Home safety for your Christmas hound

God how time goes by. It doesn’t seem possible that the holidays are near once again. With the holidays comes family, friends, food, decorations and, of course, gifts! What really got me thinking about the upcoming vacation was the idea of ​​dragging my tree upstairs, putting it up, and the reality that we have a new “little puppy” in our house.

Consider, My babies are well into their teens and our third child, Rodeo, a VERY spoiled Border Collie, will be four years old on Christmas Day and the cat is about ten. So for many years, we have not had to think about “child / dog proof” at home.

However, a few weeks ago, we adopted a new family member from a rescue shelter. Her name is Maddie and she is a Border Collie mix and is about a year old. She is the most angelic girl but, like any rescued puppy, she has some “problems”. We are working with her to give her the much-needed training that she has been denied, but many days her inner puppy brings out the best in her. LOL

Honestly, I can visualize her attacking the Christmas tree like a lineman taking a direct shot at the quarterback for the winning play! Trust me when I tell you that there is nothing this dog cannot chew or destroy if he sets his mind to it. To your credit, you are responding wonderfully to your training and quickly learning what is and is not allowed. She is a genuinely cool bitch who has already stolen my heart.

After the Christmas tree nightmare in my head, I began to think of many other potential dangers that I need to be aware of as I make my home this year and I want to share them with you.

For starters, it will not be beneficial to leave packages at the bottom of the tree for them to access. For one thing, the wrappers and bows can be a choking hazard, but you also need to look at what might be inside the gifts. Your dog could eat it, drink it, destroy it or God knows what else! So find a holder to hold the gifts or just keep them in the closet until unwrapped.

In addition to the Christmas tree, you better also think about the plants that are frequently used to decorate our homes during the holidays. I know that every year we receive at least one Poinsettia as a gift and that can really upset your dog’s stomach. The same goes for holly leaves, berries, and mistletoe, but mistletoe can actually cause your heart to collapse. Therefore, plants should be left on countertops or tables where your dog cannot reach them.

Don’t forget little things like toy batteries, duct tape, string, staples, and what I call all the “good smelling things.” What I’m talking about? You know how they sell accessories, scented beads, scented candles, all scented, just keep it up and out of reach.

The other category of small things is decorative. Items such as tinsel, ornaments, ornament hooks, tree candy, light bulbs, electrical cords, and ornamental bead necklaces. Together these can be extreme choking hazards or sharp cuts. They can also cause a bowel obstruction in your dog, which would require surgery to remove it.

If you’re like us, you practically bring your dog (s) with you if you’re traveling for an extended period of time. I mean they are part of the family. Still, Christmas can be crazy with so many new people and noisy toys that it can really make your dog uncomfortable and extremely anxious.

In some circumstances, it may be advisable to consider leaving them at home or placing them in a separate room where they are quiet and less agitated. You would not want to put your dog in the position where he would feel threatened and inadvertently nibble on someone out of fear. It’s just an unfavorable situation in every way.

In closing, it is particularly crucial to try to stick to your dog’s routine as much as possible. Try to make sure they have their food and water as you would normally serve it. Avoid giving them leftovers or unusual foods off the table. These are prime targets for an upset stomach and diarrhea. If you usually put him to bed or take him to the bathroom at certain times, stick with that routine. If you are agitated, set a timer on your watch or cell phone to remind yourself. This will help prevent any accidents. It will also keep them less agitated by having a family routine.

Last but not least, make sure your dog has a good quality collar that has UPDATED identifying information. I suggest you consider investing in a necklace embroidered with your name and a phone number. I personally use my cell phone number on my dog’s collars. That way, if they get loose and I’m out looking for them, if someone calls, they’ll call my cell phone. Don’t forget to add your vet tags and any registration tags and that way you know there is complete contact information.

Most importantly, just make sure you savor and enjoy the holidays. Remember to spend quality time with your dog during the holidays and don’t forget his gifts!

The holidays are about family, friends, fun, and food, but sometimes it’s easy to forget about Christmas safety for your dog. We all want our dogs to be a part of the celebration, but there are some important guidelines to follow. Keep your dog safe this holiday season – no one wants their holiday celebration to end at the vet emergency clinic!