Family, Fun & Festivities with the Furries

Family, Fun, & Festivities with the Furries

The holiday season is upon us, and your furry friend is feeling a bit anxious. As much as you are distracted by visiting guests or family, and the stress of holiday shopping, your pet will need a little more supervision and attention. Not what you wanted to hear? Here are a few tips to keep your canine anxieties at bay, and help to ensure a happy healthy pet during the season.

1. Your tree and decor. Remember it is natural for your dog to want to chew. Be careful and mindful of what holiday ornaments you use on your tree. Lights, breakable ornaments, a tree holder with a fresh oasis of water each day, candles, and poisonous plants can attract your pups. Keep a watchful eye, and place these items high and out of reach for your canine friend.

2. Training. Unwanted behaviors like barking, jumping, and stealing food are common and natural for dogs. Training is essential to keep these behaviors at an acceptable level or rid them completely. New guests in the house tend to not enforce your same rules, and will not apply discipline. Keep training fresh in your dog's mind by using each arrival of guests as a training opportunity. A trained well balanced pet is a happy pet.

3 . Avoid temptation. Let's be honest, you have a food motivated dog. If you leave the food on the counter, with no supervision, the temptation is clear. Avoid putting your dog in the position of choice. Yes, on a normal occasion, they know better, but in an anxious state, all is fair game. Block off areas of the house that may increase your pet's temptation. Crate, or baby gate your pet during times he can not be supervised. Keep guests from giving table scraps, it may even be better to remove your pet from the area all together to keep the rules in check.

4. Exercise. Snowing? Ice? Too much to do? No excuse, your pet does not understand. The winter season is the prime time for stressed under exercised pets. You wonder why they are destroying the garbage, marking the house, tearing down the ornaments or the tree. Boredom and excitability. It is essential to keep your pet well exercised and tired during this time, mentally and physically. Use mental puzzles and games to keep them occupied and entertained during festivities, but don't forget they need their walk before you shop!

5. Accept me, accept my dog. Let's not go by this motto, this season. Some of your guests are not use to the 3 German Shepherds on your lap. It can be overwhelming for a dog to get use to all the guests in their home. Avoid forcing them to do so, and avoid forcing guests to accept them. That can lead to an uncomfortable and dangerous situation. Watch for visible signs of stress, heavy panting, licking of lips, yawning, or hiding. Give your pet a safe spot away from the commotion. I know you want everyone to love your pet, but love him first.

Remember to keep your emergency vet's number handy in case of unexpected events.
Following these tips will help to keep your season bright and manageable, at least with your dog, I can't guarantee the family! Holidays are meant to be a time of family and festivities, but don't forget to keep your pet's mental health in mind, it will make everything easier along the way.
DJF

Please enjoy the link to our holiday card:

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Back in the Pack