The Holidays are here, one of the happiest times of year,  but if we are not careful and don't take the appropriate precautions, this can be a stressful and even dangerous time for our rascals.

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

A few Howliday Hints~

• Bone Up on your Pups' Obedience Skills -  Spend some time each and every vday to review your dogs' Basic Manners.  Practice Sit, Down, Go To Your Spot, Recall and their Boundaries. Impress your family with a well mannered dog and keep your pup safe at the same time.
• Give Your Furry Friend a Safe/Quiet Place To Hang-out - Most dogs love the the family and friends that 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 their furry friend a little space.  He can come later to play and be a part of the holiday fun.
• Don't overdue the Table Scraps - It's probably unrealistic to say, "Don't give your dogs any table scraps." They love the turkey (and ham too), and what the heck, it's only once a year. But do it in moderation.  Just a little bit goes a long way. Make sure it's a lean piece of meet and that no bones are included. Give them their special treat away from the table, so they don't learn to beg, and have them sit nicely first.  Make sure to 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 them their treat away from the dinner table.
• No Sweets - What are the holidays without Pumpkin Pie, delicious cookies and other luscious desserts? We humans love 'em, but they can be deadly to our dogs. So keep those sweets up and away, and don't feed your pup anything with sugar.  The last thing you want to be doing is rushing to the Pet ER on Christmas 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 one of your guests 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 or friend who loves to help. Have a little thank you gift ready for them at the end of the night. People like Rewards too!

Happy Howlidays!

Be thankful for those Furry Tails and Fluffy Feet!

They make the Howlidays extra special!