Tips for a Dog Safe Holiday Season!

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The holidays can be a fun but also stressful time for everyone, including dogs. Here are some tips to keep your furry friends happy and safe during the holidays.

1. Keep all holiday treats of out reach
This includes any treats, gifts going under the tree, etc. Even if the edible item is wrapped, your dog can still smell the item inside. Ask your guests if any of their gifts are edible, and put them aside instead of under the tree. Chocolate is the biggest culprit to watch out for during the holidays. If you have a larger size dog, warn guests to keep an eye on their food if they are leaving it on a coffee table that your dog can reach. Leftovers shouldn't be fed to your dog, especially turkey bones.

2. Keep your dog safe from the cold
Many dog breeds are not meant to handle the cold, especially smaller dogs. Coats and sweaters should be purchased if your dog has a thin coat of fur. Booties should also be purchased in the winter, as they protect your dogs paws from the salt that is usually laid out on the sidewalks for ice. Some dogs have a resistance to feeling cold, but dogs with smaller coats don't have this resistance. So don't take your dog on long walks on cold days.

3. Tire out your dog before guests arrive
Dogs can easily get overly excited when guests arrive, and this can cause behavioural problems. Also, if your guests are not the most comfortable with dogs, it will be a much better experience for them if your dog is tired out.

4. Don't forget about the rules because its the holidays
There are many temptations for dogs during the holidays, the many smells from the kitchen, the numerous guests over, all of the decorations, etc. The rules that are set in place should be enforced all of the time, and although you want to spoil your pup because its the holidays, if they do something wrong they should still be disciplined as usual.

5. Be careful of holiday items
Items such as tinsel, holly, and mistletoe can be very dangerous to your dogs health and if ingested could lead to a trip to the vet. Try only putting the tinsel on the top parts of the tree, so its out of doggie reach.

6. Keep a safe place to retreat to
During the holidays, many dogs can get stressed. Giving your pet a quiet space to go if they are feeling overwhelmed is ideal. They should have a comfortable place to lie down, and some food and water.