5 Tips for Handling Dogs During the Thanksgiving Holiday

 

From your dog's perspective, Thanksgiving is like a never-ending buffet of human food and a sea of people who could use some emotional support, or at the very least, a chance to pet a dog. They ought to enjoy the holiday! Unfortunately, as many pet owners are aware, your dog may suffer serious consequences as a result of all that food and all those people. Making it simple for your dog to act morally and stay out of trouble will help to set them up for success. On this day of feasting, there are a lot of temptations, but with a little forethought, you can avoid the common dread of having your dog participate in the wrong activities.

 

There is no foolproof way to stop your dog from stealing a turkey leg from the counter or pleading with your guests for it, short of keeping them entirely separated from family and food throughout the preparation and the meal. Training a dog to behave admirably in a crowded environment that is full of distractions and enticing smells can take months (or even years). My advice here is not to train your dog, but to position them for success even if you haven't spent their entire life training them for this. Since Thanksgiving is such a random day, it is probably best to focus your training on teaching your dog how to handle everyday situations rather than trying to prepare them for this once-a-year holiday. Here are some tips for celebrating Thanksgiving with dogs.

 

1. Take Up Exercise

Give your dog plenty of exercise in the morning before your guests arrive to help them reach the proper emotional state. It's challenging to find the time for a lengthy walk, hike, or run, but if your dog experiences the calm, contented state that comes with exercise, you will benefit all day. They can also be at their best the rest of the day with a little training for mental health. The enemy of a well-behaved dog is boredom, so try to keep your dog's day interesting.

 

2. Make a separation

To keep your dog out of the kitchen while you cook and the dining room while you feast, put up a barrier. As long as your dog can handle the separation, simply avoiding problems can seem like a good solution. Take advantage if your dog is at ease in a crate or another room. Being separated from their owners is frequently a reasonable measure to prevent dogs from begging, jumping up for food, or stealing it from the serving area.

 

3. Supply stimulation

Prepare a supply of fresh toys and snacks to use as you prepare and enjoy your Thanksgiving meal. You are setting your dog up for success if you can distract them from the mouth watering aromas emanating from the oven (and the trash can!). Prepare some Kongs or other food-extraction toys in advance to give to your dog to keep them entertained. To make some Kong's last even longer, think about freezing a few of them. While you cook and while you eat, prepare to give them at least one toy that is filled with treats. It is simpler for them to cope with not getting human food if they have something incredibly appetizing to chew on or lick. That holds true whether the dog is with people or in a crate in a different room.

 

4. After, tidy up

As soon as you finish eating, wrap the leftovers and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. The chance of problems is mostly gone now that potential temptations are guarded and out of your grasp. Don't forget to dispose of the trash as well. A Thanksgiving trash party for your dog will take away from the emotions of gratitude that the holiday is meant to evoke, and worse yet, it might be detrimental to your dog's wellbeing.

 

5. Exercise...Again

After a heavy dinner, go for a walk (this is healthy for both people and dogs). Exercise is great, especially after a large meal, and most puppies are happy to be outside. A stroll would be greatly appreciated after any potential holiday stressors brought on by guests or the odd character of the day. It's a great treat if your dog is not accustomed to a stroll at that time. Sticking to this portion of her schedule is a comfort if they are accustomed to leaving at that time. It's also a good time to consider how appreciative you both are of one another.