If you have a pup, you probably take them with you whenever you head out doors. While you have probably thought about first aid for yourself, what about your best pup friend?

Your approach to first aid for dogs should be similar to the approach you take for yourself. The point of the first aid should be to treat the pup for immediate problems with the goal being to get them to a vet for more serious issues.

The first step with first aid for you dog is to know your pup. A dog that sits down and doesn't want to move is a pup that is having a problem. From a practical standpoint, you may want to check the pups heart beat. The accepted rate differs by the size of the dog. Small dogs tend to have a resting heart rate of 90 to 120 beats a minute. Medium dogs range from 70 to 110 with large dogs dropping to 60 to 90 beats a minute.

So, how do you check the pulse of you pup? The best location is on the femoral artery. This can be located on the inside of a hind leg where the leg meets the abdomen. The artery is easy to find, so just run your fingers over the area till you feel beating. Once you've found it, count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four and you have the rate per minute.

As with any first aid kit, there are some basic items you should pack. Instant cold pack, gauze, bandage rolls, thermometer, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, q-tips, material for a tourniquet, and a small first aid book for your dog are common.

It is vitally important that you remember an injured dog is often a nervous and scared pup. They may not react the way you expect and may not even acknowledge they recognize you. Don't make any sudden movements. Talk to them in a calm, reassuring voice and do your best to comfort them. Taking this approach can help avoid problems.

If you are taking your pup out camping with you for the weekend, remember things can happen to them just as much as they can to you. Pack first aid supplies for your pup and you should be able to avoid any major problems.