Stress can rise as the holidays approach. Watch your canine family members and make sure they stay calm and safe. Dogs pick up our stress as well as their own. You can use DAP, rescue remedy or have a little lavender scent throughout the house.

Company changes routines: Watch for doors being left open, food being left out, meal schedules changing, relatives (especially children) your dogs are NOT familiar with. Make sure your guests understand "house rules," when it comes to the dogs. Tell them which dog bolts out of the front door and which one gets nervous around small children. If you get the response "Yea Yea Yea," don't trust that the person will follow your "house rules". Then advocate for your dog and make sure if your guests don't follow the rules, your dog is still safe.

A frozen KONG in the crate or a special walk can be great stress reducers for your pooch ... and for you!

Make sure your dog is getting his/her regular exercise (if not more) and regular diet to accommodate the changes, especially if you are going away.

And don't forget, there are very few dogs you can leave alone in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day UNsupervised! Is your dog one of them? If you're sharing the stuffing bowl, make sure all dogs involved get along and can share safely.

If you are traveling with or without your dog, check out the Archives on our web site for travel tips.