Holiday Dog Tips from ‘The Dog Whisperer’ Cesar Millan!
From Cesar Millan’s website. For more tips and information visit www.cesarmillaninc.com it’s a great site. I think its kinda like “The Nanny”…for dogs and their owners! The tips are more for the North American market but the majority of them are relevant to all countries.
During the busy holiday season, it is important to keep your dogs in mind. Here are Cesar’s Top Tips for a balanced dog all Winter long!
1. Exercise your dog before taking him to visit, or receiving, holiday
guests. Holiday visits may involve more excited energy than usual. Your
dog is more likely to behave if it has just had a nice long walk.
2. Don’t forget rules, boundaries, and limitations just because
it’s the holidays! Holidays bring many new temptations in the form
of smells (freshly baked cookies and a tree in the house), sights (bright
lights and visiting relatives), and sounds (Christmas carols and sleigh
bells). Use this opportunity to reinforce the household rules.
3. Protect your dog from the cold. Many breeds are not built for cold
weather. Check out your local pet store for suggestions, such as doggy
boots or paw waxes, to help your dog handle the elements.
4. Stick to your dog’s normal diet! It can be tempting to share those
tasty table scraps with your dog, but too many rich foods (like turkey
and sauces) can lead to serious inflammation of the pancreas, which can
be life-threatening.
5. Beware of hazardous holiday items. Ingested poinsettia plants cause dogs
to vomit; chocolate is poisonous to dogs; and tinsel has sent many a dog
to the emergency room. Keep fragile ornaments toward the top of the
Christmas tree; only place sturdy ones near the bottom.
6. Do your holiday boarding research in advance! You want to feel confident
that your pet will be safe and comfortable while you are away. Start by
getting recommendations. Find two or three facilities that meet your
requirements, and investigate further.
7. I don’t recommend giving a puppy as a holiday gift. I strongly
believe that the whole family needs to have basic knowledge about the
commitment and responsibility of pet ownership before receiving an
animal.
8. Include your dog in your New Year’s Resolutions! Make a commitment
to be a pack leader 365 days a year, practice calm-assertive energy in
all aspects of your life, and work toward achieving calm submission from
your dog.
