Diaster Plan Tips

Put together an emergency kit.  Backpacks or duffle bags are great choices for a kit.  Here are some things to include in your kit.

1. Two week supply of food for your dog/dogs.  Include some treats for them as well.
2. Water a minimum of a gallon per day.  Keep in mind larger dogs will require more water than small dogs. 
3. If your dog is on medication; be sure to include that.
4. Food/water bowls for your dog.
5. Pick-up bags.
6. A play toy can be a great distraction.

You may find in a diaster that you will be on your own for several days.  Depending on the extent of the disaster; help may not arrive for several days. 

(more tomorrow from Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Diaster Plan Tips

It doesn't matter where you live, diasters can happen.  With that being said, do you have a diaster plan?  Have you included your dog in those plans?  Diasters come in all shapes and sizes and they also come with no warning.  It really is a good idea to put together a diaster plan for your family and include your pets in that plan.  Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, fires, terrorist attacks, landslides, power outages, hurricanes, or even nuclear reactor events are some disasters that can affect you. 


Start by creating an emergency contact list.  Diasters occur without warning; you might not even be at home when a disater strikes.  The contact list should include people near your home so they can get there quickly.  One of your neighbors or a family member, or a friend that lives nearby should be considered.  Anyone on your contact list will need access to your home and property, you will need to share keys and alarm codes with them. 

(more tomorrow from Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Colors And Markings

Here is a list of the AKC recognized colors and markings for Saint Bernards. 

• Brindle and White (Code 059)
• Brown and White (Code 063)
• Mahogany and White (Code 130)
• Orange and White (Code 134)
• Red and White (Code 146)
• Rust and White (Code 162)
• White and Brown (Code 204)
• White and Orange (Code 213)
• White and Red (Code 214)
• Black Mask (Code 004)

In the color combinations listed above, the first color listed is the more dominant color on the dog's coat.  Saint Bernards have two coat types (long-haired and short-haired) these colors and markings apply for both coat types. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Canine Courteous

Are you and your dog being canine courteous?  Maybe you have not given that much thought; so often I think we forget that some people just don't like dogs or cats.  Unless you are living in a remote area you encounter people daily.  Here are a few tips to be canine courteous:

1. Train your dog not to be a nuisance barker.
2. Clean up after your dog.
3. In public areas keep your dog on a leash.
4. Socialize your dog so that they exhibit good behavior around around other dogs and people.
5. Groom your dog regularly.
6. Don't let your dog run loose in the neighborhood, they can be destructive with property.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Socialization Of Dogs Should Include

Most pet owners understand the importance of socializing their puppy or dog.  Once that young puppy is vaccinated you want to introduce them to the wonderful world around them.  You start with family, add friends, and then move on to strangers.  Not only do you want them to meet a lot of people, you want them to meet a lot of dogs.  I should adjust the last part to read a lot of well behaved dogs.  I say well behaved because you don't want a young puppy or an adult dog traumatized by a dog encounter gone terribly wrong. 

Your socializing should include people from a variety of backgrounds, toddlers, teens, adults, and elderly.  People from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.  Be sure to include handicap individuals; people in wheelchairs, those with canes, and walkers as well.  Blind individuals especially those using a cane with the roller ball on the tip.  Injured individuals on crutches or those with casts on their limbs.  Large and small people, short and tall people, and those that fall in between. 

We don't give it much thought, but dogs many times don't know what to think about someone with a hat on their head.  Bulky overcoats can make an individual seems overly large and scary.  Long flowing skirts on women can be startling as well. 

Someone on a bicycle, roller skates, skateboards, whizzing past can cause them to bolt.  They might even want to chase after them.  What about a baby stroller? 

There's a wonderful world out there for your dog and you to explore.  Your job will be to help them be comfortable around diversity. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Halloween Dog Drool Bibs

Brandykegs has several dog drool bibs; two patterns are Halloween themed, check them out by visiting our store.

Fearful Dogs

People with motorcycles, or loud cars or trucks; give those of us out their walking our dogs a break.  It is pretty sad that you get your jollies by startling someone on the sidewalk with your loud vehicle.

Keep an open line of communication with your neighbors whether they like dogs or not.  Let them know that they can talk to you if your dog is being a nuisance.  Open communication will go a long way toward keeping verbal or physical abuse out of the picture. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Fearful Dogs

If separation from you seems to be the trigger for anxiety or fear.  Make some changes in how you leave your dog.  Don’t make a big production that you are leaving.  Do some practices with leaving, pick up your keys and walk out the door, then come back in.  Don’t try to sneak out; you probably do more damage with that than you realize.

Never use a vacuum cleaner or lawnmower to chase your dog.  Take the time to actually play and run with your dog. Throwing a ball, playing tug is good exercise for both of you. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Fearful Dogs

Determining what is triggering fear in your dog may actually be more difficult than helping them to overcome their fear.  Separation from you, new people, new home, noises, verbal or physical abuse can cause anxiety and fear in our dogs.  It becomes very difficult to find the underlying cause for fear or anxiety if we were not there when it occurred.  I have seen people take a vacuum cleaner and chase a dog thinking they are playing.  This is an awful thing to do and can be very frightening to a dog.  I have seen the same scenario with lawnmowers.  People on motorcycles often rev up their bike while passing someone walking their dog.  Maybe you have a neighbor who hates dogs, verbal or physical abuse can occur with your dog. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Fearful Dogs

Whenever you are training your dog, be sure it is a calm environment for both of you.  If either of you become bored with the training, stop and pick it up later that day or the next.  Target training is a good foundation tool that can be used to teach your dog obedience, rally, or agility training.  It is also a good foundation tool for training service animals.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs