Christmas is approaching and with it the long-awaited family visits. These are days when we meet up with loved ones and get-togethers accompanied by special meals with our closest people become more intense.
We cannot forget our furry companions. Although they are social animals like us, this does not mean that they accept or tolerate all types of visits. Sometimes this can be a high stress load for the dog depending on the number of times they meet in the home you share.
This stress can already begin with the simple act of preparing the house with the appropriate decorations, whether it be flashing lights, colored lights, nativity scenes or Christmas trees.
This burden can increase with visits from relatives, people the dog doesn't really know, or conversations that are simply louder than usual can make the meal longer. Touching or greeting the dog incorrectly is also likely to have consequences.
It is also likely that at these gatherings there will be abundance and quality in what we are going to taste and it is easier for there to be a permissive family member who will go overboard and overfeed the dog.
We may have daily commitments that will make our dog stay alone for longer than usual, accompanied, of course, by a tree full of balls or something we call a nativity scene full of figurines.
For my friends at Indidogs let me give you some advice….
- Dogs are very routine-oriented and any change affects them, so don't neglect to cover their basic needs.
- If you want to put up a Christmas tree, make sure that your dog is not alarmed by baubles, or by garlands or strange sounds. If he/she doesn't take it very well, we can help him/her get used to it and monitor it carefully for the first few days. Make sure that small decorations are not within the dog's reach. They are curious and if they get bored, they can be a perfect toy for him/her. If they suffer from anxiety, they can break them and ingest them. DO NOT USE GLASS BALLS OR EASILY BREAKABLE MATERIAL.
- Same with the manger, as a precaution, I recommend placing it out of reach.
- If we talk about decoration, Christmas plants, mistletoe or holly are toxic for dogs. It is not lethal depending on the quantity, but it can cause vomiting, diarrhea or alterations in the central nervous system... BE VERY CAUTIONABLE!!!
- In meetings with family or friends I recommend creating a safe space where the dog can be calm and no one bothers him/her directly by touching him/her and possibly in an incorrect manner. This space should not be a closed and isolated place for him/her unless he/she decides to go to a quiet place without movement. If this is the case, we will respect his/her way of acting and we will NOT allow anyone to bother him/her.
- Give it some chewable so that he can entertain himself and reduce stress through chewing, ensuring that he is calm while doing this practice.
- Be careful with visits “spoiled”Do not feed your dog without any kind of supervision. There may be forbidden foods such as grapes or chocolate that do not suit him at all and, depending on the quantity, it could cost us a veterinary emergency. Likewise, you already know the consequences of feeding a dog at the table.
- Your house, your rules, think that the visitors will leave and you will stay with your dog at home.
Help your dog these days by not forgetting to take calm walks, respecting quality and quantity, doing activities that relax him and not letting stress levels rise to such an extent that it later has consequences in his daily life.
For more information……
PROFESSIONAL DOGS
More than 10 years serving the neighborhood.
Basic and advanced dog training
Behavior modification
Assistance Dog Instructor
Technician in Assisted Interventions with Dogs.
Phone: 647574735
