Tag: christmas

How to Keep Your Dog Safe and Calm on Christmas Eve

Posted on December 22, 2022 - 6:02 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Christmas Eve is the happiest day of the year for many people. For dogs, it can be quite upsetting! Weird footsteps on the roof. Strange horned animals flying around. Treats left out that they’re not allowed to have. The horror!

How do you keep your dog calm and safe when stranger danger, upset tummies and other mistletoe mysteries are very real possibilities this night? To keep everyone in the house jolly and ho-ho-healthy, read on!

Santa Paws Eats Cookies

You’ve got the plate of sugar cookies all perfectly laid out for Santa’s arrival. A cup of milk is even sitting next to your famous Christmas cookie plate. After you’ve drifted off to sleep, your furry friend sneaks over to the plate with eyes all aglow. It’s snack time for Santa Paws!

While the ingredients for sugar cookies may not be toxic to Fido, these delectables can cause them an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and gas. No one wants to be under the weather for the big morning, so save your pup from themselves.

Before heading off to bed for visions of sugar plums, set out a decoy plate of dog cookies and place Santa Claus’s treats out of Fido’s reach. Most pet stores carry dog biscuits and cookies perfect for curbing your furry friend’s craving. You could even try a treat from your dog advent calendar!

Reindeer Takeover

Your dog looks out the window to see some funny looking dogs have invaded the front lawn this Christmas season. They’re not moving. They’ve not made a sound. They must be in stealth mode, Fido ponders. Your dog begins to alert the whole house and attempts to warn the whole neighborhood as their bark gets louder and louder. If their barks could translate into English, it’d probably resemble something like, “Must save the family from a North Pole invasion!”

You know the funny-looking dogs are actually plastic reindeer you bought on sale three Christmases ago, but your dog is oblivious to this fact. It gives you a good chuckle at first, but after a few minutes you really want to let Fido know all is well.

Let’s hit the rewind button and go back to before you put up the life-sized decorations. First, we recommend getting a dog pheromone diffuser for the house. These diffusers release dog-appeasing pheromones to help calm Fido in their time of distress.

Second, we recommend using positive reinforcement to help your dog get closer to the reindeer so they can see the decorations are not really plotting a takeover. Give your dog a treat anytime they approach the reindeer and praise them for their bravery. This can help show Fido they have nothing to be afraid of.

If you notice these methods do not work, that’s okay. Some dogs just have a very strong fear of certain objects. Close the curtains so your dog can’t see the reindeer, and enjoy the yard decorations by yourself from the front porch.

Stranger Danger

Your dog is rustled from their sleep as they hear something stirring in the house. Fido isn’t sure if it’s an intruder or a friendly face ready to provide pats. As they round the corner, they see an unfamiliar person in a red suit reaching into a very large bag! It’s not registering that this is Santa Claus from the Christmas stories you all read earlier that evening. Fido opens his mouth to bark, “Stranger danger!” before leaping through the air to attack and save their family.

This may sound like a funny scene from a movie, but as you or a loved one is icing their bum in a Santa Claus suit, you begin to wonder what you could have done to help your dog realize that “Santa” is no threat.

Let’s back up the calendar. Calm your dog’s nerves by introducing them to the suit a few days prior. Let them sniff everything, then try the suit on in front of them so they can see the transformation from owner to Santa. Be sure to talk to them throughout the process so they can hear your voice and associate it with jolly Saint Nick standing in front of them. Give them a treat and positive reinforcement before removing the costume. Repeat these steps one or two more times before Christmas Eve to help prevent an unwanted Santa attack on the night itself.

WHEW! The holidays are taxing for everyone. You deserve a nap and a comforting cup of ’nog after the holiday festivities are complete because you’ve followed these tips and helped Fido thwart a reindeer takeover. Their tummy is at ease having eaten Christmas cookies made for dogs. And last but not least, Santa and your doggo are now best friends. All in a holiday’s work.

RELATED POST: Stop Unwanted Barking Before the Holidays

Is It a Good Idea to Give a Puppy as a Gift?

Posted on December 16, 2020 - 4:00 pm by
Kitten Coming Out of Gift Box

For years, animal welfare organizations wagged a finger at the idea of giving a puppy as a gift. They warned that most of these puppies would be surrendered to shelters and left homeless because of impulsive gift-giving whims.

But one ASPCA study shows otherwise. In a survey of people who received pet gifts, 86 percent of those pets were still in the home, according to a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).  The gift didn’t have to be a surprise — people who knew about the gift in advance became every bit as attached to the pet. Even more remarkable, other studies showed that pets given as gifts were less likely to be relinquished than those acquired by the pet owners themselves.

That said, don’t forget that giving a puppy as a gift is essentially giving someone a lifelong family member, with lifelong responsibilities. It’s not something that’s easy to return, like an ugly sweater. Remember; it’s a pet, not just a gift puppy. Here are some tips to help you make the best decisions for person and pet when giving a puppy as a gift.

ASSUME NOTHING WHEN GIVING A PUPPY AS A GIFT

Just because someone used to have a pet doesn’t mean they want one now. Perhaps they’re still mourning their last pet and just aren’t ready yet. They may have extended travel plans. Or they may be planning on moving to an apartment or condo that isn’t pet friendly. And even though that mastiff puppy is adorable, don’t assume your grandma can handle it once it grows up.

NIX THE SURPRISE

Have an honest discussion with your friend or family member and tell them about your potential gift. Make sure they truly want a pet at this point in their lives and they have the financial means to care for it, including the budget for food, supplies and veterinary care it will need. If you’re considering a puppy as a gift for a child, it’s especially important to clear this with the parents, since they will likely shoulder much of the responsibility for the pet.

Consider your friend or family member’s lifestyle: do they have time to spend with the pet, or are they away at work for most of the day? And make sure no one in the house is allergic to pet dander.

CONSIDER A GIFT CERTIFICATE IN LIEU OF A PUPPY AS A GIFT

That way, the person can pick out their own puppy. Pets from rescues and shelters have typically received a medical exam along with any needed treatment and vaccines. They’re also usually spayed and neutered, which can reduce initial expenses for the new owner. Many rescue organizations foster new pets temporarily, so they can provide guidance on whether pets are good with kids, are amenable to living with other pets, or need patience and help with any issues.

A voucher for a reputable breeder is another option. If there’s a particular breed of puppy the person on your list prefers, work with them to find a good breeder. Reputable breeders go to great lengths to make sure their pets are healthy, free from genetic disorders and well socialized. They will also welcome you to tour their facility, so you can see for yourself that all animals receive proper care. That gives you the peace of mind that you’re not supporting a puppy mill.

A puppy supply basket can be a welcome gift. If you still want your gift to be a surprise, and you’re confident your friend or family member wants a pet, consider giving pet supplies instead. Giving supplies such as a pet bed, collar, leash, food dishes, toys, treats and grooming supplies can help allay some of the initial expenses that go with a new puppy.

With any luck, your gift can help bring years of furry companionship. And what could be a better present than that?

A new puppy text graphic with a white, tan and black puppy lying in the grass.