28/05/2025
*Seasonal Safety Alert*
As trainers, we love seeing the dogs explore the great outdoors - learning, sniffing, training and burning both physical and mental energy. BUT late Spring through to Autumn is also grass-seed season!
Grass seeds have an arrow shaped body with a pointed end which can hook into your dogs fur and pe*****te the skin.
Hidden Hazard: Grass seeds can burrow into paws, ears, eyes, nose and the mouth & can cause pain, infection, irritation - and in severe cases SURGERY!
Behaviour: Discomfort changes behaviour! A dog in pain may become reactive, reluctant to walk or appear as though they are not listening. This is not your dog being naughty - they are just trying to tell you something!
Prevention routine:
1️⃣ Inspection - A 60 second post walk inspection is far easier than rehabilitating an injury-related regression! Part the coat, examine the paws, toes, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, armpits, groin, tail for any hitch hikers!
2️⃣ Groom - Keep fur neatly trimmed especially around the paws and ears during peak months! Brush regularly!
3️⃣ Choose routes wisely - Avoid long grass and choose mowed paths / woodland / beaches etc.
4️⃣ Act fast - If you spot an embedded grass seed, redness, persistent licking, head shaking, or sudden sneezing - Contact your vet ASAP!
At Onward Dog Training, we incorporate teaching owners and their dogs how to complete a health check safely and make this fun for the dog! So if and when the day comes, your dog is ready to receive the support and care they need!
Share this post far and wide to keep your clients, friends, family and their four-legged companions safe this season!
