Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads, oh my: Encounters between dogs and venomous snakes can be dangerous. Luckily, like some insect stings, they are not always lethal. Stack the odds in your dog’s favor by equipping yourself with the right knowledge and him with the right training—and maybe even a rattlesnake vaccine. Where Do Snakes Live? If … Continue reading “Keeping Your Dog Safe From Snake Bites”
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The Orvis Dog Blog features informative posts on wide-ranging topics, including canine health, behavior and training, and the products your dog needs. Learn more about the Orvis-Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign, and our work supporting Petfinder Foundation’s dog rescue efforts.
What to Put in Your Hunting Dog First Aid Kit
You take every precaution to prevent injuries when you go wingshooting, waterfowl hunting, hiking, or when you embark on a training session with your dog. Though he’s steady to shot without fail, and you’ve outfitted him with a safety vest and locator bell, there’s always a risk of accidents in the field. Your dog can have a run-in with a porcupine and walk away with a snout full of quills, or encounter a venomous snake. Branches can lash him in the eye, or briars can lacerate his legs or paws. Because of these common dangers, it’s important you carry a well-stocked first aid kit for your dog each time you head out…
Read MoreWhich Water is Safe for Dogs to Drink
Photo by Gary, Madison
You’re hiking up a trail in the heat of the summer when you come to a stream. Your dog races ahead and wades in, drinking with every step. You console yourself with the fact that the stream is remote and running clear. But that pristine mountain stream likely isn’t as pure as you might like to believe. If mountain stream water isn’t clean enough to drink, what does that say about puddles and runoff in the city? We want to protect our dogs at all times, but if you allow your dog to drink non-potable water from potholes, sprinkler runoff, and other water sources during your daily walk, your dog is at risk…
Read MoreCommon Insect Stings and Bites on Dogs and What to Do
If there are bees or other stinging insects around, pay close attention to your dog.
Photo by Éric Tourneret, via Wikipedia
Your dog is sniffing happily around the back yard when she suddenly yelps and starts running around in circles. It’s a good bet she had a run-in with the business end of a bee. Dogs are more at risk of bee stings than humans because they explore the world with their snouts and their four paws pad through the grass and clover—exactly where bees buzz in search of nectar. Even the most well-trained dogs can end up with a bee sting, so it’s important…
Read MoreHow to Remove Dog Stains and Smells From Your Car
Photo via orvis.com
There are three easy ways to remove dog stains and smells from your car, using supplies you probably already have in your home: baking soda, mild soap and water, or vinegar and water. Read on to learn how to keep a clean and sweet-smelling car, even with ‘dog’ as your constant copilot.
Read MoreHow Far Can My Dog Hike?
Hiking with your dog can be incredibly rewarding, creating a deeper bond between you.
Photo by: Cindy Dunican
How far your dog can hike will vary significantly based on multiple factors, including her age, breed, and fitness level, as well as the length and difficulty of the hike. The easy trail at your local nature center is a far cry from hiking a 14er—a mountain with a peak above 14,000 feet. If you’re considering adding regular treks with your dog to your outdoor adventures, research, preparation, and training are critical before hitting the trail.
Read More9 Tips for Living with a Big Dog in a Small Space
Living with a big dog often requires a few adjustments.
Photo by By Calicodaisy – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dogs adapt well to unlikely situations—one reason they’ve put up with us for so long. But all dogs, big and small, can present different challenges at home. Living with a big dog in a small space, while it can be difficult, is not only possible but also potentially rewarding for a dog and his humans. Here are nine tips to make…
Read MoreHow to Best Work Alongside Your Dog, Part 6: The Retrieve
For the next post in our series, we will discuss one of my favorite ways to give Romi some mental and physical exercise. I find that working your dog’s mind and body every day (preferably in the morning) will help your dog . . .
Read MoreHow to Best Work Alongside Your Dog, Part 5: The Reliable Recall
As we found out in the previous post, “heel” is a great tool not only for establishing and maintaining control, but also to get some necessary exercise each day with your dog (ideally outside). Right now, we are all inside with our dogs more than usual, and . . .
Read MoreHow to Clean a Dog Collar
Dogs love mud, and they end up soiling their collars, as well as themselves.
Photo by Jody, Stevenson
No matter how clean your dog stays or how fresh his coat, the collar he wears will eventually absorb enough skin oils, dirt, and grime to develop an odor. Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors rolling in the mud, swimming in lakes and streams, chasing balls, or playing at the dog park are more prone to collar funk than the small lap dog who rarely ventures out and takes a weekly trip to the doggie salon. But eventually, all collars will need to be washed to keep them smelling nice—and to prevent unhygienic bacteria buildup.
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