As summer approaches, dog owners will be heading to beaches, taking the boat out for that first outing on the lake or in the ocean. If you are like most dog owners, the family pet comes along for the ride. Boating requires safety for not only humans but for your dog as well.

The law requires a life jacket for every human occupant on the boat; however, nothing is required for your dog. Most pet owners are under the misconception that all dogs know how to swim. This is far from true, just ask the owners of pugs or bulldogs.

When these breeds hit the water, they sink like a rock. Basset Hounds and Dachshunds as well make poor swimmers; their long backs and short legs make it all most impossible to keep their head above water. Even breeds that seem just as at home in the water as they do on land can fall victim to drowning.

Which is why having a dog life jacket available for your dog while boating or even swimming at the beach is a must have for their protection. Although it may seem overly protective to outfit your dog in a life jacket on the beach, your dog will want to partake in the fun of sloshing around with the family and can easily drown if left unprotected.

In ground pools, also pose a danger for the family pet as well as children. Should your dog accidently chase a ball that lands in the pool your dog will follow. If this happens and your dog becomes trapped in the pool unable to climb out a pet owners instinct is to jump in and grab the dog.

When you do this, there are a few things you should be aware of; the first is that a scared frightened dog may bit and their nails will dig as you try to help them out of the pool. If you find your dog unconscious performing CPR and removing the water, out of their lungs is not unlike the treatment for humans.

1. Remove any obstruction.

Open the animals mouth and make sure the air passage is clear. If not remove the object obstructing the air passage.

2. Extend the head and give several artificial respirations:

A. For large dogs: close the animal’s jaw tightly and breathe into the nose. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.

B. For small dogs and cats you may be able to cover the nose and mouth with your mouth as you breathe. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.

3. Next perform chest compression

A. For large dogs you may be able to position the dogs on its back and compress the chest just like for humans.

B. For small dogs and cats as well as large dogs with funnel chests, you may need to lie the animal on its side and compress the side of the rib cage. Alternatively, you can position the animal on its back and press on both sides of the rib cage. Turn their head to the side as you compress the chest to allow any water to flow out of their lungs.

C. The rate of chest compressions varies with the size of the animal

i. Dogs over 60 lbs: 60 compressions per minute
ii. Animals 11 to 60 lbs: 80-100 compressions per minute
iii. Animals 10 lbs or less: 120 compressions per minute

4. Alternate breaths with compressions

The ratio of compressions to breaths should be approximately the same as for humans – 30:2 Continue doing this until the animal responds or begins to breathe on its own.

Prevention is the best medicine when comes to pet safety. Outfitting your four-legged family member in a dog life jacket will give you some peace of mind while enjoying a fun happy summer while boating. Keeping an in ground pool securely sectioned off and out of reach to both children and pets is more than worth the effort when compared to the unthinkable.

Spring has officially arrived and so has the rainy, damp, and often fluctuating temperatures. Pet parents are sometimes taken by surprise when the weather changes while on a routine walk. For this reason, it is a great idea to check the dog raincoats you have and choose the right one before embarking on your walk.

Dogs are just as susceptible to the cold and flu season as their human companions are. Keeping them dry and warm while walking outside is key to prevention.  Besides the winter dog coat, havening a dog raincoat that will keep your pooch dry should also be in your dog’s wardrobe.

It is true that most dog breeds do have a protective layer of fur designed to keep them dry in rainy weather; however, couple the rain with cold damp temperatures and a runny nose and fever are sure to follow.  Treating the common cold in dogs is not unlike treating a cold for their pet parents. It needs to run its course as well as possibly giving antibiotics prescribed by your vet.

Canine influenza is a different story. Like the flu in humans, it is viral and bacterial spread. If your dogs’ immune system is weakened by prolonged exposure to fluctuating weather, and they are boarded or come in contact with dogs showing systems of the flu, the virus will spread quickly. Although there is a canine flu vaccine available, it is still in its infancy stage.

Before you board your dog or allow the neighborhood dog walker take your pet for walk make sure the dogs that will be in close contact with your dog are healthy and symptom free. If your dog is exhibiting flu like symptoms the first thing you should do is contact your vet right away. The last thing you should do is board your dog exposing other pets to canine influenza.

Canine influenza if left untreated is deadly for dogs. This best preventative is being prepared by keeping your dog warm and dry with an appropriate dog raincoat, while boarding ensure the pets are healthy, and contact your vet asking about the canine influenza vaccine.

by Remarkable Dogs

Paw protectors for your dog is one of the most important elements of outdoor gear a pet owner can provide. Many pet owners are under the impression that the pads on their paws will protect them while running through the field, walking along the street even playing at the dog park. The pads on a dogs paw is tougher than that of bottom of their pet parent’s feet, however they are at risk.

The route you take while walking your dog may be safe, others can cause serious problems. Extreme temperatures either hot or cold can damage the pads on your dog’s paws. In hot weather, the asphalt can be like walking on red-hot coals literally burning and tearing away the skin on their paws.

Without paw protectors in the snowy cold weather of winter, snow can build up between paws melt and then freeze. This build can cause frostbite or become hard enough to tear into the skin leaving an open wound vulnerable to infection if left untreated.  The wood surface of untreated decks often found in some parks will leave behind splinters that lodge themselves in your dog’s paws again causing infection. If left on treated a serious infection could result in amputation.

Paw protectors add a layer of safety against the harsh elements of extreme temperatures. This comes as no surprise to sled dog owners and their Husky’s. Although these dogs have been breed to resist the cold with their double insulating fur, their paws are not.

Although humans are brought up wearing shoes to protect our feet as infants, your dog will take a little time to adjust the first time you outfit him/her with paw protectors. The experience will look like something out of America’s Funniest Home Video’s but stick with the goal. Once your dog walks, runs, and plays they will get used the feeling.

Every compassionate dog owner has an innate desire to protect his or her dog from harm. Outfitting your dog in paw protectors gives pet owners another opportunity to look out for their dog. If you like running with your dog through your neighborhood along concrete sidewalks where the crossing of clean streets is your route then perhaps paw protectors are unnecessary. But those same sidewalks and streets in winter may be a different story.

At the end of the day be conscience of the where your dog walks and plays as well as the weather conditions. As your dog will protect you from harm as responsible pet parents, it is our duty to protect them.

As a dog owner, do you have a dog outfit for your wagging wonder? If you answered yes, then you are not alone. Over the past several years, the dog apparel industry has exploded as a growing number of pet owners have started dressing their

Dog Dress

canine companions. No doubt, this trend began with the Hollywood film industry portraying dog actors as fashion conscience complimenting their human sidekicks. Movies such as Legally Blonde and Hotel for Dog’s coupled with Hollywood celebrities’ personal pooches dressing to match their owners and it is no wonder the dog apparel industry has spiked.

In the not so distant past pet owners would not have dreamed of outfitting their pet in a dog dress or dog costume for a private party let alone prancing around in public with their dog in fashion functional dog apparel. Today, however, fashionably accessorized dogs do not have to be Hollywood stars. People are dressing their dogs in Halloween costumes and seating with people watching their favorite sports team with Fido

Dog T-Shirt

fashionably dressed in a dog t-shirt displaying the team logo. You can even outfit your dog in her own bridesmaid dog dress to take part in your nuptials.

The evolution of the dog apparel industry is not unlike the human clothing industry. Dog apparel began with functional only clothing from dog coats and dog sweaters designed specifically as protection from foul weather. As people began to knit their own dog sweaters they added a little fashion to the style, sizes fit their dog’s body and so on. Today, dog apparel is only limited by imagination while still keeping true to function and protection.

As the pet industry continues to grow with dog friendly hotels, restaurants and bars so will dog apparel. Pet owners more and more are taking their canines on vacation where swimming and boating are part of the daily activities. Providing a dog life vest is the result of a conscience pet owner instead of a fashion accessory. Apartment living is once again in fashion so too will the need for dog coats and dog sweaters not to mention dog boots for not just for those snowy days but for harmful debris a dog could walk through.

Dog Coat

Fall is approaching and with it comes cooler weather; shorthaired dogs and smaller breeds will benefit from a warm dog coat or dog sweater. If you’re a dog owner and have yet to experience dog apparel and what it will do for the family pet, this is a great place to start. Browse through the dog apparel selection at Remarkable Dogs and have some fun. Let your dog get into the festivities with the whole family.

by Remarkable Dogs