2 Questions About Outdoor Dogs

I have recently moved two of my dogs onto chain setups. Overall it is working very well and I'm really happy with it (as are they). I have run into two problems though.

Where I live in NC the dirt is more like sand and the dogs end up making mounds of it as their chains drag along the ground. I thought it might pack down as time passed, but it doesn't seem that is happening. It is also muddy when it rains. So I end up bathing the dogs quite frequently. What can I put down that will help with this? I can't pour cement as it isn't my land.

Also, I currently use either Advantix or Vectra 3D on the dogs every month and I also spray them with DuraGuard a couple times a week. But they are getting bites on the tips of their ears, I am thinking it is probably flies. Any suggestions on a product I can use on their ears to keep this from happening.

Thanks in advance.

 

Rock dust is good for chain spots. Gonna be putting it down when mine wears the grass down to dirt. IDK about the bug bites, having the same problem myself.

 

Concerning bug bites on ears, it's likely flies. Go to vet or ag store and pick up fly repellent used for dogs/horses.
It worked for me. If the ears look pretty raw, use an antibacterial rub also as it could lead to infection.

 

mix permithrine with baby oil in a spray bottle and it will take care of the flies, you can get the permithrine at TSC

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be hitting the feed store this weekend for sure.

 

Fly bottle traps or fly granules or both. Since you cant use cement, what you can use is cement tiles as they are not permenent and can be removed easily at any time.

 

for the flies, Flys Off ointment has always worked well for my dogs in the past. It's pretty cheap at the co-op or you can find it in pet stores as well. TSC may have it, I dunno, i've never looked.



I've also heard that a white vinegar, tea tree oil, and water mixture works well when sprayed on. one of my old friends used it on his horses and it worked well. i don't know the proportions he used in it tho.

 

flys off and swat ointment work equally well, it seems like my feed store always has just one or the other of them at one time so thats what i get lol. And rock dust should take care of your chainspot problem.

 

ACV always worked 4 me

 

Rock dust and this may sound a little weird but Avon Skin so soft body oil. I use on all my dogs. You wont see ONE fly or bug even land on your dog with that rubbed on them with a towel. I highly recommend you use it. It also smells amazing but you will have a lubed up dog while he or she is outside on the chain.

 

Yeah I use the Victor Reusable fly trap. It cost around 5-7 bucks but you can reuse it many times. I also found out that the standard mayonnase bottle will fit it and can be used as a replacement bottle if the original bottle breaks and or if you just want to throw the whole bottle away without the hassel of emptying the flys. Just keep the lid to the mayonnase bottle and when the bottle is full of flies just screw the lid on and throw it away.

When you first by the fly trap they give you a bait that attracts flys but they only give you one packet. What I found works best as bait is a combination of very strong smelling fish/shrimp sauce combine with dog shit. Keep the bottle half full of water.

The bottle fly trap works gradually, it usually takes about a week to a month before the bottle is full but it does work to keep the fly population under control around your area. The more bottle fly traps you have the better.

 

and they also are somewhat pricey, usually only 2" thick, move/shift easily with enough rain no matter what you lay down as a base and how many times you run it over with a plate compactor.... thats not the surface id want my dogs on. not safe imo

 

LOl sounds like you might have had one shoot out from under you Lee.

 

Theres two types readily available at most hardware stores , the cheap ones are the cement tile caps usually run about $1.00-1.80 each. and it can be even cheaper then a buck if you buy it in bulk, these types arnt as strong but they do a decent job. The square ones used for stepping stones/tiles are the stronger ones but they are expensive at 3-6 bucks a piece.

As for about it moving and shifting all ya need to do is make a frame. Also it usually takes around a month before the cement tiles actually settle in place. Ive never had a dog get injured directly from the cement tiles, except for the normal wear and tear of the dog having to walk on a hard surface all day long.

 

What type of bottle fly traps did you use? Tried like 3 different designs of bottle fly traps but the victor magnet reusable fly traps worked the best for me.

 

I forgot that I had heard about the Avon Skin So Soft before. Good reminder, thanks.

Someone else suggested that I try fill dirt because it should pack down and become pretty solid. I think that or rock dust is gonna be what I end up trying out.

 

nahh, ive just laid pavers/precast for about ten years, and i dont like em. unless theyre on a concrete slab they will move.
id sooner poor a 4" slab and put a light broom finish on it...less work, and its so easy a caveman could do it. lol

 

That's the best option but he doesn't own the property.

 

i seen that, doesnt leave alotta options except calling the local quarry and having a load of rock brought in.

 

Yep, or I suppose you could cut a hole for the axle and put down kennel flooring? Don't know how well that would work but you could think about it.