Care · 14 October 2026
Rainy season without the itch, the mud or the panic
From June to October the rain in Port Harcourt can fall for hours. Coats stay damp, ticks love the long grass and some dogs shake at every clap of thunder. Here is our kennel routine, adapted for homes.
By the Ridgeback training team
In short
- Dry coats fully, especially armpits and toes
- Check for ticks after every grassy walk
- Swap long walks for brain games
- Give a den for thunder and stay close
Dry the coat, check the skin
Towel your dog after every wet walk, then let the coat finish drying in a room with a fan. Pay attention to the armpits, between the toes and under the collar, where damp sits longest and skin gets sore.
Once a week, run your fingers against the coat and look for red patches. Catch it early and a vet visit is quick and cheap.
Ticks love the season too
Check ears, neck and between the toes after every walk in grass. Remove a tick with a tick hook, never by squeezing. Keep monthly tick treatment on time even if your dog rarely leaves the compound; ticks come in on visitors and other animals.
If your dog is quiet, off food or has pale gums after a tick bite, call the vet the same day.
Short walks, more brain games
When it rains all afternoon, swap the long walk for ten minutes of training and a food puzzle. Hide treats in a towel, play find it in the corridor, or practise sit at the door. A tired brain helps as much as tired legs.
Thunder without the panic
Make a den: a crate or corner with a cover, a familiar blanket and some music. Let your dog choose to go there. Comforting a scared dog does not make the fear worse, so sit close and stay calm.
Our kennels play low music through every storm and keep the lights on, thanks to solar and generator backup. Dogs settle faster when the room stays the same.
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