Here is the first scenario: Doorbell rings and people arrive. Your dog bounds to the door to greet them, jumps all over the guests and as they are filing in, your dog runs outside and into the street.
Second scenario: You have all these goodies out on tables awaiting the arrival of your guests. Chicken wings, chocolates, alcoholic egg nog, etc. You go to get dressed and your dog decides to be the taster.
Third scenario: Your dog is well behaved around people and loves to interact with them. You have no problem allowing him to join the party. However, your guests can't resist giving your pet a sample of what they are eating. Who can resist those big, soulful eyes?
The above examples show how a happy party can turn disastrous for you and your dog.
Food we humans find delicious (and so does your pet), can be fatal to your dog. Alcohol, chocolate, chicken or turkey bones and many more can cause a gastric nightmare or worse. Also, the decorations around your house can be a temptation to your pet, such as electric cords, Christmas tree water with preservative in it, tinsel, tree ornaments, live holiday plants, the list goes on.
So how do you keep your pet safe and enjoy holiday entertaining? Over the years we have encountered the above problems and our own home and at friends and family parties.
The best thing we have found is before your guests arrive and you put out the holiday goodies, sequester your dog in another room with water, a toy and some soft music to help soothe him. The music volume should be at medium level, to help distract him from the noise of the party.
If your pet is very well trained and use to the excitement of holiday activity, allow him to stay and celebrate with you and your company. However, let your guests know not to feed your dog any of the party food or drink. If they want to give him a treat, then keep a bowl of his favorite dog goodies handy so your guests can give them out to your pet.
After the festivities, clean up your house immediately or at least put all the plates and such on a high counter to take care of the next morning. If you do clean up after, make sure the trash is secured and not where your pet can get into it.
The holidays should be a happy time for all, including your dog. So practice keeping your pet safe this holiday season just as you would your children.
And don't forget to tell Santa what your dog would like under the tree. Our dogs enjoy unwrapping their presents Christmas morning (ripping the paper, actually) and then trotting away with their prize to chew or play.
We wish a safe and happy Holiday season to all our two and four legged friends and family. May the Season bring you peace and joy.
Many of our family and friends have asked our advice about their dogs and suggested we put together a website for tips, help and fun pages for dog owners. So we did. If you found this article helpful, you can view more information at http://the-best-dog-for-you.com.
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