Dogs are curious. If you are a puppy owner, then you know this is especially true for your pup. As dogs explore, they tend to use their mouths to check things out. Whether the dog gets a hold of something he shouldn’t, an uninformed owner gives him an inappropriate toy, or he just gets too caught up in eating dinner, a choking dog is an emergency. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does happen you should be prepared to save your pup’s life.

This is not an article that should be read when a dog starts choking. Instead, this article is meant to educate you on what will need to be done with a choking pooch. It is up to you to learn how to administer the Heimlich maneuver and CPR to an animal. Taking a few minutes out of your day to learn these procedures from a professional can save your pet’s life. Call your local animal shelter or humane society to find out information about pet first aid classes.

In order to save a choking pooch, you need to be able to recognize that he is choking in the first place. Pay attention to his body language. He may start circling or exhibit anxious behaviors. He may attempt to cough with no avail, or he may even try to gag himself. If your pup does not appear to be breathing, then work fast! With no air, your pooch will become unconscious. Have a family member call for help, while you start trying to help your pooch.

If he is overanxious or refusing to sit still, then you may need someone to help you hold him. Don’t get angry with him; remember, this is a frightening situation for your pet! Open your dog’s mouth and pull out his tongue. Grab a flashlight and look inside. Sometimes, you will be able to see what is lodged in his throat. If this is the case, then open his mouth wide and reach your hand inside. Try to grab the item and manually remove it. If you are unable to reach or see the item, then move on to the next step.

If your dog is not too large, then try to pick him up by his hindquarters. Suspend him upside down in the air. Gravity can be a huge help in removing the item. Check to see if the item is now visible. If your dog is too big to suspend, then put him in the wheelbarrow position. Lift his hindquarters, while he holds himself up on his front legs. If your pooch is unconscious, then you will definitely need help doing this, or you will need to come up with a way to do it on your own.

If you are still unable to remove the object, then it is time to perform the Heimlich maneuver. If you are familiar with how to perform the Heimlich on a human, then you will not have trouble performing it on your pet. Sit behind your pet and make sure he is facing away from you. Wrap your arms around him to where they meet in the middle of his chest. Locate his ribs. Place a fist just below his rib cage. Use your fist to make thrusting motions into his chest. Do this several times, and then check to see if the maneuver dislodged the object. If your dog is still conscious, then continue the maneuver until the object comes free.

If your pooch looses consciousness during the maneuver, then you must start using CPR. If the object came free, then turn your dog on his side and perform CPR. If the object is not free, then you will need to alternate between the Heimlich and CPR. Hopefully by this point help has arrived.

Dogs don’t get choked too often; but when and if they do, it’s a good idea to know how to help. Take a Saturday off and enroll your family in a first aid class. You can learn how to perform first aid on humans (many things also translate to pets), or you can enroll in a pet-specific first aid class. Knowing how to identify and help a choking animal is never a bad idea.

This article was provided by discount pet mall which is an online pet supplies store featuring dog beds and dog car seat covers.