Cottage Safety For Dogs

By Gillian Ridgeway

The summer time is in full swing, with the onslaught of city dwellers heading out to cottage country for their weekends of fun in the sun. Most people include the family dog, and even the family cat, on the excursions and it is important to make sure that everything is well planned for prior to the drive.

The water supply in cottage country can often be quite different to what we are normally accustomed to, and in fact most people are consuming bottled water on a regular basis. Keep this in mind for your pets. While you may not want to keep Sparky’s bowl replenished with bottled water, the tap water at the cottage may contribute to an upset tummy. One way around this is to fill a large water jug from your tap at home and pack it into the car. When at the cottage, you can transfer the water into smaller jugs to keep in the refrigerator.

Identification is a must on all pets, and especially when travelling. While many pets have the benefit of a microchip, it is still wise to make sure their collar has a tag that gives the information of the place you will be staying, or a cell phone number. Cats should wear breakaway collars especially designed for use outdoors. Even if you plan on keeping your pet leashed, or on a cat harness, it is still important to keep the identification on them, in case of a mishap and your pet scoots out the door unnoticed.

Always know the name, address and phone number of a Veterinarian in the neighborhood of your cottage. It can also be helpful to know the route in advance, or even to pay a visit once. This will come in handy in case of an emergency.

Speaking of emergencies, make sure your pet first aid kit is up to date. Include any medication your pet is on, and always store extra in case you decide to stay an extra few days. Store all medications in a waterproof container.

What is a evening at the cottage without a campfire. Fireside safety for your pet is the same as fireside safety for young children. Supervision is the key. Always keep your dog on a leash around an open fire pit. Teach your dog to lie nicely on his mat while at the fireside and that this is not the area for a game of fetch, no matter how good your aim is! Watch your dog around the waters edge. Many, in fact most, people assume that all dogs can swim and that is not always the case. Before you throw a stick out into the water for your dog to chase, make sure he is able to get back to shore. There are dogs who do not swim well, or that panic in the water. Supervise him at the lakefront until you are sure of his capabilities.

Cottage’s are a lot of fun for the whole family and if you keep safety in the forefront, you should have a great summer.

Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 33 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for TorontoBarks.com, Gillian also writes for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the Iams SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net

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