Alexandria, Virginia-It seems that just yesterday, we were lighting the grill for the July 4th barbecue event. Now, the holiday is approaching, full of excitement, joy and cheers. Although the hustle and bustle of the holiday can bring pressure to us humans, dogs are particularly vulnerable to holiday stressors because they cannot prepare for what is coming: visitors they have never seen before, things are rescheduled, and even A big tree is in the center of the living room inside.

Because the joy of the holiday can be overwhelming for many puppies, I have provided some tips and guidelines to ensure that your four-legged family members are safe and happy, so that everyone can have a very enjoyable holiday:

· Create a "safe zone" for your dog, such as a crate, a comfortable room in your home, or the other side of the baby door. Children running around, doorbells ringing, noise, strangers coming and going will put a lot of stress on your pet.

· Before your guests arrive, let your dog do some mental and physical exercises. Play some memory games, heal search, pick up balls or tug. "A tired dog is a good dog!"

· Prepare some frozen King Kong, stock wooden sticks, Himalayan yak, etc. Before you sit at the holiday table full of all kinds of wonderful smells and delicacies, designate a place for your dog so that they can enjoy their hodgepodge.

· Never leave your dog unattended with children. Even if your dog likes children, be sure to supervise all interactions. Always put safety first!

· Instruct children how to interact with your dog. Many dogs don't like being hugged or slapping their heads. If you know that your dog is timid in front of children, please provide a safe and comfortable space for the dog-away from children.

· Interactive food puzzles and snack distribution toys allow your dog to occupy and relax, while your guests enjoy festive cheers or New Year’s ringing in the next room. You will not only interact with him physically, but you will also challenge his problem-solving ability and relieve his boredom while you take care of your guests.

· Don't seduce fate by putting delicious holiday gifts within your dog's reach. Meat pies, plum pudding, chocolate, and sugar-free gum all contain ingredients that are toxic to our pets. Christmas poinsettia is also poisonous to dogs, so keep it within reach. Remember, even the most well-behaved dog can become an "anti-surfer" if tempted.

· A trash can full of turkey bones or other food is very tempting for your dog. After all, they are scavengers and resourceful animals. Therefore, please keep the trash can out of reach or use a trash can with a lock lid.

· Keep small toys, wrapping paper, metal wire, decorative hooks, etc. out of the reach of dogs, just like putting them out of children's reach. Dogs observe the world with their nose and mouth, so prevention is indeed the best medicine. Gift ribbons and decorations can be very harmful if swallowed by pets.

· If your dog has a long wagging tail or is overly interested in a cute Christmas tree decorated with sentimental glass, you may need to place a baby gate or x pen around it. Broken decorations or knocked down trees will not add joy to your holiday.

· Consider letting your dog participate in a pre-holiday etiquette course. Wholestic Hound Academy offers courses and workshops to help your dog prepare for success. Holiday homes and mats, crates and other borders are just two upcoming courses designed to teach your dog to be calmer and more relaxed in the hustle and bustle of the holiday.

Everyone likes a polite dog. A dog that can interact gracefully with family and friends during the holidays is a treat. Although not all dogs are there, other dogs may not even want to interact with guests. If you haven’t understood your dog’s door-to-door etiquette or solve his excellent counter surfing skills, then you probably don’t want them to be festive welcome or help in the kitchen, while the ham and sweet potato pie sits on the counter.

Holidays can be a good time to reconnect with family and friends, especially after last year. Your dog is part of your family and you should let her participate in some celebrations. By following our tips and guidelines, your dog can enjoy this holiday and you can spend a very happy and safe holiday.

Happy Holidays Wholestic Hound Academy!

Sandy Modell of CPDT-KA is the founder, owner and chief trainer of Wholestic Hound Academy. This is Alexander’s award-winning top dog training and learning center-providing information on puppy training, adult dog etiquette, behavior modification, and agility Sex classes and private classes, canine exercises, canine fitness and conditioning, children and dogs, pre-pet planning and pet selection. The course is about to begin! Visit www.wholistichound.com to register for our program, like us on Facebook.com/wholistichound, and follow us on Instagram.com/wholistichound.

ICYMI: This old city school has been bitten by a dog!

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