‘Tis the Season!
The holiday season is upon us! Are you prepared? I’m not referring to the shopping that needs to get done or the presents that are yet to be bought. I’m referring to the gameplan that you should have prepared for your pup! Whether you will be traveling with your four legged friend or having guests over for a fun filled party, you should prepare your dog for this event just as you prepare yourself. Here are some helpful tips to help you and your pup fully enjoy this wonderful season:
-If you plan on traveling with your pup, be sure that you follow the proper guidelines for the mode of travel that you choose. Planes and most trains require a dog to be in a carrier during transport. If your dog has not been exposed to their carrier yet, practice loading and unloading them into the carrier prior to the trip using tasty treats, and putting something comforting in the carrier like an old t-shirt with your scent!
If your dog is too big for a carrier or if you plan on driving to your destination, make sure your pup is comfortable and feels safe in the car prior to the journey. Car sickness can happen if the dog is not used to being driven. Practice driving short distances to boost your dogs confidence. Whether they are secured by a safety harness or a backseat dog hammock, a great way to keep them still and focused is to have them perform a downstay in the back seat.
-A great exercise to practice whether you find yourself traveling this holiday season or having guests over to your home, is Place. From hyper to nervous, this exercise gives them the focus necessary to prevent them from feeling the need to act out with nuisance anxious behavior, which could lead to an unfortunate outcome. If you are not familiar with this exercise, I encourage you to learn and start practicing it now so that you are prepared for when the distractions come!
-If your dog is crate trained and finds comfort within the confines of the crate, I encourage you to incorporate it within your holiday celebrations. The hustle and bustle can be stressful for a dog, and being able to decompress in their crate while the festivities continue to go on around them will do wonders in preserving a healthy state of mind.
-As always, advocate advocate advocate! If your dog is going to be exposed to a toddler or young kid, do not let the child think he can pet the dog or be all over him whenever he wants to. And do not leave it up to your dog to let you know when enough is enough. Advocate for your dogs space and state of mind by using helpful protocols such as Placing and crating exercises.
-Help your dog to understand that an open door does not mean a spontaneous adventure! This can be acheived by practicing a simple sit stay at the threshold of your door, and really any door at every walk, and allowing the dog to enter or exit only on your say so. A simple exercise that can literally save a life!
I hope you and your pup have a happy and healthy Christmas and Holiday season! ‘Tis the season to be thankful for the four legged friends in our lives!