Dog's Best Friend's Turkey Tips!

Dog's Best Friend's

Turkey Tips

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and is one of the happiest times of the year, for humans and pups.

But Turkey Day can be stressful and even dangerous for our rascals, if we're not careful and don't take the appropriate precautions.

With a little bit of smarts and good planning, you can help your pup make it through the day, happy and safe!

Here are a few Turkey Tips...

• Bone Up on your Pups' Obedience Skills – In the days before the holiday (and before Christmas and Hannukah too), plan practice sessions everyday to remind your pup of his/her manners. Practice Sit, Down, Go To Your Spot, Recall and their Boundaries. Impress your family with a well mannered dog and keep your dog safe at the same time.

• Give Them a Safe/Quiet Place To Hang-out – Most dogs love the the family and friends that come to visit during the holidays, but just like children, dogs can become overwhelmed. Pay close attention to your dogs' behavior and make sure they have a safe, quiet place to hang-out when it just gets to be too much. Set up their bed/crate in a comfy, quiet room, soft music playing, a worn t-shirt of yours for them to snuggle up to and a yummy bone (something special) for them to gnaw on. Make it happy! This is not a punishment. This is their special place to relax. Make sure all the kids in the house know this and ask them to give Buddy space for a little while. He can come out and play later.

• Don't overdue the Turkey – It's probably unrealistic to say, “Don't give your dogs turkey.” They love it and what the heck, it's just once a year. But do it in moderation, just a little bit goes a long way. Make sure it's a lean piece and that there are no bones. Give it to them away from the table, so they don't learn to beg. Have them sit nicely, then give them their Thanksgiving treat. *No turkey for pups that are allergic to poultry though and ask your guests not to feed your dog from the table. If they really want to join in the giving, have them ask your dog to sit and give him/her the Turkey away from the dinner table.

• No Sweets - What is Thanksgiving without Pumpkin Pie and other luscious desserts? Us humans love 'em, but they can be deadly to dogs. So keep those pies up and don't feed anything with sugar to your pup. The last thing you want to be doing is rushing to the ER with a sick pup on Thanksgiving night.

• Assign a Door Cop – One of the greatest hazards of the holiday season is the possibility of losing your pup, watching them dash out as the door flies open because a guest forgets to close it properly. So assign a responsible adult to keep an eye on the door. Ask them to let all the guests in/out and to be in charge of “security,” making sure your pup never has the chance to bolt out the door. Everyone likes to feel needed, so find a family member/friend who loves to help. Have a little thank you gift ready for them at the end of the night. People like Rewards too!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be thankful for those Furry Tails and Fluffy Feet!

They make the Holidays extra special!