|
TIPS
& ARTICLES
Cheatgrass and Foxtails
(Posted 8/2/2010)
Late summer is the time to be on the alert for various “invaders” from the plant world. As grasses and weeds dry out and seeds begin to scatter, this can mean trouble for pets. Daily checks and quick removal is the key to preventing serious problems in the future. Cheatgrass is a potentially dangerous weed common in many parts of North America. It is often confused with another dangerous weed, the foxtail.
The danger lies in the “invasiveness” of the dry seed pods, found in late summer and early fall. These pods have one-way microscopic barbs that allow the seed to work its way into fur, skin, and mucous membranes, but not work itself back out, much like the one-way movement of porcupine quills. Foxtail weeds shed very small black seeds which also work their way into fur, skin and tissue. These annoying and troublesome weeds have been found in the skin (i.e. between the toes), eyes, ears, mouth, vulva, and even interior body cavities such as lungs and abdomen, causing sometimes very serious punctures and infections. It is important not to underestimate the potential seriousness of this common problem.
Quick removal of the seed will reduce or eliminate potential serious and expensive problems. Both cats and dogs are affected, but cats seem to be better at grooming and removing these weeds. Here are some tips to recognize potential problems and keep cheatgrass and foxtails away from your pets.
*Keep weeds out of your pet’s yard and enclosure.
*Keep your pet’s coat clean and well-groomed. Inspect your dog daily for hair mats. This will help reduce grass seed accumulation and make for easier daily inspections.
*Keep pets out of dry grassy fields and roadsides.
*Check your dogs ears and between the toes. These are common places for cheatgrass to hide.
*Clipping hair between the paw pads in dogs will reduce potential for picking up cheatgrass.
Any time your pet is excessively sneezing, drooling, shaking their head, scratching their ears, whining, licking at their paw or other body part excessively, please have them checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Animals with an infected grass seed penetration will show signs typical of an infection: lethargy, decreased appetite, pain, redness or drainage. Finding and removing cheat grass before it can become embedded and infected will save a lot of trouble. In the vast majority of cases, these grass seeds will not simply fall out the way they came in. This problem tends to continue to worsen over time.
For assistance in getting rid of these noxious weeds, please contact your local extension agent for more information about local weed control in your area.
Good Leadership
(Posted 8/2/2010)
At The Dog House, we are behaviorists first. If you have a young pup, we try to help you avoid behavior/attitude problems. If you have an older dog, we help you fix the behavior/attitude problems. Virtually all behavior/attitude problems evolve from not having taught the dog to PAY ATTENTION TO THE LEADER, to SHOW RESPECT TO THE LEADER and to EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL. These are lessons that must come from the dog’s leaders themselves (that means you), not from outside trainers or even from outside stimuli (like food or toys.)
Your dog’s behavior at any given moment is a reflection of the relationship he has with the person accompanying him. Your dog may jump on a weaker, less assertive dog, but they won’t jump on the tough dog. Your dog will bite on the wife’s hand, but will not treat the husband that way. Your dog plays rough with your kids, but not so much with Grandpa. Your dog has different relationships with each of these people. He feels he can bite the wife’s hand because she is too “gentle” to correct him. He plays rough with the kid’s because they resemble littermates and lack the strength, timing and assertiveness to earn his respect. He is respectful of Dad and Grandpa because they exude strength in their voices, their hands and their bearing…and strength is something your dog naturally respects.
When you come to our Leadership Classes, you learn to improve and strengthen your relationship with your dog in a way that makes you a benevolent leader that your dog can actually respect. You become someone whose words and actions mean something. When the leader gives a command or signal, everyone in the pack should immediately and unquestioningly obey…because the leader’s job is to keep the pack safe and unified. This is nature’s way. When your dog is standing in the middle of a busy street, and you say “Come,” he should respond immediately and unquestioningly, because the leader must always be taken at his word. It is that simple.
Remember the qualities of a good leader: strength, confidence, trustworthiness, good judgment, intelligence and consistency. In your dog’s “hierarchy of needs,” (as in our own), leadership that provides safety and security is second only to the basic physiological needs of food and shelter.
First Aid Tip: Removing Fish Hooks
(Posted 8/2/2010)
Fish hooks can be a real “lure” to dogs around water. They most commonly get hooks lodged in their feet or lips.
If the hook’s barb is stuck in your dog’s flesh, do not try to dislodge it; you will do further damage to your dog’s flesh. Take him immediately to a vet. If you think your dog has swallowed a hook still attached to a fishing line, clip the line with about 8 inches hanging out of your dog’s mouth and take him to a vet immediately.
If the hook has gone all the way into his flesh and has exited the other side (picture a hook hanging from your dog’s lip), clip the back end of the hook with wire cutters, and move it through the rest of the way. Always move the hook forward when moving it through; do not try to back it out.
Once you have removed the hook, clean the wound with soap and water and apply triple antibiotic ointment. If the wound is on the dog’s foot, you will want to wrap the foot in clean gauze and a self-stick bandage like Vet Wrap. Have your dog checked by a vet as soon as possible.
READ MORE TIPS AND ARTICLES
|
