Holiday Dog Safety Tips

Happy Howlidays! A Reminder for Pet Parents

The McSchwartz dogs here to remind you that the holiday season is upon us! Delicious food will be cooked, decorations put up, and family and friends will be gathering to celebrate. With all the hustle and bustle, please remember to advocate for your four legged friends!

The Joy of Holidays — And the Stress They Can Bring for Dogs
The holiday season marks a time when we gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate family and give thanks for one another. Our four-legged friends play a special role in these family gatherings, as we cannot imagine living life without them. However, we have to keep in mind that not every dog may be equipped to handle the energy and sometimes chaos behind all this holiday cheer. It’s very important to know your dog and understand what they can and cannot handle. Is your dog a social butterfly? Does your dog enjoy meeting new people, but just needs a little support to make a calm introduction? Or does your dog like its immediate family member only? At one point in my life, I owned four dogs at the same time, and each of them filled one of these categories. They helped me learn more about how I can help dogs and their owners navigate this wonderful season in the best, least stressful way possible!

Different Dogs, Different Needs
You may have a dog like Pippi (prone to being reactive) who need a calm introduction before being allowed freedom to socialize–but in the end does best observing commotion from the comforts of her bed. Or your pup could be extremely social, maybe prone to slightly pushy behavior like Dodger who doesn’t mind accompanying you on leash as you greet your guests. This way he can focus his energy on sits and downs, but will enjoy a good pet once he settles completely. You could have an extremely curious dog and total people pleaser like Gaston, who just requires a little direction to make sure he doesn’t get underfoot. And then you may have a dog like Bo Diddly, who does best being ignored. He needs to be allowed to come to you.

Holiday Safety Rules for Every Dog
As general rules, please do not allow anyone to hug your dog or go near them if they are eating their meal or enjoying a good after dinner bone on their bed. Even the most well mannered dogs can feel pressured into making horrible choices when their space is rudely intruded upon. By understanding your dog and their needs, you are helping them from having to make unfortunate decisions. Make it a truly happy holiday season for all by being fun, fair, and firm leaders!!