Keep Your Dog Safe And Happy This Christmas Christmas is a busy time full of fun and food and is perfect for catching
up with family and friends. It usually also means a change in routine and lots
of noise and this can be an unsettling time for your dog. Here are some top
tips to help make sure they have a Yappy
Christmas! AB Dog Training
work with all breeds of dogs, regardless of the size or age. We are happy to
support all dogs over the Christmas period throughout Sowerby Bridge.
Welcoming Visitors The Christmas period will often bring guests and unfamiliar
faces, this can sometimes be a bit overwhelming and cause dogs to get
overexcited. It's important to make sure there's a quiet, safe space they can
retreat to, away from all the excitement. Make sure not to shut them away in a
room as this may cause further upset. If you are concerned your dog will get
anxious or over excited when meeting your guests, let your dog meet them at
their own pace.
Routine It is often difficult to stick to your usual routine over
the Christmas period and it's often busy and chaotic. The change can cause
distress to your dog, but where possible try to keep walks, feed and play times
the same as they would be in their regular routine whilst also making sure they
get as much attention as normal. Consistency can help them feel more secure and
it's important to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Christmas is a busy time and there is plenty to do and
lots to see, be careful about leaving your dog alone for any duration which
might cause them distress.
Family time If you're spending Christmas day away from home and your dog
is coming with you, take something that smells familiar, like their favourite
toy or bed. This will help them to feel secure and will also keep them
entertained while away. Children can often get excited around dogs and may not
realise this can frighten them so it's important to make sure they are
introduced slowly and carefully.
Christmas trees There are usually all sorts of things lying around at
Christmas so it's extremely important you keep a close eye on what your dog is
up to, especially puppies. Here are a few dangers to look out for:
Try where possible to only allow pets around the
Christmas tree when supervised, as edible decorations, like chocolate, are
poisonous to dogs. Your dog might be tempted to chew or play with hanging
tree decorations so make sure to hang these at an appropriate height. Wrapping paper and tinsel may look fun to play with but
should be avoided and most definitely not eaten. It can be useful to give your dog something to keep them
occupied while the family is opening presents, such as a toy. Festive foods During Christmas there are always tempting treats. However,
it's important to ensure that your dog doesn't eat anything that may cause
harm. Here are just a few festive treats that can be poisonous:
Chocolate Christmas pudding Onion gravy Mince pies Raisins Grapes Bones are a choking hazard Try to involve your pet as much as possible in the
festive celebrations, it's important your furry friend has as much fun as you
do.
Fireworks Dogs may need extra care during celebrations as many aren't
comfortable with unfamiliar sounds, and fireworks and loud noises can be common.
Here are a few tips that will help make it less stressful:
Be calm and reassuring Keep your dog inside if possible Provide a safe space with a few of their favourite things Feed and toilet them earlier in the day Give them as much exercise as possible Contact Us For more
information and tips to improve dog behaviour, contact AB Dog Training today. All
my training is carried out on a one to one basis in your home. Training sessions are available throughout Sowerby
Bridge for all dogs to improve behaviour and help deepen the bond between you
and your companion. Call us on 01422 835 459 or fill in our contact form today.