The holidays are a fun and exciting time of year for most people. Below are some holiday tips for keeping your dog safe and happy!
Be aware of potentially dangerous items around the house.
Keep in mind that the holiday season is full of items that may not be good for your dog. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs. Make sure to keep them out of their reach. Tinsel on your Christmas tree has put dogs in the hospital because it can easily cut up intestines when swallowed. Chocolate is another big item this time of year. Make sure to keep treats and cookies with chocolate in places that your dogs can not get to them. Larger dogs can get themselves into big trouble when owners are not home and may attempt to get on the counter to grab delicious items if they are not stored properly.
Protect your presents.
Your dog will know if a gift contains something edible, even if you don’t. Make sure you ask guests bringing gifts if they contain anything your dog should not get into.
Ornaments
Keep ornaments off the lower branches of your Christmas tree. If your dog chews or eats an ornament, they may get sick by the materials or paint. If the ornament is sharp it may also cut their feet or mouth or worse do damage to their insides if swallowed.
Burning Candles
Make sure to keep burning candles on high tables or mantels, out of the way of your dog’s wagging tail.
Tire your dog out before your company arrives.
Holiday visits are typically more hyped up than normal. You also may have many more people at your house than your dog is used to. Make sure you either take your dog for a long walk or play ball inside or out before your company arrives. This will help to calm them down so you can relax and entertain your guests. If you have a new puppy in your home an exercise pen is a great way to keep your puppy in a safe and secure place and out of trouble.