GM News - December 2020 bonus edition

Our Christmas tree is on a table - keeping the Tree and inquisitive dogs safe from each other!

What about the Big Day itself - what can you do to make sure a Happy and Healthy Time is had by all?
Recruit member(s) of the family to take turns in buddying your dog to steer them clear of mishaps.

People coming over?
How likely is your dog to be stressed? (Most dogs are going to be stressed by unfamiliar visitors and excitement)
Where will be a quiet place where your dog can go and be undisturbed?
Do you have guests coming who don't like/are fearful of dogs?

Nibbles out for guests?
It's a rare dog who wouldn't take advantage!
Grapes, raisins, sultanas, nuts, onion and garlic, chocolate (the more cocoa that is in the chocolate, the more toxic it is) are all toxic to pets.

Decorative candles or floral arrangements?
Could your dog knock the lit candle over?
Lilies, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas are toxic to pets.

Present giving?
Who's going to be responsible for a quick pick-up and disposal of discarded wrapping paper, ribbons, plastic lying around?

Have your dog happily occupied while you enjoy your own meal.  Ensure your dog is in a location where a visitor won’t disturb them.
•   Time your dog’s meal to coincide with your own
>Scatter your dog’s mealtime dry food, so s/he has to fossick for it.
>Deliver the meal in a Stuffed Kong. (Kong Classics are available at many supermarkets and vet clinics.)  Mix mealtime food with a jar of human toddler food, a meat casserole variety is ideal, and then spoon into a Classic Kong. (You could mix the dry food with meat broth or mashed vegies.) Dry food alone would just quickly and easily slip out of the Kong, undermining your goal of having your dog happily occupied for a quite some time, chewing and licking to get the food out. Prepare the stuffed Kongs in advance, popping them into zip-lock bags and then into the freezer until needed.
•   Hand-over a marrow-bone or deer antler.
To know whether any of these options are going to appeal to your dog, try them out in advance of the ‘Big Day’.

Remember, dogs (and people!) can be unpredictable and they are opportunists.

Just for fun - The Prince and the Pea - a retelling of the classic fairy tale with dog actors by The Academy of Dog Trainers

The YouTube video includes The Prince and The Pea tale at the beginning, followed by behind-the-scenes video which includes interviews with three of the dog trainers whose dogs took part, and a blooper reel.
The video was done as a light-hearted exercise in the dark days of 2020 - kids, big and small, will love it :-)

We're thankful to be part of your life with your dog.
Very best festive wishes,
Amanda, Rodna, David and Ruth