It’s that time of year again!! The Fourth of July holiday is upon us!! Here are some helpful suggestions gathered from several rescue and pet health sites. Most four legged creatures, including wildlife, are terrified of fireworks. More pets end up in shelters during and after the 4th of July than any other time of year because of fireworks.
Photo from nicklinwayvet.com.au
Celebrating the 4th of July can be a joyous occasion—but as fun as they are for American humans, 4th of July fireworks can be alarming, terrifying, and even dangerous for American pooches (and some cats, too). The day after Independence Day, July 5, is often the busiest day of the year for many animal shelters, as they work to safely catch, identify, and return local pets spooked by annual fireworks displays. To help make the holiday a safe, happy one for all, pet travel and lifestyle resource BringFido shared tips for keeping pets—particularly dogs—calm and safe during the festivities, whether you’re planning to go to a large fireworks show and leave your pup at home or you’re celebrating in your backyard.
From Pet travel and lifestyle source BringFido
1. Bring your dog inside for the whole day and night leading up to the 4th, or even a few days before, if you know people in your area plan to celebrate early. Your dog may not be a flight-risk, but if he or she is spooked by the fireworks, it could be all too easy for him or her to escape your yard and attempt to run away.
2. If you know your pet is afraid of loud noises, do not bring him or her to a fireworks show. Your pets will not suddenly overcome their fear, and the last thing you should do is introduce them to a situation where they will be stressed and panicked.
3. Be sure your pet is wearing a well-fitting collar with up-to-date ID tags. Should worse come to worst, you want to be able to easily identify Fido (or let whoever finds him find you) if he does manage to get out of the house.
Photo from dogblog.finchester.org
4. Tire your dogs out. Preempt any jitters by taking him or her on a long walk, run, or fetch session before the fireworks are set to start. If you’re lucky, your dog will sleep through the show or be too tired to pay attention to the sudden noise.
5. Surround your dog with comforting things, like a white noise machine (to muffle noises), a Thundershirt (proven to comfort anxious dogs), or a distracting treat, like a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or a new bone. If your dog is distracted and happy, she or he may not even notice the fireworks outside.
If your dog suffers from severe anxiety or presents extremely erratic behavior during fireworks or other surprising events, consider talking to your vet about options for more long-term treatment or working on behavior modification techniques in advance of next year’s show.
Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and we have plunged into the summer fun season, with all the opportunities it provides. But with the heat comes possible dangers! SOOOOO it is also a time to be aware and take precautions to keep your houndie safe.
These suggestions were pulled from Modern Dog Magazine, Journal of the American Medical Association and the Pet Health Network.
The Sun andPavement
The SUN can lead to scorched paws, sunburns, heatstroke, and even loss of life. And it cannot be stressed enough — Heat can rise rapidly in cars—on a sunny day, temperatures rise about 10°C (50°F) above the temperature outside within 10 minutes, San Francisco State University meteorologist Jan Null tells The Globe and Mail. After 30 minutes it’s 19°C (66°F) hotter in a car than it is outside. It literally takes only minutes for a pet to develop heat stroke and die in a hot car.
YES IT IS HOT !!!!!
So if you’re running errands, just leave your dog at home—everything has a way of taking longer than you expect it to.
The sun can also wreck havoc on your dog’s sensitive paws. The surface of an asphalt road can get as hot as 60°C (140° F) on a hot summer day. Would you want to walk barefoot on that? If you live somewhere hot, protect your dog’s feet with a pair of dog booties, walk on the grass, walk early in the day or late in the evening to avoid the hotter temperatures. Test the surface with your own bare foot. If you don’t want to walk on it, your dog probably doesn’t either.
Dogs get sunburns too! Believe it or not, dogs can sunburn, especially those with short or light-colored coats. And just like with people, sunburns can be painful for a dog and overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Talk to your veterinarian about sunscreens for your dog (don’t assume a sunscreen for people is appropriate for your dog).
It’s also not a good idea to drive around with your dog in the bed of a truck – the hot metal can burn paws quickly (and they can fall out and be injured or killed in an accident).
Water
Water can be dangerous as well—many dogs drown in swimming pools every year. Install a pet ramp, such as Skamper Ramp, in your pool so that your pup can climb out if they fall in, and prevent your dog from reaching the water unsupervised in the first place with a pet enclosure or gate. Lucky Dog Pet Kennels provide enclosures that put an emphasis on dog safety, great for even for “escape artist” dogs. (They also make kennels with roofs to provide shelter and protect against UV rays.)
Don’t assume your dog can swim well. Just because dogs instinctively know how to swim, doesn’t mean they’re good swimmers. And if your dog jumps in your swimming pool, he might not be able to get out without help and could easily drown. Again, make sure your dog can’t get into your swimming pool without you around.
Give your dog his very own “kiddy pool”. Dogs who love the water, naturally love it even more during the hot months, and getting wet keeps them cool. Providing a small, kid-sized pool will go over big.
Everybody in the pool !!
Your dog should always have access to fresh drinking water and shade. Dogs get much thirstier than we do when they get hot, and other than panting and drinking, they really have no way to cool themselves down. Keep your pet in the shade as often as possible. While dogs sometime like to sunbathe, direct sunlight can overheat them and cause heat stroke.
Uhh You are about finished with the water right?
Finally !!!
PARASITES
Make sure your dog is protected from parasites like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. If not protected, your dog is at risk for heartworm, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and a host of other nasty and dangerous conditions. And don’t forget, many of these diseases can be caught by people too!
ESCAPE
If there’s no fence, keep your dog on a leash
Summertime means all sorts of exciting sights, scents, critters running around, and new and exciting places to explore. Some dogs just are not good off leash and you don’t want to lose your dog because he became distracted in an unfamiliar environment. Make sure you know and understand your dog’s tendencies and err on the side of being overly-cautious. Keep the windows at your house screened. You may want your house to be ventilated, but you definitely do not want your dog jumping out!
Let’s go this way – she is not looking!
If your dog ever does escape your house, yard or petsitter, you can be prepared for that as well. (The American Humane estimates that over ten millions dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year) Microchipping helps increase the odds that you will find your lost pet. You can also set up your pup with a Help4Pets ID tag. http://help4pets.com These easy-to-spot ID tags are like a 911 call for your pet—if someone finds your dog and calls the number, they’re connected with a team of specialists who will contact you and help in any emergency. You can ensure that medical treatment is authorized in case your pet is found injured and you can’t be located, or they can provide emergency vet referrals if your vet is unavailable or if you are travelling. With nothing to plug in or scan, you can ensure that help for your dog is just a phone call away!
WEIGHT
Summer is the perfect time to increase your dog’s level of exercise and aim for tip-top shape; however be aware that over the winter extra pounds may have been added to our dog’s physique. A pet that maintains a healthy weight throughout his lifetime will live, on average, 2-3 years longer than an overweight pet! Just make sure not to over-exert your dog. Talk to your veterinarian, give him adequate rest and if your dog is especially overweight, make sure you ease him into physical activity!
Houndie aerobics!
As always, make sure you consult with your veterinarian and get their input on any questions or concerns you have about your pets and any possible changes in their routine in warm summer weather.
This is an amazing piece of useful information about how hounds “think” !!
A must read for all hound owners (uhh make that all hound’s human trainees) and shared here with permission from RobDar’s Houndsong Rescue.
RobDar’s HoundSong rescue
June 5 at 8:00am ·
Someone on another page was asking about Hounds. My reply was well accepted so I thought i would share it here (even though most of us know this already)
>>> Here is a basic underlying influence…a basic understanding…regarding your hound dog that I think most people miss.
Hounds do not believe that they need you. You are a convenience…like a favorite coffee cup or a favorite pair of shoes. If the cup is broken or the shoes are lost, we can get along just fine with another.
Let me explain:
Where other breeds of dogs like Labradors, Shepherds, Cattle dogs to an extent, and a HOST of others are bred to work WITH man. Meaning that their originally bred temperament is to work alongside man in cooperation to achieve a goal. The Cattle dog follows man commands to herd the livestock. The Lab follows the hunters commands to get the quarry – and so on and so forth. They are team mates of man. Neither can do their work without the other — and so they have been bred for eons to have that in their make up —to be anxious to please. Even the worst behaved Labrador cares when mom and dad are annoyed. It is in their DNA to make man happy.
Hounds —not so much.
Missing sandwich? I have NO idea what you are talking about!
Hounds have been bred for eons to be taken out to the edge of the woods or field and be let loose to go out and do what they do with NO INSTRUCTION from the hunter or handler. They go out and do their thing, all on their own. They make their own decisions and do their own work —and when that work is done and they have found their quarry —they command/call the hunter to come to them with those beautiful voices. (who is working for whom in that scenario?)
AHHROOOOOO!AHHROOOOO!
Do you see how your hound thinks differently?
Life with a Hound is far more like having a spouse than a dog. It is far more of a “cooperative effort” with all the give and take that implies. Hounds are not going to do what you say just because you have said it. You are secondary to their desire. There has to be something in it for them. There has to be a trade off. If there is no reward or benefit for the Hound, the Hound cares little what you are asking him/her to do. People incorrectly refer to this as being stubborn or worse, stupid. Hounds are actually neither of those things – they are just independent. They prioritize things differently than do other breeds. They prioritize differently and you are not always their priority. This is EXACTLY AS THEY SHOULD BE. They were bred to be this way. It is all necessary to be a Houndy Dawg.
When working with a Hound you have to always be thinking –how do I make myself the priority? What do I have to give this dog to make me more important than what it smells – or wants (and do not expect that anything will ever be 100% successful everytime – always be looking for your Hound to act like a Hound.)
We humans always think we are in charge of things. We think that we are top of the chain, the head honcho’s..and we naturally approach training our dogs and living with our dogs this way – as though we are in charge.
Your Hound doesn’t see it that way.
I don’t hear you !!
Your Hound – at best – sees you as a family member – as a sibling (if you are very fortunate- as a parent). Do you walk into your sister or brothers house, start barking orders and they hop to?
Mostly your Hound sees you as a good friend —and what do we do with our friends? When a friend does something for us, we return those favors. There is give and take. When a friendship is out of balance – when one friend takes and takes but does not give — the friendship suffers. It is okay for one friend to be the strong friend – the dominant friend in the partnership—but it is a partnership.
Hounds are happiest when their humans are humble.<<
A revisit for the “coonhound codebook” courtesy of Riian Cameron-Gauthier and her beautiful hounds — shared from #lifewithmyrescuedcoonhound facebook page
Should the hound’s human perpetuate an act that displeases the hound, said hound shall immediately display a judging, shaming or “side eye” expression.
Coonhound revised codebook 3512 (c) (7)
“Carter”‘post bathDaisyRileyB
Lacey
Bristol Sue
Winnie disapproves radio station selection CONSIDER YOURSELVES JUDGED!!!
“All trees that could possibly contain small woodland creatures will be viewed upwardly for a prolonged amount of time.”
Coonhound revised code 3411.04 (b) (4)
HALLOOOO!! HALLOOOO!!!! Squirrel sighted!!!
“If the aforementioned woodland creature is spotted in the tree, there shall be an attempt to climb said tree and furthermore the aforementioned woodland creature shall be barked at repeatedly.”
Article reposted from Wide Open Pets/Mateja Lane 2017
If you’re looking for a tireless partner who will adore long walks in the woods and who will be a real asset on your hunting trips, the Coonhound might be the perfect breed of dog for you. Coonhounds are a lovable, hardworking breed, and their intense tracking skills make them great partners for hunters.
At the same time, these dogs are loyal and affectionate, so they can double as family pets as long as you understand their energy levels and drive to track. When you consider the many dog breeds available, the Coonhound’s distinctive characteristics can definitely make it stand out.
The Coonhound Breeds
Even though they can be quite hard-headed and stubborn, Coonhounds are a type of dog that many dog owners quickly fall in love with. Within the Coonhound category, you’ll find many different breeds. The official Coonhound breeds include the Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Redtick Coonhound or American English Coonhound, English Treeing Walker Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, and Plott Hound. Each is considered a different breed in the American Kennel Club (AKC) registry.
Characteristics of Coonhounds
Coonhound breeds are known for their inquisitive charm and can be quite goofy. They are scent hounds and are most noticeable by their long ears and large bays. Coonhounds are working dogs, and if a Coonhound owner doesn’t hunt them, they need sufficient exercise to keep them mentally stimulated.
While they have incredible endurance and can be high-strung without sufficient exercise, Coonhounds are great nappers. Some people may call them “lazy” because they are normally sleeping if they aren’t on the trail, but most owners will agree they are just conserving their energy for the next time they are out and about.
Coonhounds are known for being intelligent and loving, and they enjoy spending time with humans. When hunting, these dogs are tireless and on constant alert. They can make great family dogs as they can become super affectionate when they trust you, but supervision due to their energy level is recommended.
The True Hunting Dog
These Coon dogs are fierce trackers.
This hunting dog breed possesses “cold noses,” meaning they can pick up scents from animals that had been there days before. Their floppy ears actually help bring out the scents from the brush underneath. Coonhounds also tree their quarry, keeping the animal up in the branches with his loud bays until his master comes.
Coon dogs make natural hunting partners. They’re known to hunt animals ranging from small animals like raccoons (their namesake), to big game like mountain lions. They make great hunting partners with positive reinforcement. Coonhounds are extremely treat motivated and most owners, especially if they are hunting them, utilize e-collar training. (Please use with care with help from a reliable dog trainer)
Adding a Coonhound to Your Home
Coonhounds generally don’t have that many health problems, but regular vet check-ups from puppyhood to when they are adult dogs are always important.
These hound dogs are often found in animal shelters, especially the ones who follow scents and find themselves lost. Rescue groups specifically include American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue that focuses on Coonhounds, coonhound mixes and Bloodhounds in shelters across America.
Another great resource for the hound group is the American Black and Tan Coonhound Club.
Coonhounds make excellent companions and adopting one may very well change your life.
Video shared from WideOpenPets March 2017
Do you have a Coonhound? Let us know in the comments below!
Ok -This is one of my first posts — and I am reposting (with a few edits) to reaffirm my dediction to getting the word out about the awesomenes of hounds — and also to admit that I am still woefully inadequate in the technology department so bear with me !!! The best advice in this process has been reading that a blog is a conversation – so here I go !! Talkin’ about hounds !! I love hounds — I totally LOVE them !!! And this is my platform to draw attention to the awesomeness of hounds !!
My goal is attention, awareness, education and support ! And I am excited to take you on this journey with me and my precous coonhound — Smiley Riley B
To anyone looking in from the outside, the coonhound world is fascinating. It has its own lingo, its own tests – Nite Hunts –its own Coon Hunting Etiquette – and even its own gear (can you ever have too many good coon squaller calls?). Adding diversity to the picture are the several lines that come with its enthusiastic proponents, and we’re looking at a rich tapestry of Coonhound diversity. What they all have in common (save the Plott which is a different story) are their canine ancestors who accompanied immigrants to the United States from Europe and settled largely in the American southeast.
We won’t go into the history of the Treeing Walker Coonhound which can be read here, but rather, we want to touch upon a dog called the Running Walker Coonhound, and what differences exist between the two.
In the “looks department,” or phenotypically speaking, there isn’t much difference beyond the Running Walker being a bit smaller and lighter.
In behavior, however, it’s a different dog entirely. Though both Treeing Walkers and Running Walkers descend from the same breeding stock over a century ago, Treeing Walkers were selectively bred for their ability to run game up trees, typically raccoons, bobcats, bears, etc., while Running Walkers don’t have the treeing instinct that their cousin has (hence, the name difference. See how that works? – grin). Running Walkers, then, don’t check trees, and prefer to stay on trails that stay on the ground. They are fast, intelligent, and possess the tenacity to follow their prey for longer distances, though some hunters are of the opinion that Running Walkers have shorter attention spans than the Treeing Walkers making them a bit more challenging to train. Running Walkers are ideally suited to hunt non-arboreal animals.
Image found on Pinterest identified as a Running Walker Coonhound will happily be credited upon receipt of information
