CHRISTMAS DOG SAFETY BY EXPERT JENNA ROBBINS

A well-fitting holiday sweater or a Santa cap for a great photo-op is always fun. Some of our dogs, especially the small breed babies, like wearing a warm, snuggly sweater. If the climate where you and your special canine companion live is rather fridged during the Christmas holiday season, a sweater is a welcome idea. I think they enjoy all the attention cuteness can attract, too. Just make sure that the decorations on the sweater are not a safety or health hazard should your dog decide to chew on it when left alone.

But please don’t decorate your dog with holiday wrapping paper, lights, bells, wreaths, or anything else that belongs on a Christmas tree or under it. Breeds like Golden Retrievers are very accepting of what humans do, and we sometimes take advantage of their good nature.

From a training standpoint, if it’s OK to put Christmas tree decorations on your dog, why is it not OK for your dog to touch the Christmas tree decorations? Are we communicating a mixed message: “Stand still while I put these things on you, but don’t touch them after that cause that would be bad.”

Can you imagine having bells ringing in your ears all day, especially when a dog’s ears are extremely sensitive? Please consider how your best furry family member will feel.

Your dog is not a Christmas tree!  I can’t believe I feel the need to say that. However, through personal experience and searching the internet, I have seen dogs completely wrapped in holiday paper with video instructions available on how to do this, as well as dogs with Christmas bells around their necks and Christmas lights strewn around their bodies. Our devoted canines are wonderful members of our families, and they have more than secured a place in our hearts and our homes and earned our respect, care, and love.

Many pet parents are familiar with or use a puppy playard/pen for their puppy in training or small breed dogs. The one pictured below is lower in cost because it does not have a door, but it’s perfect to put around your Christmas tree to keep Bella and Rockie from getting themselves into trouble.

Please keep your dog safe. Trees can fall over. Wires can be bitten into. Decorations can be harmful if chewed or swallowed. If you have a puppy or dog that is better off staying away from the Christmas tree, please use a pet or child playard to keep your dog safe. You don’t need to pen your dog in, but you can cordon off the tree with the same safety pen or playard. You can also try placing disposable aluminum baking pans around the bottom of the tree.

MURPHY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR MURPHDOG FAMILY TO YOURS.  WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON AND NEW YEAR.