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Hey, Katie K-9!KatieK9@readthecitizen.comwww.KTK9.com 651-429-5433 |
Hey, Katie K-9!
The holidays are here! It's time for some quick tips to help you and your pets get through the season safely. Smile: your pets will notice!
. Before you open the door for your guests: Put Fido on a leash, so you have control. If Fido is going crazy, step on the leash about eight inches from the collar and ignore him until he calms down. Keep the leash on so you have something to grab or step on if he starts getting out of control.
. Create a visual perimeter around the Christmas tree: Do not allow your cat or dog any closer to it. If they try to get close to the tree, for cats say "PSST" and blast them in the face with water in a spray bottle set on stream. For dogs, say "Leave it!" and use the spray bottle or shake a penny can (rinse out a pop can, put five pennies in it and tape the top shut). When your dog backs off , calmly say "thank you."
. Do not put any presents under the tree that have food or dog goodies in them: Your dog will smell his way into a problem.
. Until your pets will truly leave the tree alone: Do not hang any sentimental ornaments that could get damaged if the tree fell over because of a curious cat or dog.
. If this is a fi rst holiday season for your pets: Decorating the tree only halfway down could save you a lot of headaches during the teaching phase. It may not make a fashion statement this year, but it would help the training go more smoothly.
. When you leave your home: Put your curious pets in a kennel or separate room from the Christmas tree so no problems will happen while you are gone.
. If you have electrical cord chewers: Use PCV tubes to run the electrical cords through.
. Remove edible temptations: Put all your baked goods in the stove, microwave, dishwasher, or cupboards so your pets can not get into them. Many popular holiday treats are made with cocoa or bakers' chocolate, which is very toxic to pets!
. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season: Our pets' routines get turned around at times. Try to keep to the routines as closely as possible. Your dogs will let you know if things are out of whack: bad behavior will start, like pottying in the house, destroying things, and obnoxious behavior. To a dog, bad attention is better than no attention.
Have a safe and great holiday season!
Send in your dog questions to "Hey, Katie K-9!" by mailing them to Th e Citizen, P. O. Box 393, Hugo, MN 55038 or e-mailing them to Katie at KatieK-9@ReadTheCitizen.com. Visit Katie's dog obedience school website at www.ktk9.com.