Hey Woofa’s,

Tis the season to be jolly falalalalaaaaaa lalalalalalalaaaaaaa…..!

Oh come on, get into the Spirit of Christmas……….!

With my last two posts you should have your Christmas Shopping all sorted by now…….!

So it’s time to decide whether you’re going to arrange Doggy Santa Pics or not.

As you can see by Billy’s picture we had them done last year and that was our first time.

WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG?

Well, Billy can become a bit anxious when he’s out and in a new environment.

When we took him to Camden Paws in the Park last year he was anxious before the big walk, then when the walk began he got right in amongst the 300 dogs that were there and he walked rather nicely.

As soon as the walk was finished and we stopped to have a look at the Doggy Stalls, he got impatient and wanted to keep walking around.

So the idea to me of standing in line waiting to see Santa with a whole heap of other people and other dogs, put me off because I knew Billy wouldn’t like it.

WHY DID I DO IT LAST YEAR?

Arranging Billy’s pic with Santa kind of fell into my lap last year.  A customer had mentioned it, I shared my reasons for not doing it and she mentioned how The Mall do it by appointment only, so your dog is the only one there.

Well that had me sold, this is how I run my Grooming Business, by appointment only with one dog at a time.

I got the number called up and made a 6pm appointment.

HOW DID BILLY GO?

He loves going in the car, so the ride there was fine.  It was a rather hot evening so we got there 5minutes before our appointment time.

While waiting at the door for our escort into Santa, I think it was the heat, combined with the fact that Billy’s never been in an underground car-park before as well as people coming and going from the sliding doors, it all started to overwhelm Billy.

Two dogs walked out and he started his staffy talking which sounds terrible if you’ve never heard it before, and add to that the echo of the carpark!!!!!!

The other two dogs didn’t blink an eye lid and kept going, the security guard came over and Billy put his paws on him for a pat.  I mentioned how Billy was fine (not going to turn feral and start eating everyone in sight) just a bit anxious.

Our escort arrived and as soon as we got into The Mall with the air con he was loving it.

We got to Santa who had a white picket fence around him, Billy jumped straight up onto Santa’s lap, sniffed Santa’s beard and sat down.

He got his own pics with Santa and we jumped in one as well.  They had squeaky toys which he loved and we got his Staffy Smile as well.

You got to pick which package you wanted and they gave them to you on a USB.

All was good and done.

THINGS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN BOOKING YOUR DOGGY SANTA PICS!

1. What is your dog like in public places;
2. What is your dog like around other dogs;
3. Where will the pics be taken (inside/outside/Mall/Pet Shop etc;
4. Is the arrangement by appointment only;
5. Will you be waiting in line with other people and dogs;
6. Will this be undercover to protect you and your dog from the weather;
7. Will you be waiting in a Pet Shop (this may over stimulate your dog);
8. Are you getting in the pic with your dog or just your dog or both;
9. How much are the pics, what’s included in the packages;
10. Are you going to dress your dog up in Christmas attire?

These are just a few questions to get you thinking about the whole experience.

The most important thing is knowing your dog, knowing their behaviour, and keeping them as calm as possible.

You want yourself and your dog to have a fun experience, not to be putting them in a situation that is going to totally stress them out.

Also if you do decide to go ahead with it, read your dog’s body language and be aware if they get a bit stressed or anxious, or are they totally calm etc.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

You’ve got to really know your dog before booking them in for Santa Pics.

Check out different places that arrange Santa Pics.

Find out when, where and what kind of atmosphere your dog will be in before booking Santa Pics.

Read your Dog’s body language while out and having them done.

Most important HAVE FUN.   No-one wants a stressful experience.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HAVE YOU TAKEN YOUR DOG’S FOR SANTA PICS?  HOW DID THEY GO?

Cheers