Just about everybody knows that alcohol and chocolate can be fatal to dogs and no one would intentionally give their puppy pal either of those foods. However dogs don\'t read and don\'t know they\'re not supposed to eat either. Don\'t leave a wine glass on a side table where your pooch can reach it and take a few sips. And be aware that even a small amount of chocolate, like that in a chocolate chip cookie can cause problems.
Be aware that dogs will eat a substance first and then decide whether it was food or not.
During the holidays lots of pretty sparkly decorations go up all over the house. That\'s intriguing stuff for a dog and they may have a tendency to chew the extra electrical cords or investigate a Christmas ornament. The problem is obvious with chewing a cord but not so obvious in that the dog can get tangled up in the cord and pull the decoration or entire tree down on themselves. That\'s a major panic attack for a dog.
Glass ornaments can break in a dog\'s mouth causing bleeding or even worse if the dog swallows the pieces. If at all possible place plastic ornaments like snowflakes at the bottom of the tree where the dog can reach and the glass ornaments higher up where he can\'t get to them. And of course don\'t decorate with real candy canes, cookies or popcorn. That\'s just asking the dog to come have a snack.
Certain plants are poisonous such as poinsettia and narcissus. Both are often given as gifts. Place them up and away from your dog.
The holidays mean families and friends and that can cause extra stress on your canine companion. Condition the dog not to react frantically when people come over. If the dog doesn\'t settle down quickly remove it to a quiet safe place like its crate or bed in another room. Don\'t put it outside or in the garage in frigid winter weather. Dogs can react to cold conditions much like people. And it\'s easy to let the hours slip by while you\'re entertaining guests.
Dogs are creatures of habit and they don\'t like change. If you usually spend evenings at home and suddenly start going out as part of the holiday festivities your canine companion may react by getting into mischief, chewing, or forgetting their house training.
Children are delightful to most dogs but be careful. Children who haven\'t been around dogs may treat them as a big stuffed toy, pulling their ears and tails, or try to carry them around. Children who are afraid of dogs may run away which provokes a chasing instinct in the dog, or wave their hands in the dogs face which most dogs don\'t like.
Enjoy the holidays and keep your dog safe.
