|
tearing fences down, and others are perfectly content to stay
home behind a ratty old fence that could be knocked down with
very little effort. If you’re not sure what kind of dog you
have, make sure your fence is too tall to climb (over four
feet), too deep to dig under, and too strong to tear apart. Tying your dog up can cause problems when leads become wrapped around trees or poles, preventing the dog from being able to reach his water dish or from getting out of the weather. If you must tie your dog, make sure he’s on a long line, and that he has more than one way to get to water. Usually, people tie their dogs up to make up for inadequate fencing: it’s much safer for the dog if you invest in a well-built fence in the first place. (And building a fence is great exercise, as it includes digging post-holes, hammering, measuring, leveling and painting.)
Outdoor dogs need a place to retreat to in case of fierce sun, rain or snow, or a strong need for a nap. Dog houses are the answer: make sure that the house is the right size – big enough to get into comfortably and small enough to retain that cozy cave-like feeling. If your dog is tied up, make sure there’s nothing that can catch the lead and trap your dog inside the house.
Dogs who spend most of their time outside also tend to pick up dirt, ticks and fleas easier than indoor dogs. Make sure your dog is bathed regularly, and use a good parasite-protection program such as Advantage to keep him free of nasty critters that may make him ill. Occasionally, an outdoor dog will have a run-in with a skunk. The classic home remedy is to wash him with tomato juice, and then to wait until the smell eventually wears off. If your dog is sprayed in the face by a skunk, take him to the vet.
Porcupines can be very dangerous to dogs. They are slow-moving and nocturnal, and your dog may think he’s found the ideal prey until his mouth closes on a set of viciously sharp spines. The pain is tremendous and maddening. If you can, the best thing to do is to get your dog to the vet immediately: the vet can sedate him and remove the quills. If you’re in the middle of nowhere and have to do the job yourself, you can remove the quills by first cutting off the ends, then pulling the quill out. Ideally, you will have someone else to help hold the dog, because your dog will be in so much pain that he will try to run away or even bite you as you try to help him.
Porcupine quills are hollow, so that when they enter flesh, they create a vacuum effect that makes them really hard to remove. They are also stronger and thicker than you might think: use a pair of strong shears to cut off the tips, releasing the vacuum. Then, pull them out with pliers. Treat the wounds with antibiotic ointment, and get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. If your dog is unlucky enough to get a quill in the eye, wrap him tightly in a towel so he can’t claw at it, and take him to the vet. Keep his head as still as possible. Don’t try to remove quills from the eye yourself.
Outdoor dogs also face the possibility of being teased by squirrels, birds or children. If your dog is barking madly for no particular reason you can see, check to see if squirrels or even blue jays are teasing him before deciding that he’s just gone nuts. Protect him from kids’ teasing by either putting up a taller and more opaque fence or moving the dog away when kids are on the street.
|
