FAQs Wanted

What do i do if my dog is overheating?

If your dog is panting heavily and becoming lethargic you must act quickly to lower their temperature. Place them in a cool place and either hose them down with cool (not freezing) water or cover them with a wet towel and contact a vet.



What do i do if i suspect my dog has bloat?

Bloat is very serious and can kill a dog very quickly so immediate action is essential if you suspect bloat.

If your dogs stomach is swelling out, s/he is retching, bringing up white foam and bile, seems in great distress, is unable to pass stool and is panting heavily for no reason it is possible s/he has bloat (or a twisting of the stomach.) In cases of bloat it is essential to get your dog to a vet immediately as this is classified as an emergency. While waiting for a vet or on the way to a vets try to keep your dog standing and moving.



What do i do if my dog is choking?

The first reaction to a choking dog is to put your hand into their mouth to remove any obtrusions. NEVER DO THIS, you will push the object further down and possibly get severely bitten. If your dog is choking use the canine equivalent of the heimlich maneuver.

Here are instructions on how to do this safely:
(1) Grab your dog by the front legs and bring it's body close to your chest.
(2) Make a fist with your writing hand and place it just below the rib cage, cover this hand with your other hand in an open palm.
(3) Pull your hands inwards toward you, and then upwards under the dogs ribcage. Repeat this five times.
(4) If the object has not been spat out, use a spoon or another object of the like to open your dogs mouth and see if you can see anything. If you can again use a spoon or other object to try and remove the object.
(5) If you are unable to remove the object, the next step is to place your dog on all fours.
(6) Place one hand under the rib cage and push up slightly, and slap you dog 5 times between the shoulder blades. When doing this use the palm of your hand to slap the dog in an upward movement towards the head (never hitting the head of course)
(7) Again use the spoon to check for any objects in the mouth.

If these steps fail you will need to rush to a vet.


What do i do if my dog is attacking?

If your dog unfortunately attacks another person or another dog, do not attempt to free them by putting your hands anywhere near the dog’s head or mouth. NEVER try to pull the dog away by pulling on its collar as you are in the danger zone and pulling will cause the dogs teeth to tare the flesh as opposed to puncturing it (which in these cases is preferable.)

(1)For a dog on person attack:
(1) Firstly try the "LEAVE" command if your dog is trained to do so. However this is very unlikely to work unless your dog is a trained attack dog (Try this for all stages.)
(2) If you have no ropes or leads take off an item of clothing or grab a teddy bear or cushion and attempt to get the dog attacking that instead, by waving it in its face and around its mouth. The dog’s mouth will bite whatever is in its way at the time. If you are able to get the dog attacking the object try to get your animal from the person it is attacking. You may have to then wrestle the dog to the ground and pin its head down until it has calmed down.
(3) Wait for the authorities to arrive as leaving can be taken as running from the scene of a crime, which responsible dog owners do not do.

(2)For a dog on dog attack:
(1) Grab a nearby object such as your lead or a rope and attempt to get this around the dogs (or the most dominant dogs) back leg at the loin (top of the leg) and tighten it. Then drag this dog to a fence or tree and tie it up tight or have someone hold it fast. During this the fight will still be doing on unless the submissive dog has been able to get away, so try to stay out of the way of the heads.
(2) If there are two dogs fighting or attacking get another lead or rope and do the same to the second dog. When this one gets free it will still attempt to go back for more so run the dog in circles away from the dog already tied up.
(3) If you have successfully broken up the fight you must restrain the dog/s until the authorities are there. Tie them up securely to a fence or tree and GET EVERYONE away from them. They will be very highly strung and will probably attack anything, even you.
(4) If you are unable to get the dogs away from each other you will have to leave them to fight while you get help.
If both dogs belong to you, call someone who can come and take one dog back home, to a different room or to the vets. Do not attempt to travel the dogs together.

(3)For a dog on livestock attack:
(1) Unfortunately if your dog attacks a horse or cow or sheep there is not much you can do as these are powerful animals and will harm you worse than your dog can.
(2) Stay clear of the fight, the animal will usually be able to fend the dog off its self, be that by kicking it or charging it. Sheep are less able to fend themselves but you will just have to keep attempting to call your dog back.
(3) If a farmer shows up with a gun there is nothing you can do, farmers have the legal right to shoot any animal in the process of attacking their animals. However the right stops IMMEDIATELY if there is no attack or after the attack (i.e. as soon as the dog is not physically attacking. Running around and worrying animals is NOT attacking)
(4) If your dog is attacking a horse and rider, tell the rider NOT to ride away as this will make your dog give chase. Ask them to try and keep their horse as calm as possible while you retrieve your dog using method 2.1