Would you know how to help your dog in an emergency?
Many dog owners would probably answer no to this question. Knowing CPR is important, but would you also know what to do if your dog were bleeding, choking, having a seizure, overheating, or had eaten something they shouldn’t have? Would you know if you should call the vet at 2am or wait until the morning? Googling the answer in a First Aid emergency is too slow and unreliable; your dog needs your immediate action.
What is dog First Aid?
At its most basic, dog First Aid is about giving immediate assistance to your dog before you take them to the vet, thereby increasing their chance of survival and providing the best possible outcome.
Prevention is better than cure!
Keep your dog safe
- Regularly check your dog over so you know their ‘normal’
- Get regular check-ups at your vet for preventative care
- Have a plan if you go out on a hot day. Check out my blog post on managing dogs in the hot weather
- Have a plan if you are walking near cliff edges / water / picnics / livestock etc.
Train your dog
- Can you call your dog away if they get too close to something dangerous?
- Can you handle your dog all over their body without them becoming agitated?
- Please contact me if you need help with training
Dog First Aid course
Dog First Aid course – overview
A dog First Aid course will empower you with the practical skills and confidence to know what to do in a life-threatening situation.
Dog First Aid training also gives you the skills to assess what is ‘normal’ for your dog… their energy level, behaviour, physical condition, and vital signs.
Dog First Aid course – content
Dog First Aid courses may vary slightly but these are some common areas that are covered:
- CPR
- Bleeding
- Seizures
- Shock
- Burns and Scalds
- Poisoning
- Heat stroke
- Choking
Dog First Aid course – practical
The fun part of any course is the practical bit!
CPR
Dog CPR, like human CPR, has a relatively low success rate. It is important to have realistic expectations before you start. However, not trying has a zero success rate! Your aim is to give your dog the best possible chance.
Every second counts, so knowing how to quickly assess the situation, do chest compressions, give rescue breaths, and reassess is vital. Having the confidence to do this could be life-saving for your dog.
Bandaging
Bandaging is a great practical exercise. This may be a leg, ear, tail, or anything else that comes to hand. Using a stuffed toy dog is a good way to start practising this! Being able to stop bleeding may be life-saving for your dog.
Dog First Aid course – conclusion
You should come away from a dog First Aid course with a better understanding of what is ‘normal’ for your dog. How to deal with common problems and emergency situations. The most important thing you should come away with is the experience and confidence to act.
My First Aid story
I have attended human First Aid training several times over the years and have been a First Aider at work. I managed to avoid anything serious during that time; however, heart attacks and seizures did occasionally occur on my days off!
As a dog trainer, it is my professional responsibility to keep my CPD dog First Aid skills up to date. I have therefore completed several dog First Aid courses, including an online course during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have only been unlucky enough to face a dog First Aid emergency once in my life. Tragically, it didn’t work out, but I was still able to try. I believe that if I did not have dog First Aid training, I would have always wondered ‘what if…’
Sussex Dog First Aid training courses
I recently attended my third course with the Dog First Aid organisation. Their trainers cover specific locations across the UK.
Kathy Hobson is the trainer for all of Sussex. The course was held in a hall in Brighton, providing space for a PowerPoint presentation, discussions, and practical exercises.
Kathy is clearly passionate about her work and has a pragmatic, engaging, and enthusiastic style. She clearly knows her material rather than just reading bullet points from a screen.
She was patient during practical exercises and very open to questions during discussions.
I highly recommend her training.
Dog First Aid training – the next step
If you have a dog, then you have a responsibility to be prepared for an emergency! Spending half a day of your life learning dog First Aid skills is a great investment of your time. Even if you have done dog First Aid training before, a refresher course will give you the opportunity to practice your skills and gain peace of mind that you would still know what to do in an emergency.
Sussex Dog First Aid provide training across East and West Sussex.
Use this 10% discount code now to book a course: DISC10CW
Subject to their availability and terms and conditions.
Disclosure
Sussex Dog First Aid offers me dog First Aid refresher training in exchange for providing referrals.
Mike Garner is a dog trainer and behaviourist at Rainbow Dogs in Brighton & Hove, Sussex.
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