Christmas Safety Tips For Dog Owners

With festive like Christmas and New Year approaching fast, you have probably decided to deck up your house for the holidays. The purpose of this post is to give you a humble reminder about the Christmas decoration puppy safety. Did you ever given a thought on what actually your puppy thinks when you bring home your new Christmas tree and the decor? Well, she considers all as her toys – especially the balls and bells, and will instantly start pulling and chewing them. The shimmering lights and glittering decor grab puppy’s attention, and drive them crazy to make investigations.

Keeping your dog safe around Christmas decorations is an indication of responsible dog ownership. Here’s how…

Understanding your dog’s behaviors is important: In most cases your excitement becomes the cause of your dog’s excitement. Keep yourself calm while you decorate your hall and Reva is around. Don’t toss the tinsels and Christmas balls or exhibit excitement when Reva is around.

Crating her is the best option: Best way to steer clear of dangers is to room her separately where she can have the toys and stuff that are pet safe. Remember, dogs become frustrated quite easily. Like us humans, our dogs feel left out and gets frustrated, especially when she finds something of her interest, but cannot get it easily. “Barrier Frustration” may end up with sad happenings. So it is advisable to keep her room empty with only toys that she would be safe with.

Giving her rewards for keeping calm will make your Christmas safe and happy: Keeping your dog safe is teaching her how to stay safe around Christmas, and this should be an effective training process. Nothing is more effective than ‘Reward Based Training’. So as she keeps calm during your decoration, she should be rewarded with the best treat – tidbits. Put her on the leash, keep it short and take her into the decorated hall, allow her to go near the décor (on leash) and allow her to smell stuff. On the slightest deviation from the desired behavior, say ‘NO’ strongly, and pull her back. She should get the treat again when she learns that décor are not for her to play with. Remember, temporary suppression of instincts should be considered as desired behavior, but NOT a changed behavior. So even if your dog behaves quite decently in your Christmas hall, it is advisable not to leave her there unsupervised.

Lighting your yard may be little difficult: Dog must be released out in the yard to play at least once a day. You can stake the wire frames and related display décor into the ground. This is the safest way to have a great Christmas with your four legged buddies.

Not all Christmas foods are safe: Christmas cookies may be safe for Reva, until she doesn’t have allergies with any of the ingredients used. Chocolates, however, can be utterly dangerous for dogs. Other Christmas fancies such as grapes, pudding, cakes and mince pies may not be safe for your dogs. Macadamia nuts and alcohol may be very dangerous. If your dog has accidentally consumed any of the unsafe food like these it is suggested to call a professional veterinary practitioner without delay.

One last suggestion that works great: Dogs are fun loving creatures and tend to go out whenever they can. Take this instinct as an opportunity. Give her a good long walk and allow her to play hard off leash in a safe area. This will ultimately exhaust her energy and she will be a content dog. This will make repose in peace in her room/ crate after a good meal. And you can go out to party hard.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all and yours.

Image source: Lintbells.com