10 on the Fly Dog Tips

Lessons learned on the water and in the vets office

By Lost Coast Outfitters

July 21^st, 2018

If you are a regular reader you have likely gathered that Diesel, my yellow lab, goes everywhere with me. Having a fishing dog is not always as glamorous as it seems. If you are a dog owner then you know what I am talking about. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, he manages to surprise me. Here are a few tips that I have learned to keep D out of the vet and on the water.

Tip #1 is “Rule #1, don’t panic.”

You may find yourself in some challenging situations with your pup. Panicking only leads to bad decisions. Take a deep breath and really analyze the situation.

Tip #2 Improve upset stomach or diarrhea with pumpkin.

I keep pure canned pumpkin around for just this occasion. If D will still eat I give him half pumpkin and half kibble. If it is really bad, a mixture of grilled ground turkey and pumpkin is usually enough to get him to eat and solidify his path to recovery… if you know what I mean. Read more

TIp #3 Pepto Bismal

Pepto works the same way on your pooch as it does on you. Read More.

Tip #4 How to Remove Ticks

As anglers we are no strangers to these nasty little buggers and our dogs follow us through through some tick infested country, but they are naked! Grab the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible with forceps or tweezers . Pull outward in a straight, steady motion, making sure that you’ve removed the entire tick. Read more

Tip #5 How to De-Skunk your pooch.

“That’s a funny looking cat” Diesel thinks Immediately cover your dog with this concoction: 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide (available at your local pharmacy) ¼ cup baking soda 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap. Don’t let the mixture sit on them too long because it can bleach their fur. Shampoo. Then repeat… trust me. Read More

Tip #6 How to induce vomit.

Uh oh he ate a %#!*$## dead salmon. Time to make you pooch puke. Using a syringe and hydrogen peroxide will induce your dog to vomit up that salmon carcass he just ate. Eating dead salmon can lead to salmon poising, something that a serious dose of antibiotics can cure. Read More

Tip #7 Stave off dehydration.

Your pooch’s puking and diarrhea results in dehydration. Mix pedialyte with their water and make sure it drinks. If Diesel stops drinking we go straight to the vet.

Tip #8 Cool a hot spot.

Clip fur around hot spot. Use Domeboro’s solution, an astringent sold OTC at pharmacies. (It comes in packets; mix and use according to directions on the label) Use a buff to cover.

Tip #9 Be prepared to give a bath.

Bring biodegradable soap, & keep a towel handy. It could be dead salmon or poison oak. Either way you are going to want get it off of him before the ride home or tent cuddle sesh, take em to the river and give em a good bath.

Tip #10 Good training & judgement.

You can’t expect that your dog will always make the right decision. Always encourage good behavior and scold your dog when they don’t mind you. D hates being a bad dog.