Planning Ahead for Christmas with your Dog
Christmas is suddenly nearly upon us! If you are like me, you'll be writing lists, planning menus and events and are starting to feel stressed and overwhelmed.
Spare a little time to include your dog in all the planning, and Christmas itself of course!
Especially if your pooch is young, she may find all the different colourful, noisy events and exciting objects too much to deal with over the festive period so a few minutes a day in advance to prepare her will go a long way to making Christmas happy, peaceful, fun and safe for everyone.
Who needs a Christmas tree when you have a dog?!
Here are six key areas to consider:
Make sure your dog has her own safe place to relax in to get away from it all
I like to call this a Doggy Den. She will benefit from time there when events get too exciting, lots of people and festive food are around and when she would otherwise get over-stimulated.
Teach your dog to sit when greeting people, rather than leaping all over them in joy
Not everyone likes dog kisses, so be consistent from now on and don't give your dog attention at all until her bottom is on the floor. Once she can do this in the peace and quiet of your home you can practise in more distracting places.
Teach a really reliable 'Leave it'
This means that your dog should NEVER pick up the item. This is not the same as ‘Drop’ or ‘Give’. ‘Leave it’ is a great way to stop your dog grabbing food, toys, decorations and even Grandma's ankles, as long as you practise well in advance.
Don't forget your dog still needs exercise and intellectual stimulation, holiday time or not
A regular walk, hide and seek games, ball playing in the garden, Free Work to occupy her whilst you are busy, finding treats scattered in the garden, are all great ways to tire her out and help her to feel fulfilled at the end of the day.
Try to maintain your daily routines as far as possible
This will help your dog to relax even when every other aspect of their life seems to have changed.
Some holiday foods and many household plants are poisonous for dogs
Make sure plants like Cyclamen and Poinsettias are kept out of your dog’s reach. I have written a separate blog describing the main foodstuffs that are toxic to dogs and you can read it here.
With a little planning in advance, your Christmas break will be trauma-free and a happy time for you and for your dog!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
