EWDT

12/04/2024

‼️This week is Dog Bite Prevention Week.‼️

There are many ways in which we can avoid being bitten. It's important that we understand the subtle signs of fear and stress in dogs.
We will be sharing some tips over the week on bite prevention.
Remember any dog can bite, for a variety of reasons. It doesn't mean they are "bad" dogs or "aggressive" dogs. It means they have triggers, just like us and need professional help from a science based, positive reinforcement dog behaviourist.
Dogs can bite for many different reasons. They can bite when they are feeling worried, uncomfortable, scared, trapped, have underlying health issues and pain, or they are placed in an situation where they're not being listened to and feel overwhelmed.
It's our duty as dog guardians to listen to their body language and to help them feel safe.
Dogs who feel safe don't need to bite.👌 Never ever ignore or punish a growl, as that's valuable information that a dog is not comfortable.
To start off, here are some helpful tips for when you meet a new dog.
Avoid petting a dog you don't know, unless the owner AND the dog have consented to it. You can then do a "consent test".

https://youtu.be/-cGDYI-s-cQ

More info in the picture (pic credit on picture)👇👇👇

17/09/2023

29/07/2023

🐕 A new study by the VetCompass team at the RVC has found that dogs with heatstroke may be suffering even further due to outdated first aid practices. The research calls for updated guidance to be promoted more widely for dogs with heatstroke – including cold water immersion and using fans or air conditioning on soaked dogs – to support owners to provide the best possible care.

➡️ Read more: https://rvc.uk.com/hot-dogs-cool-first-transport-second

12/12/2022

🎄 December 12th 🎄

How many cues do you actually need for jumps? And what is the right number for you and your dog? 🤔

One of the hardest decisions when it comes to training agility is choosing how many verbal jump cues to teach your dog - and yourself! Different cues make it easier for your dog to know what kind of jump he’s expected to perform, which adds safety and speed. It also increases a dog’s confidence and, thus, makes the sport more enjoyable for him.

But the more there are cues, the harder it is for you to remember them. And we all know, staying consistent is very important when it comes to dogs.

That's why we've put together a list of verbal cues with a downloadable template that you can use to add your own cues. The template also includes other agility related cues.

The templates are available both in English & Finnish and you can download them here 👇
https://www.aginotes.com/blog/2021/12/7/how-many-jump-cues-do-you-need-for-your-agility-dog

07/12/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=632545771991147&id=100057071901199

19/11/2022

https://dogsactually.co.uk/how-to-use-hibiscrub-on-dogs/

If you're wondering how to use hibiscrub on dogs, you're in the right place. You can use hibiscrub on dogs but there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure your pet pooch is well taken care of.

05/10/2022

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/signs-your-dog-may-be-stressed

Recognising fear or anxiety in your dog can help you resolve or avoid situations they find difficult.

18/07/2022

We've all heard the phrase DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS! And most of us are sensible enough not to leave them in hot cars or rooms as we know temperatures SOAR in the heat. BUT, we still see people exercising their dogs? 🥵

Well did you know that in fact, "exercise triggered over 10x as many canine heat-related illness events as hot cars, and caused 8x as many deaths". With a huge 74.2% of heatstroke reported to have occurred AFTER EXERCISE. Exposure to hot weather alone (sitting in the heat) triggered 12.9% and travel or confinement in a hot car triggered only 5.2%.

Let's not be ignorant pet owners. You wouldn't leave a dog in a hot car, so do not walk them in the heat! There are multiple stimulating exercises you can do at home to keep your dog mentally entertained, or walk early in the morning or late at night when it is cool.

KNOW THE FACTS

Here is what to look out for:

🔥 Elevated body temperature of 40.c+
🔥 Heavy panting
🔥 Agitation/whining/barking
🔥 Staggering/weakness/collapse
🔥 Increased heart rate
🔥 RED gums
🔥 Excessive thirst
🔥 Seizures

RAPID COOLING SAVES LIVES ⚠️
The problem is not only the temperature the dog reaches during heat stroke, but the time the dog spends at that peak temperature. COOLING IS KEY using whatever resources are available. Active cooling in the first instance can lower mortality rate from 49% to 19%!

Best methods of cooling: water & air!
💧Water combined with air movement – running water, soaking or immersion. Tap water is ideal for cooling dogs, it’s doesn’t have to be ‘tepid’ it just needs to be water combined with air movement (evaporation) to disperse heat and you have the most effective cooling mechanism.
🧊 Ice packs accelerate cooling alongside evaporative cooling and cold water but useless instead of. Do not apply directly to the skin.
💧Allow small amounts to drink and clear froth away from the mouth to facilitate the airways.

Once cooling has been established, head to the nearest vet whilst maintaining air flow (windows down or air con on in the car). Even if your dog appears clinically well after cooling, it is still recommended that your dog receives a full examination as damage can be delayed.

‼️It was common knowledge that only tepid water should be used to cool in cases of heat stroke however, more recent investigations have shown this method to be outdated. "The concept that ice or cold water causes vasoconstriction and slows the cooling process has never been scientifically validated, and in that singular study, that claim was completely refuted. Ice or cold water likely does cause vasoconstriction, but since dogs really doesn’t use radiation from their skin to cool down much anyway, vasoconstriction doesn’t take anything away that they needed for cooling in the first place. Also, any effect of vasoconstriction is likely far outweighed by the cooling effect of the ice or cold water. The life-threatening element of heat injury is prolonged body heat. You need to cool the body to a safe temperature (under 104 F) as fast as possible and the cooler the water temp, the faster they cool." Written by Dr Janice Baker.‼️

WET TOWELS should be avoided. Wet towels limit air movement making evaporative cooling less effective. Do not apply a ‘cool coat’ to a hot dog.

For more info checkout https://heatstroke.dog/2021/06/10/hot-dogs-at-bsava-congress-2021/

Credit to www.heatstroke.dog for the facts!

© The Dog First Aid Co. 2022

18/07/2022

https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2018/07/31/can-put-ice-in-my-dogs-water-bowl/?fbclid=IwAR1dO9PmsIxf81qlXHP_jccAyqhQbm-t6S0gfqoYTyFFIbCbOuHzgLHjqDI&fs=e&s=cl ice

There have been claims that putting ice in your dog's water is dangerous, even fatal. We look at why ice water is perfectly safe.

18/07/2022

“HEATSTROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY”

I’m compelled to keep posting this. I’ve learned of a number of dogs that have died of heatstroke in the recent heatwave.

If you see a horse or person or dog with heatstroke, then cool them down by hosing/spraying water from the outside or house water supply (usually 10-20°C). It doesn't have to be ice-cold to be effective as long as you put a lot on. You may well save a life!

And yes, I know there is a lot of advice about cooling horses, dogs and people which goes against aggressive cooling and advises ice packs in the groin or armpit and using tepid water! It's outdated and ineffective and if you follow it your horse/dog/person is more likely to suffer permanent injury or worse!

If you don't believe me, then listen to the people who do this for a living with people...

"Active cooling via Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is now the standard of care and should be done immediately. This is a Grade IA recommendation.5 The patient should be immersed in ice water 1 to 3°C." http://www.emdocs.net/heat-related-illness-how-to-cool-em-and-what-to-do-after/

27/05/2022

🚨 RANT ALERT 🚨 The rise of “dominance training” is back.

Over the last few years, I really thought the tide was turning in favor of modern training methods that require a more intelligent, ethical and scientifically-backed approach. 

But recently we’ve seen a TIDAL WAVE of super old-school trainers who use an excessive amount of force with dogs on social media.

Of course, there is still a ton of work to be done in the field of canine learning and cognition, but there is no denying that current research is pointing us firmly away from using harsh corrections and “balanced” techniques.

None of us can be experts at everything. Particularly when we’re new to something, we don’t know what we don’t know… until we know it. 

If something “feels right” or seems like “common sense”, we’re less likely to question it. Modern dog training is EXACTLY one of those things that can be straight up counterintuitive to most people.

Avoiding punishment as much as possible, and focusing on rewarding desired behavior instead, is actually MORE effective, faster, and contributes to a higher quality of life for dogs. 

It can be easy to miss this point, since prompt corrections in dog training appear to “do the trick”.  But modern trainers understand the shortcomings and serious potential side effects of these methods.

Searching for dog training help on the internet can be REALLY confusing when you’re presented with so many contradictory opinions. 

I want to specifically recommend a champion of ethical dog training, Emily Larlham AKA Kikopup. 

Emily represents a shining example of what we should all strive to be as dog guardians and trainers, and there can be no doubt that she’s been one of the most major forces propelling our peers forward in the field of dog training.

If you want a broader understanding of how dogs actually learn, demonstrated vividly, and intelligently explained, is an indispensable resource.

Anyone halfway serious about understanding dog training in the 21st century should be following all of her accounts:

🐾 YouTube.com/user/kikopup
🐾 TikTok.com/
🐾 Instagram.com/kikopup
🐾 Facebook.com/dogmantics