5. Check ahead for adventures
If you're planning a day out, check whether dogs are welcome at the visitor attractions you plan to visit. Some public parks and beaches may have Public Space Protection Orders or Dog Control Orders in place during summer or at certain times of year, so check before travelling. If dogs are not permitted, find a dog-friendly alternative or make sure you arrange a pet sitter or kennels for the day. Read our advice on how to find a good dog walker.

What to do if your dog overheats
If dogs are too hot and can’t reduce their body temperature by panting, they may develop heatstroke which can be fatal.

Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke than others, such as very old or young dogs, dogs with thick heavy coats or those with short, flat faces (such as Pugs and Boxers). Dogs with certain diseases or on some types of medication are also more prone to heatstroke. Ask your vet for advice if you’re concerned about caring for your dog in warm weather.


Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs

Panting heavily
Drooling excessively
Appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
Vomiting
Collapsing
If your dog is showing any of these signs, follow emergency dog first aid and contact your nearest vet.

Graphic showing signs of heat stroke in dogs

Emergency first aid for dogs with heatstroke
For the best chance of survival, dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature lowered, but this needs to be done gradually or they can go into shock.

If your dog has collapsed, call a vet immediately as they may advise attending as a matter of emergency rather than starting treatment yourself.

In milder cases, you can follow these steps to start lowering your dog's temperature:

Move the dog to a shaded and cool area.
Immediately start pouring small amounts of room temperature (not cold) water onto the dog's body (cold water may cause shock). If possible, you can also use wet towels or place the dog in the breeze of a fan. If using wet towels, be sure to re-apply water regularly and not to keep the dog constantly covered – sometimes this can heat them up instead of cooling them down.
Allow the dog to drink small amounts of room temperature water.
Continue to pour small amounts of room temperature water onto the dog until their breathing starts to settle but not so much that they start to shiver.
Once the dog is starting to get cooler and their breathing is settling down, call the nearest veterinary surgery so they can be checked over.
Dogs die in hot cars

Think twice about any car trips with your dog. If you do have to travel with your dog, plan your journey. Consider travelling at cooler times of the day, identify places to take breaks, and avoid congested roads or busy times of day when you could get caught in traffic.

Never leave your dog in a vehicle. In just 20 minutes, a dog could die in a hot car. Winding a window down is not enough to help your dog stay cool.

If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 999 immediately.
In Northern Ireland, you can call your regional Animal Welfare Officer or the PSNI on 999. Visit the ni.direct website for your regional Animal Welfare Officer contact numbers.

Learn more about our Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign >

Plan a holiday for the whole family
Plan the pawfect getaway with dog-friendly breaks from Dogs Trust Holidays. Choose from cottages, lodges and boats that accept pets in the UK and Europe and support us at the same time; with every holiday booked, we receive a 10% donation