Give your dog a gift: Consistency

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

By JUDY ARCHER-DICK, BETH HOUGH, SUSAN SHARPE - The Herald Press. Huntington, Indiana.

Some people are absolutely convinced their dog loves the holiday season - but is this truth, or is it only in their minds? It depends, but one thing is for sure: Dogs need structure and consistency through the holidays, whether you believe it or not.

You may love the busy times, Christmas lights, and holiday cheer, but to your dog, his world just turned upside down. All of a sudden, his home became Grand Central Station - all the extra humans, some big and some small, and all those unfamiliar hands and oftentimes sticky fingers coming right at his face.

Many people bend over the dog to give him hugs and kisses, which, by the way, is quite rude in a dog's world. There are even times those sticky fingers find their way to Fido's eyes, ears, and worse! The house may be filled with loud, cheerful voices, but to the dog, the volume is anything but comfortable.

The odds are his diet will change, too. After all, how many of us can eat turkey, potatoes, and all those delicious trimmings without feeling enough guilt to eventually sneak Fido a bite or two?

During this busy season, remember to keep as much structure and consistency in your dog's routine as possible. Owners can do this by continuing with those treasured walks. Your Christmas party doesn't mean near as much to dogs as those walks do.

The one area where you would be wise to modify his routine would be by increasing his exercise on days family and friends will be stopping by. Walk him an extra time, play ball, and interact with him, giving him quality time and attention. Then when family and friends arrive your dog will be less energized.


When dinner is ready, give your dog his favorite stuffed toy. Place some peanut butter or another of his favorite treats inside the toy, along with some of his dog food. This will not only help satisfy his hunger, but it will also help keep him entertained while you and your guests enjoy your meal.

Last, but not least, be your dog's advocate. Do not allow well-meaning people to fuss with your dog for more than a few minutes at a time. If you do not take responsibility to protect him, then what you are really saying is, “I won't be bothered to keep people from overwhelming you, so you're on your own.” This lack of responsibility will force your dog to take charge of his own personal space and safety. How? In the only way he can - he will act like a dog. He may give several unheeded warnings, and finally he will snap or bite in a last-ditch effort to have people stop overwhelming him and feel safe. Then people will say, “He's never bitten before” or “He bit without provocation!” The truth is he waited as long as he could, but his owners failed to protect him, leaving him no choice but to protect himself.

Prevent problems from happening by taking responsibility, and this will help ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Susan Sharpe and Beth Hough of Canine Companion by Certified Trainers.

Tips of the week: Do not wait to prepare those stuffed toys, i.e. Kongs, Treatsie Rolls, Squirrels, etc. - have them packed and ready to go when needed. Providing entertainment for your dog will prevent him from finding his own.

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide. Along with their combined 30 years' experience and endorsement by national organizations, the trainers are all graduates of Purdue University‘s DOGS! program.