4 minute read
Keep Your Doggo Safe This Holiday Season
doggoKeep your safe this holiday season Shutterstock.com
By Dani Messick
The holidays are a time for gift-giving, decorations, and the company of friends and family. Pet owners should be aware their annual traditions may not be appreciated by all members of their household.
Dogs, in particular, may struggle with many of the changes during the season, nuanced as they may seem for their families. “Many things that you’d bring out for holidays, they haven’t seen before and it seems like a new toy,” said Carolyn Manley, owner of Dogtown Resort of Middlebury. “It’s not anything they were ever taught to ignore. Shutterstock.com Even Christmas stockings, which look beautiful to you, may look like a toy to a dog. Some dogs may pee on Christmas trees, holiday plants like Poinsettias are toxic when consumed and tinsel can cause intestinal distress. Holiday parties you look forward to every year can also be a source of great stress for your pup.
“If you have a dog in the house, you need to know who’s coming to the party. You need to know if anybody coming has any kind of dog allergy, do they have any fears of dogs, are they going to get angry if there’s dog hair?” said Suzanne Abel, owner of One Dog At A Time.
“If you know you’re having people that have a fear of dogs then you really need to have your dog out of the situation. Get them plenty of exercise and lock them in a room somewhere or crate them, whatever the dog is used to, but you have to make sure you’re not putting anybody – whether it’s the people or the dog – you don’t want to put anybody in a situation they can’t handle.”
Some folks are afraid of dogs, but also afraid of mentioning it. It is the dog’s home and not theirs, after all.
For a dog that’s not attending the party, there is a slew of options. They can stay in a separate room, or a crate, outside or at a kennel. Whatever your plan, make sure your dog is well-prepared for it.
Manley suggests, for those using the crating method, making the crate not a punishment place.
“It doesn’t have to be a bad thing if very good things happen there, the crate also can become associated with food, or treats, or toys. Every meal, you’ve got the opportunity to reinforce to your dog about getting in the crate.”
At One Dog at a Time Rescue, Abel and her staff use crates to house dogs, but also to teach and protect them from each other.
“When you have a kennel or a crate the dog is used to, it’s a safe place for them so if the dog ever feels stressed they know they can go to their kennel and that’s their safe place,” Abel explained.
Many people keep their dogs outside for holiday parties, which works sometimes, but Manley reminds outside is not an option if the weather is poor, so have a backup plan in place just in case.
Kenneling is also an option. Most cities have a location for doggie boarding, and quality varies from basic necessities to Ritz-Carlton-like with price ranges to match.
Plan ahead to book early. In order to visit a kennel, dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations.
For those who want their dogs to enjoy the party, too, know the risks and take the necessary precautions.
Signs of stress should never be ignored. Cues such as ears laid back, a tail stooped between the legs or heavy panting are signals your dog may be stressed out and at risk.
Counter surfing poses its own unique hazards for dogs, especially during the holidays. “It’s hard to have on your menu everything be dog-safe in case somebody drops a plate of food or something so poisoning is another thing you have to worry about,” said Manley.
All-in-all professionals don’t recommend allowing your dog to attend holiday parties, but if you do, train them The temptations of new and fresh holiday foods can be difficult for dogs to withstand. Photo: www.humanesocietyofmacomb.org well, watch them fervently, and keep an eye out for any cues of stress. n
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