Prepare Your Dog for Emergencies
The west coast, California included, has seen a startling spike in wildfires. With smokey skies, poor air quality, and the looming threat of evacuation, many are left to wonder what they should be doing in case of an emergency. Nobody likes thinking about the worst case scenarios, but in the case of a natural disaster like an earthquake, fire, or flood, how can you keep yourself and your four-legged family members safe?
Training Skills for Emergencies
Of course at Clickstart, we have a few thoughts about what kinds of training you can do now to help keep your dog safe. Having the common language of training is a perfect way to communicate with your dog to keep him away from danger, and these specific behaviors may be especially helpful:
Recall: Having a dog who reliably comes when called, even in distracting environments, is a crucial safety skill. Remember that in the case of a true emergency, there could be unexpected distractions and the additional stress of your emotional state. The stronger your dog’s recall, the better chance you have that they will listen even in an emergency.
Collar Grabs: Many dogs don’t intrinsically enjoy having human hands reaching over their heads or grabbing them, but we may need to grab or lead them by the collar during an emergency. Starting with young puppies is ideal, but dogs of any age can learn to love having their collars touched!
Kennel Up: Even if you don’t ordinarily crate your dog, it’s important that they feel comfortable in a kennel should they need to be contained or transported in an emergency. Having a verbal cue for your pet to voluntarily enter their kennel can be extremely helpful, and you can even teach them the sound of the smoke alarm is an additional cue to run for the carrier or crate!
Pet CPR & First Aid: Training isn’t just for your dog! You can get yourself some training for emergencies by taking a Pet CPR & First Aid Class. Visit the Pet Tech website to find a class or instructor near you!
Knowing exactly what to do and where to go in the case of a natural disaster can make all the difference. You can take the time now to identify possible local places to board your pets if needed (daycare or boarding facilities, veterinarians, etc), as well as other pet-friendly lodging options like motels, hotels, or Airbnb locations. You may also want to select a trusted temporary or long-term caretaker for your pets should you be required to evacuate or re-locate without bringing your animals.
Helpful Tech
If you’re in the majority of people who carry smartphones everywhere, there are plenty of apps you can download for future use:
Pet First Aid by American Red Cross: This digital guide has photo and video guides detailing what to do in a wide variety of common medical emergencies.
Petlas or Bring Fido: Both of these apps include interactive maps of dog-friendly businesses and establishments.
Pawprint: This app allows you to download and keep up-to-date digital medical records for each of your pets.
Prepare a Go Bag
Lastly, you can have all the necessary supplies in a disaster preparedness kit. It is recommended that you have the following supplies ready to go in the case of an emergency:
Food and water for at least 3 days
Collapsable bowls
Collar with current tags
Medications
Pet first aid kit and guide book
A sealed plastic bag containing your pet’s photo, description, medical records, & behavior info
Sturdy leash and harness
Disinfectant and baby wipes
Poop bags
Travel carrier or crate
Slip lead
Blankets or towels
Grooming items
Comfort items (toys, treats, etc)
From all of us at Clickstart Dog Training Academy, stay safe and stay healthy!
