10 Tips for Happy Holidays With Your Puppy

Please keep these 10 Tips for Happy Holidays with Your Puppy in mind this holiday season

1. People food is for people and dog food is for dogs. If you give your puppy potatoes and gravy, turkey, cookies and other holiday foods, it can upset their tummies, cause allergies and in some cases, even death. A really good quality dog food will meet all of your dog’s dietary needs. If you hand feed it to them, it will be a special treat.

2. Chocolate is for you, not for your puppy. This is one of the worst things you can give your puppy for a treat. Sharing is NOT caring.

3. Holidays are a great training opportunity. Keep a training collar and leash on your puppy when guests come to your home. That way you can teach him that good behavior is expected at all times, no matter what distractions arise.

4. Dogs are not into high dollar gifts. Save those for your significant other. I mean, come on, we are talking about an animal that thinks cat poop is a delicacy and who’s favorite perfume is rolling in dead fish. Yum! Those $100 doggy sweaters will not be appreciated near as much a chew bone dipped in peanut butter. Just watch his little eyes light up when you hand him that on Christmas morning.

5. If you can’t keep an eye on your puppy at all times, do him a favor and confine him to a crate or kennel where he can’t get in trouble. Dogs are den animals and feel safe and secure when in a familiar, small area. If your puppy isn’t old enough to be responsible when left unsupervised, then put him in a crate. Kind of like you would put a baby in a crib or playpen when you can’t watch it.

6. Be sure to keep all trash cans safely closed or shut away at all times. Those holiday leftovers, bones, etc. are just plain dangerous for your puppy.

7. Remember that many holiday plants and decorations are very toxic to animals. Check up on this before bringing them into your home. Just a dropped leaf or two can result in one sick little puppy.

8. Double up on the times you take your puppy out to do his bathroom activities. All the excitement and distraction is going to make him just a bit forgetful of his manners. It’s better to keep the puppy on track with frequent visits outside than to have to scold him and add to his confusion.

9. Keep electrical cords, lights, ornaments and anything that can hurt your puppy out of his reach. A trip to the vet on Christmas Eve would not be fun. All this new and exciting STUFF is going to encourage your puppy to investigate what it is.

10. Dogs are pack animals and very social. Please include them in your family holiday activities and treat them like the cherished part of your family they are.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS