Life is returning to normal, which for many people means being able to get together again with friends and family for the holidays. And while you may love holiday parties, are you sure your dog does? How can you tell and what should you do if he doesn’t? If you’re having people over, be sure to keep a close eye on your dog. If you can’t, play it safe and set your dog up in his crate or a room with a safe chew toy during the party. If you can, check out his body language: is his body wiggly, or is it stiff? Is his mouth relaxed, or clamped shut, maybe even licking his lips? If he’s not wiggly, do yourself, your guests and your dog a favor and let him leave the situation and go someplace calm, away from all the hubbub. A stiff body, lip licking, backing away are your dog’s way of letting you know that he is not comfortable.

If you want to share how awesome your dog is with your guests, consider doing it one or two at a time in a space where he can choose to come say hello, or not. But please do not force your dog to interact with all the new people if he isn’t feeling it. If your pup is reluctant to say hello, have guests gently toss him a small treat. This is a great way of letting him know that strangers in his house can be a good thing without forcing an interaction.

Around this time of year articles are popping up everywhere warning you of the pitfalls of holiday party food. For dogs, holiday food can lead to more than just tight pants. Some of our favorite holiday treats can make your dog really sick. These foods include: turkey bones and skin, ham, onions, garlic, chives, dairy, raisins, nuts, candy, alcohol and we all know about chocolate! If you are having guests over, or bringing your dog to a holiday party, please make sure food stays well away from any edges where a quick mouth can easily grab it. You can keep dog safe treats nearby and if someone wants to “share” with your pup, ask them to use the dog treats instead of something off a plate. But you may want to label these so your guests don’t munch on them!

The best way to make sure your dog doesn’t eat something she shouldn’t is to keep her away from it. You can use place or a tether her. If you do choose to keep her away, don’t forget to reward good calm, quiet behavior with one of those dog safe treats! If your best bud is whining about being kept away, consider moving her to a room with a safe chew toy where she can’t see everyone. You may even want to wait and feed your dog in that separate space. That way everyone gets to enjoy their holiday meal!

And if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s behavior at a holiday party, or in everyday life, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask. We are here for you and your dog no matter what the season.

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