Hey Woofas,  

The festive season is here!!!  

8 Sleeps until the guy in the red suit turns up???

Are you all organised and ready to go or are you the last minute type?

I do my best to transfer myself from Christmas Stress to Christmas Spirit : ). 

One huge week of Dog Grooming and then the Christmas Parties begin.

 

QUICK STORY!

We recently went to a Christmas BBQ  where a 2.5 year old American Staffy lives.  He’s a solid thing but thinks he’s the size of a Maltese terrier lol.  

When we arrived, he was sniffing us like crazy and getting in trouble for doing it.  I mentioned that we’re dog people and I can guarantee he’s sniffing us because of Billy.

Another couple arrive with a 4month old baby and the dog wanted to sniff the baby.  Now I totally understand, none of us wanted the dog jumping on the baby or whoever was holding the baby.

But the dog was trying, most of the day, to sniff the baby and getting into trouble for it.   What I think would’ve made him settle is if someone held the dog and let him gently sniff the baby’s foot.

From the dog’s point of view, he’s got different people with a million different smells in his backyard and he wanted to check them out.  It’s normal.  He wasn’t being aggressive in any way, he just wanted to sniff.  

The dog lives with two kids  and he’s amazing with them.  He’s never been around a new born before and just wanted to check it out.

My point here is you CAN have dogs and kids together safely.  As long as everyone is aware of the dog’s body language and what the kids are doing around the dog.

However, some dogs don’t like being around crowds and you need to be aware of this if people are coming over for Christmas.

I’ve put together  a check list of things to consider when hosting a Christmas Party, or attending one.

Christmas Day Safety Check-list for our Dogs & Kids!

 

a) If you’re hosting Christmas Day & your Dog is not social!

• Make sure your dog has somewhere safe to stay for the day, away from guests.  It needs to be in a well ventilated area or room with someone checking on them.  If possible, you could send them to someone else’s place for the day.

 

• The importance here is that your dog feels safe.  Your dog may want to get patted for a while and then take off to it’s safe area away from people.  

 

• Guests tend to ignore that the dog isn’t social and still may try to pat them!!  If your dog doesn’t want this but people insist on patting them, then unfortunate incidents could occur etc!  Your goal is to avoid this.

• If your dog isn’t use to being around screaming yelling kids, or kids hitting them, pulling tails etc then your dog could react in a way to get them to stop.  To avoid this, separate the kids from the dog by putting the dog in a safe place away from the chaos.

• The most important thing is to know your dog, read their body language and stay vigilant.

b) If you’re hosting Christmas Day & your Dog is overly social !

• I know Billy likes to sit on people and be patted.  Not all guests like this, so when we hosted Christmas Day he was segregated to the backyard, until we’d all finished eating.

•  If your dog is overly social and your guests don’t really like that, then have somewhere your fur baby can retreat to.  

 

• Bring your dog out on a lead to say hello to everyone, and give them a sniff.  Then put them in an area so people can eat and be merry not worrying about your dog jumping all over them.

• It’s also a good way for guests not to overfeed your dog while they’re eating.

• Being a responsible dog owner means knowing your dog’s body language, and watching them interact with kids.  As well as, making sure kids are tormenting your dog either. 

• Your dog might be fine with your kids, but other kids are a different story.  Your dog doesn’t know them as well.  Other kids don’t know your dog either, and this is where things can go wrong if people aren’t watching them both interact.

c) If you’re hosting Christmas Day & Your Dog is fine!

• The next thing on the list is if your dog is wandering around your guests looking all cute, that they don’t over feed them.  

• Your dog could end up sick, so make it clear to everyone not to over feed your fur baby, no matter how cute they look.

•  If your dog is in a no child home and people are coming over with kids, stay on the look out, always have someone in charge of watching the kids and the dog.  

• Read the dog’s body language and make sure the kids aren’t tormenting the dog.

• Again, make sure the dog can escape the noise and people, by giving them somewhere safe to go.

d) If you’re hosting and someone else wants to bring their Dog!

•  I was asked by my parents if my aunty could bring their dog last year when we hosted Christmas Day.  I hesitated, only because Floyd and Billy have never met before.

• After much thought, I agreed.  My idea was Floyd could be in the gated area in my Dog Grooming Salon.  He’d be able to see people and he’d have all the creature comforts.  It’s well ventilated, BUT he and Billy won’t be able to see each other or mix with each other.  Floyd could be walked out to the front yard for toilet stops etc.  (They decided not to bring him!!)

• If you’re asked this question, make sure measures can be put in place so EVERYONE can have a good and safe day.

• Before YOU do the asking you’re aware of the situation you’re putting both dogs in.  Discuss it with the owner of the other dog before just turning up with your dog.  

e) If you’re leaving your fur baby at home!

• This goes without saying, make sure they are safe, have plenty of food, water and shelter from harsh weather.  

• Don’t leave new toys, wrapping paper, ribbon, presents, food/ chocolate etc laying around that your dog might decide to snack on or destroy. 

• If there’s local fireworks going off in the evening, and you know you won’t be back, make sure your dog has a safe haven to retreat to.

• If you know your dog doesn’t handle fireworks well or being left alone, then you may have to make it back to be with them, or arrange someone to check on them.

f) If you’re taking your dog away with you for Christmas Day!

• Make sure it’s a dog friendly area.  Ask if there is somewhere secure for your dog to sleep, take their own bedding and dishes so it feels like their home away from home too.  

• Make sure to let them have a walk around the area they’ll be staying at.  Let them mark their territory and become familiar with the new smells.

• Take their own food, treats and toys so they can enjoy their time as well.

• If it’s an area with water (pool, lake, river, beach, dam etc) make sure you’re aware of your dog’s water tolerance.  If they don’t like swimming don’t force them to.  If they love it, make sure they are monitored.

• If you’re going to a rural bush area, when was your dog’s last flea & tick treatment given?

• Also when out walking in the bush/rural areas, be aware of snakes.  It’s their season, with the warm weather they’ll be out looking for water as well.

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Take note of any changes in your dog’s behaviour.  This is the first indicator that something isn’t right for them!

Is it too many people, too much food, have they been bitten, are they over heated, are kids tormenting them, or are they too loud?  

It could be many things and it becomes a process of elimination.

WATCH BOTH KIDS AND DOGS AT PARTIES.

Hopefully this Christmas Day Safety Check-List for dogs and kids will help you and your family have a relaxing and fun Christmas Day.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LOVE TO KNOW – HOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL BE SPENDING Christmas Day?

 

Cheers