TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

During the holiday season we humans are so busy running around buying gifts, decorating our homes, and hosting parties that we sometimes forget that our canine companions need special attention to decrease stress, maintain health, and increase happiness.

Professional dog trainer Myke Miller, owner of Four Paws Playground, offers the following ways to best care for your dog this holiday season so that everyone in the family can have a safe holiday season.

·                A party or large gathering is not the time to start training. If a dog is sensitive to having strangers in the house, put the dog somewhere it can be stress-free and safe.

·                If you cannot ensure your pet will be safe and stress-free, consider having them boarded.

·                Exercise and routine are important. Do not change the routine of walks, playtime, or eating time if possible.

·                Give him or her a place in the house where people will not bother them but where the dog can see what’s going on. 

·                Give the dog something to keep him or her busy while people are moving around the house, like a favorite toy to chew on.

·       Plan dog-friendly stops for long trips with extra time for potty breaks and food and water.

·       Give your dog lots of exercise or a day of play before heading out. This will allow your dog to be calmer for the first part of the trip.

·       If your dog gets carsick on trips, talk to your vets about options, which might include medication.

·       Take along everything your dog will need, including extra food and water, in case of inclement weather.

·       Try and find a neutral environment for the two dogs to meet.  If this is not possible, let the dogs meet outside before bringing them together in an enclosed environment. If possible, meet off-leash.

·       Keep in mind not all dogs may get along just like not all people get along for whatever reasons.

·       Do not force the issue if one or both dogs do not want to meet.

·       Do not let a puppy annoy a senior dog.  Senior dogs, much like our human grandparents, do not like being jumped on by younger dogs.

·       Keep the personal property of the resident dog’s area from the visiting dog. Some dogs are territorial of their items, like toys, bed, and food and water dishes.

·       Try and keep your dog’s routine of playtime, exercise, feeding, etc.

·       Do not let children crowd the dog. A child must be calm around the dog and let the dog sniff the child before petting.

·       Pet under the dog’s neck, not over the dog’s head or ears.

·       Do not run toward or away from the dog.

·       Never leave children alone with the dog.

·       Watch the dog for signs of stress or discomfort such as growling, showing teeth, a lot of lip licking, or trying to get away from the child.

·       Always take a dog out of a stressful situation and never force it to be petted.

·       If a child wants to give the dog a treat, the dog must sit while the child opens his or her hand completely with fingers together and flat. This will prevent the dog from accidentally nipping the child’s fingers while retrieving the treat.

·       White meat turkey or chicken

·       Plain yams, potatoes, pumpkin (no sugar or sweetener added)

·       Raw apples

·       Plain corn (no salt or butter)

·       All animal bones – they break easily and cause choking because they get stuck in the stomach, throat, and intestines. This could result in a trip to the emergency vet!

·       Turkey fat and skin – they contain high levels of fat that cause pancreas and stomach issues.

·       Chocolate, sweets and candy

·       Alcohol and soda

·       Sugar-free foods and all artificial sweeteners

·       Sage and nutmeg

·       Cherries, grapes, raisins and onions

·       Dogs need plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble. Keep up their routine and give them extra playtime. A tired dog is a good dog.

·       Do not let the dog jump on your guests. Not all people like dogs, especially ones that jump on them.

·       Remember to tie up the trash so that the dog doesn’t get into it and eat something they are not supposed to.

·       Keep dogs out of your way while cooking so they don’t get into the food and so you don’t trip over or step on them.

·       When eating the holiday meal, put the dog in a different room. This will prevent the dog from being fed by guests and from your dog bothering guests for food.

·       Make sure dogs have plenty of fresh water.

·       Overeating good or bad food can cause an upset belly, diarrhea, vomiting, or bloat. If you think you dog got into something that’s not good for them, call your vet immediately.

Located in Bloomsbury, NJ, Four Paws Playground offers crateless boarding, doggie daycare, and positive training services. Founded in 2007 by owners Patrick and Myke Miller, it offers a new level of service for dog owners and their canine friends, creating a home-away-from-home experience. Dogs enjoy supervised outdoor play, socialization with other dogs, and personal attention from their staff.  When owners can’t be with their dog, Four Paws Playground gives them peace of mind that their dog is safe and having fun. For more information, visit http://www.fourpawsplayground.com.