Dog Safety at Easter

Hmmm, Béibhinn the Education Dog wonders if she should chow down on a delicious Easter egg.  Don't do it Béibhinn!  While a sweet treat can be enjoyed every once and a while by us humans, chocolate is extremely dangerous for dogs. Here's why ...

 

• Many people are unaware that chocolate is poisonous to dogs.
• Chocolate makes dogs extremely sick and may even kill them.
• Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is safe for humans but not safe for dogs.
• The darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is for you doggy pal.
• As a rough guide, Dogs Trust estimates that 50g of plain chocolate could be enough to kill a small dog, such as a Yorkshire Terrier, while just 400g could be enough to kill an average size dog.

 So that everyone can have an egg-cellent Easter, remember these rules to keep your dog safe:

 

• Keep your chocolate in a safe place so your dog can't get to it.

• NEVER feed your dog chocolate meant for humans.

• If your Easter egg is missing and you think your dog may have stolen it, contact your vet straight away.

• Look out for any of the following symptoms; vomiting with blood, a sore tummy, extreme thirst, excitability, drooling, rapid heart rate and in severe cases, fits.

• If your dog is displaying any of these signs then take him immediately to your vet.

• The sooner your dog gets to a vet, the greater the chance of recovery from chocolate poisoning.

• If you want to treat your dog this Easter, stick to natural doggy snacks that are kinder to your canine.

 

The Education Team would like to wish everybody a Yappy Easter! xxx

Education Team - Dogs and Blogs



Did you know that the schools we visit often write about our workshops on their school blogs and websites?  The Education Team would like to thank all of the schools and students who have taken the time to write and share their experiences of a visit from Dogs Trust on the world wide web!  Here is just a selection of some of our favourite school websites: 
 
 
Fiona and Jake - Dublin and Eastern Education Team:
 

• http://stops.scoilnet.ie/blog/?p=1922
• http://ashbourneetns.ie/?m=201402
• http://maryhelpofchristians.ie/node/182

Deirdre, Sadhbh and Cónán - South East Education Team:

• http://duallans.scoilnet.ie/blog/?s=dogs+trust
• http://tinrylandns.ie/school-news/index.php/ms-meaney/dogs-trust-visit
• http://www.gaelscoilau.ie/ocaidi/13-14/dogs.htm

Aoife and Brave - South West Munster Education Team:

• http://desertsergesns.com/2013/11/25/the-dogs-trust/
• http://stpatricksgirls.net/?p=191
• http://www.clondulanens.org/?p=508

PS:  To find out if your school or organisation could have a FREE visit from a Dogs Trust Education Team, please contact education@dogstrust.ie.

A report from Davy in 3rd Class

 

South West Education Officer Aoife and her Education Dog Brave paid a lovely visit to Scoil Eoin Naofa in Cork. A little boy from 3rd class called Davy came to Aoife at the end of the day to show her a report he had written after the workshop. Both his teacher and Aoife were so impressed with his beautiful handwriting and how carefully he had written up his report. Davy had remembered all the key Safety messages Aoife and Brave had taught the pupils during her visit.   Aoife made it clear that we must never approach a dog who is on his own.  However, when we are meeting a dog who is with his owner, we should use the WALT method: Walk slowly over to the owner, Ask the Owner, Let the dog sniff you, Touch the dog gently.

 

A huge thank you to Davy for letting us share his brilliant report on the blog and to all the pupils and staff at Scoil Eoin Naofa who were so kind and welcoming to Aoife and Brave.