Security in your home for your Christmas Hound

God how time flies. It doesn’t seem possible that the holidays are near once again. With the holidays come 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 haven’t had to think about “child/dog proofing” the 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 rescue pup, she has some “issues”. We are working with her to give her the training she so needs from her and has been denied, but many days the puppy inside her brings out the best in her. LOL

Honestly, I can visualize her attacking the Christmas tree like she’s a lineman who has a straight shot to the quarterback for the winning play! Believe me when I tell you that there is nothing this dog cannot chew or destroy if he puts his mind to it. To his credit, he is responding wonderfully to his 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 started thinking of many other potential dangers that I need to be aware of as I set up my home this year and I want to share them with you.

To begin with, 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 should also 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 stand to display the presents or simply store them in the cupboard until it’s time to unwrap them.

In addition to the Christmas tree, you’d better also think about the plants that are frequently used to decorate our homes during the holidays. I know that every year we get at least one Poinsettia as a gift and that can really give your dog an upset stomach. The same goes for holly leaves, berries, and mistletoe, but mistletoe can actually make his heart 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, decorations, ornament hooks, tree candy, light bulbs, electrical wires, and ornamental bead necklaces. Collectively, these can be extreme choking hazards or sharp cuts. They can also cause an intestinal obstruction in your dog, which would require surgery to remove.

If you’re anything like us, you pretty much 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 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 it is quiet and less agitated. You wouldn’t want to put your dog in the position where he felt threatened and inadvertently nipped someone out of fear. It’s just an unfavorable situation in every way.

In closing, it’s 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 upset stomach and diarrhea. If you usually put him to bed or take him to the bathroom at certain times, stick to that routine. If you’re 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 familiar routine.

Last but not least, make sure your dog has a good quality collar that has UP TO DATE identification information. I suggest you consider investing in a necklace embroidered with his name and 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 so you know there is complete contact information.

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

The holidays are all about family, friends, fun and food, but sometimes it’s easy to forget about holiday 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!