We get asked these questions a lot, "Why should I train my dog" or "What are the benefits to training my dog"? The answer may not be as simple as most people think. The need or desire to train a dog varies from person to person and breed to breed. But the one thing we have learned that is universal, is that a trained dog, truly has a better quality of life. When planning vacations or weekend get aways, most families have to make additional accommodations and arrangements to Board or Kennel their furry family member. With a trained and obedient dog, the only additional accommodations a family will have to make is, selecting a hotel or Air B&B that allows dogs. Instead of your dog spending "your" vacation looking at the world through the bars of a crate or kennel run, they get to experience "your" vacation with you. They get to enjoy the beach, lake, or hit the hiking trails with you. With a trained and obedient dog, you'll be able to enjoy a new found freedom of being able to take your furry family member with you everywhere. To accomplish this, it will require dedication, time and effort on your part.  Keep in mind that they are willing to sacrifice themselves for us, so the least we can do is commit ourselves to getting them properly trained. Remember that they are just a part of our life, no matter how big or small, but we are their whole life and their world revolves around us. It's never too early or too late, to start training your dog. When you're ready to take your furry friend to the next level, let us help you achieve those obedience goals. 

If a copperhead snake bites your dog in SC, follow these tips to save the pup

BY PATRICK MCCRELESS

UPDATED JULY 09, 2024 8:25 AM

Copperhead snakes can be hard to spot when they hide among dead leaves. LAUREN WITTEClarion Ledger

If a slithery copperhead bites your four-legged friend out on a walk, what should you do?

Now deep into summer, many dog owners will take their pets out on adventures, hikes or to play in state parks. But as the warmer temperatures entice dogs to play outside, they also encourage more snakes to show their scaly heads, creating potential risk.

Of the six venomous snakes in South Carolina, the copperhead is the most common. Here is information on how to identify copperheads and what veterinarians recommend pet owners should know and do if they believe their dog has been bitten.

IDENTIFYING A COPPERHEAD

The copperhead gets its name from the coppery-tan color on its head and on parts of its body, Clemson Cooperative Extension states. Copperheads have triangular-shaped heads, similar to an arrowhead and can grow up to 4 feet long. They are found in both wet and dry hardwood forests.

Copperheads also feature an hourglass-shaped pattern on their bodies — from the head down to the tail. When curled up, this camouflage can make them look like a pile of leaves. And like most other venomous snakes in South Carolina, copperheads have yellow eyes with black vertical and elliptical pupils.

COPPERHEAD BITE SEVERITY

According to the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, the size of the pet and location of the venomous bite will determine the severity. Dogs are most commonly bitten in the face, tongue, eyes and neck. Bites in these areas are more serious since the venom is often delivered directly into the victim’s bloodstream. Also, adult snakes and juveniles may inject different amounts of venom.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS BITTEN

· Tissue swelling begins within minutes. Other tell-tale signs can be excessive drooling, foaming at the mouth and sudden tiredness.

· Keep the animal as quiet as possible. Activity increases the distribution of the venom.

· Seek veterinary care immediately. Appropriate veterinary care includes pain management, infection prevention, anti-inflammatory therapy, antivenin administration and management of any other concurrent problems such as open wounds or blood clotting disorders.

· Several hours of veterinary observation is recommended to ensure the animal is OK after treatment of the snake bite.

SNAKE BITE TREATMENTS TO AVOID

There are several “old wives tales” regarding treatment of venomous snakebites at home or in the field. These include application of ice to the bite site to constrict blood vessels and slow spread of the toxin, as well as making cuts in the skin near the bite wound to encourage the toxin to be “bled” from the body. Other myths include directly sucking on the wound to try to draw the venom out through where it entered or applying a tourniquet to the limb above the bite to contain the toxin and prevent its spread through the body. 

However, research has shown that these steps do not improve outcome and rather can cause worse illness or make treatment more difficult in the long run. Instead, immediate and aggressive evaluation and treatment by a veterinarian is advised.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Most snake bites in pets are to the face, neck, and limbs, since they are sniffing around objects where snakes tend to hide. To avoid these chance encounters, keep these tips in mind.

· Keep your yard tidy by clearing away undergrowth, toys, and tools that make great hiding places for snakes.

· Keep walkways clear of brush, flowers and shrubs.

· Clean up any spilled food, fruit or bird seed, which can attract rodents-and therefore snakes-to your yard.

· When walking pets, keep them on a leash.

· Steer your pet clear of long grasses, bushes, timber, and rocks which provide camouflage.

· Snakes can strike across a distance equal to about half their body length. If you see a snake, head back the way you came.

· Familiarize yourself with snakes who are common in your area. In the event of a bite, identifying the type of snake may help with your pet’s treatment.

This story was originally published July 09, 2024 6:00 AM.

PATRICK MCCRELESS

803-771-8353

Patrick McCreless is the service journalism editor for The State, where he and a team of reporters write about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.

* From the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services

As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a “service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”

The ADA limits the definition of Service Animals to dogs and miniature horses. Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and companion dogs are not Service Animals and are not afforded the same privileges in public places. For more information, see the ADA’s list of Frequently Asked Questions here. See below for additional information and forms related to service animals in North Carolina.

Service Animal Registration Information

• Registering a service animal or a service animal in training is voluntary; registration is not required.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states, “A public entity may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. A public entity shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.” 
• If you want to register, please fill out the first page and sign both pages. Please have the trainer fill out and sign the second page.
• If you trained a service animal yourself instead of working with a trainer, please provide a letter signed by a witness to verify what work or tasks the animal has been trained to perform.
• If your application is complete, DVRS will send you a registration tag for the animal’s collar and an identification card you can carry in a wallet.

• ServiceAnimalRegistration 10 2019
• Welcoming Your Customers Who Use Service Animals Infographic

Just like us, our dogs need to be climatized and adjust to the changing weather and seasons. As a responsible dog owner, we need to pay close attention to our fur-goblins when they are outside in the cold. Much like humans, dogs tend to drink less in cooler temperatures, which in turn allows them to become dehydrated. We need to encourage them to drink plenty of water when outside in the cold weather. The most commonly susceptible body parts for frostbite are the dogs paws, ears and tail. We need to pay special attention to their paws, more specifically, their pads. Keep an eye on their metacarpal pad (the large heart shaped pad) and the digital pads (four smaller pads that support the dog's weight), the carpal pad (smaller pad higher up on the paw) and even the thin skin that is webbed between their toes. Some precautions we can take to help protect them are, fitting them with a good pair of boots (these make take some time to get use to) or when in a bind, you can use Vaseline to coat their pads. When you don't have any protective clothing available, its suggested that you limit their outside time to 20 minutes or less.