DOS AND DON’TS OF A CANINE CHRISTMAS

Pamela Harju is a celebrated Finnish writer now residing in the lush landscapes of Ireland and is a woman of many talents. Not only has she garnered awards for her captivating literary works, but she has also made a name for herself in the competitive world of dog agility. What sets Pamela apart in this energetic sport is her choice of partner — the spirited Miniature Schnauzer. This breed, often overlooked in agility competitions, has proven to be a perfect match for Pamela’s dedication and skill. Pamela has penned some thoughts & advice for us all because whilst Christmas is the most wonderful time of year, it should be also for our canine companions. With a few adjustments to your celebrations, you can make Christmas a safe and comfortable time for your dog.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS FOOD

For many of us, the Christmas dinner and all the delicacies that come with it are a major part of the holiday season. However, you need to bear in mind that many of our Christmas treats are dangerous to dogs. Chocolate tends to be everywhere at Christmas. Please avoid the temptation of leaving an open box of chocolates on the coffee table or elsewhere within your dog’s reach. Even if you are only leaving the room for a minute, to be safe, put all chocolates well out of your dog’s reach as chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the darker it is the more so.

Grapes are a popular and healthy addition to cheese trays, which many of us enjoy over Christmas. Grapes are also poisonous to dogs, so make sure your dog doesn’t accidentally get to them. A small taste of cheese is OK for your dog, but remember that cheese can be fatty and salty, so please limit your dog’s cheese portions. Another factor to consider is that dogs can suffer from lactose-intolerance, so to be sure, stick to matured cheese which contains no lactose.

Raisins, currants and sultanas, being related to grapes, can also be dangerous to dogs, so please keep those nut mixes, which may also contain toxic nuts, away from your dog. Our seasonal favourite, the mince pie, also contains these dried fruits, so none of this dessert for your pooch. While many of us enjoy a tipple or two over Christmas, alcohol is not safe for dogs, so keep your booze within human reach only. Dogs may not know how to open bottles, but they can be tempted by a glass conveniently at nose level.

Your dog can still enjoy Christmas and share some of your treats. Skinless, plain turkey is fine – as always, avoid onion and garlic, which can be included in your stuffing. Many vegetables from your Christmas dinner, such as carrots and Brussels sprouts, can also work as a tasty treat for your dog, but be mindful of how they have been cooked. If you are unsure, you are better off sticking to tried and tasted dog treats, and like we all should remember at Christmas time – don’t over-indulge!

DECK THE HALLS

We like to make our houses look pretty for the Christmas season, and that’s fine. Many decorations can be very tempting especially to young dogs, with baubles being particularly inviting. If you suspect your dog will not be able to resist, hang them well out of reach. Try to put your Christmas tree up in a spot where your dog is less likely to pull it down – the curlier of those Schnauzer tails can easily be caught in the lights or tinsel and drag the whole thing to the floor.
Holly and mistletoe are beautiful and natural decorations, but they can be toxic to dogs, so put them high up to avoid your dog getting to them. The same applies to any hanging treats, like chocolate coins or gingerbread cookies – don’t leave them where your dog can get to them!

Do not leave your dog unattended in the presence of a lit candle. While it may appear that your dog is peacefully snoozing, you never know what might happen while you nip into the loo or to make a cuppa – all it takes is an unexpected visitor ringing the doorbell, and your candle can go flying as your dog zooms past the coffee table in excitement. Some scented candles can also be bad for our four-legged friends. A safer and more environmentally friendly option is LED candles, which can look very realistic these days.

MAY YOUR PRESENTS BE MANY

We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. To spare any tears come Christmas morning, it might be better not to leave the presents under the tree, at least if your dog will spend time alone in the room. Perhaps leave Santa a note to leave presents in a cabinet instead.

If your dog gets access to Christmas gifts, not only may the contents be harmed, but your dog could also swallow dangerous materials by accident. Be conscious of packaging materials, including the wrapping paper and any ribbon used as a decoration. If your dog swallows any of these, he may not be able to digest them.

Your dog will likely not turn his nose up at his own presents, and since dogs are part of our family, why wouldn’t you get your dog a present? Provided the wrapping materials are safe, you can let your dog unwrap his own present, but make sure he is supervised throughout the excitement. If you have multiple dogs, give them space and watch them carefully. The thrill of receiving a present and potential envy over each other’s presents can cause tension, and the last thing you want over Christmas is a trip to the vets!

If you are a real Christmas lover and want your canine friend to make the most of the countdown to it, why not get your dog his own advent calendar? A treat every day for 24 days is very much in the spirit of the season!

SANTA CLAUS AND EVERYONE ELSE IS COMING TO TOWN

Many of us have callers over Christmas with friends and family dropping in and sometimes even staying over. This may be nice for us and for the more extroverted pets we share our house with, but even those who love company, not to mention introverts – human and canine alike – can eventually find it a bit too much.

Make sure your dog has a safe and quiet space to withdraw to if it all gets too much. This can be a space under the stairs, another room that’s separate from the festivities or your dog’s crate. A couple of treats or a toy, such as a stuffed Kong, will give your dog something to focus on if he wants to, and if he is going to spend longer periods in that space, he will also need access to water.

It’s crucial that everyone in your house, whether a permanent resident or a visitor, knows to respect this space and to leave your dog in this designated spot. Children especially can find it hard to understand that their playmate has had enough, so it’s vital to explain this to them in clear terms.

Many of these same points apply if you are travelling with your dog over Christmas. Your dog is not just an attachment coming with you but a living, feeling creature who can find new experiences and crowds stressful, so give them time and space. If you think a stay with your nearest and dearest is going to be too much for your dog, consider an alternative in the terms of a dogsitter or boarding kennels, but make sure to book these well in advance! The best services book up quickly this time of year.

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY

Dogs love being part of our daily activities, and Christmas is no different. They hang about in the kitchen while we cook, sleep on the couch while we watch our seasonal favourites on TV and watch with curiosity what comes out of those wrappings. Please make sure though that your dog’s routine is not upset too much – try to stick to the usual bedtimes and mealtimes and to go for your regular walks. Many of us are tempted to eat a lot over Christmas and exercise less, so going even for a 20-minute walk can do you a world of good, and your dog still wants it. Your canine companion is likely to feel a lot more relaxed as well after a walk, so it’s a good idea prior to sitting down to your Christmas dinner or having friends over.

We rarely have a white Christmas in Ireland, but if it does snow, keep your pooch nice and warm. Schnauzers are sturdy dogs, but depending on the condition of their coat, they can still get cold. A warm jumper or coat will help keep your dog snug while you’re outside, and if it has reflective elements, this helps your dog be seen on dark roads. Reflective leads, collars and harnesses are also an important safety feature, and you can get little lamps to attach to your dog’s gear too. Don’t forget your own winter gear, high-visibility vest and headlamp too, and keep your phone with you in case anything unexpected happens.

Other activities, such as playing, hiding treats, interactive toys and any training you might do can still remain part of your daily activities. Many trainers and dog clubs take breaks over Christmas, so classes may not be on, but it’s no excuse not to do your homework. If you live with a canine athlete, remember that a break from your sport is beneficial to both you and your dog, and you can keep up your fitness levels with other exercise instead. Success in sports doesn’t only come from sport-specific training but overall wellbeing and bonding.

HAVE YOURSELF A SAFE LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Make sure you are prepared for emergencies over Christmas. With the best of intentions, accidents can happen, so always have an on-call vet’s contact details at hand and be clear on your location and address if you are visiting friends or relatives with your dog.

It may feel like with Halloween behind us, the firework season is over, but unfortunately, another terrifying time is ahead of us in the form of New Year’s Eve. If your dog is scared of fireworks, try to get your walks in during daytime before the noise begins. If you need to take your dog out later, keep him on a lead or ensure all gates are closed and escape routes secured. A fearful dog can do unexpected things, and you don’t want to lose your dear family member – it’s an all-too-common scenario for dogs to run away in panic when fireworks catch them off guard.

Indoors, you can try to distract your dog from the banging by having the TV, radio or music on and by keeping your dog busy with canine-friendly activities. If the situation is particularly bad, you can try to relocate to a quieter spot ahead of the revelries starting.

Throughout the Christmas season, make sure your behaviour is consistent with your normal routine. If your dog is normally not fed from the table, don’t allow this at Christmas time either, and be sure your guests are aware of this and comply. If your dog is not usually welcome on the furniture, don’t relent just because it’s Christmas. Anything they can get away with once they come to expect, and all your efforts can go out the window if you are not consistent. Consistency is the vital ingredient in all dog training, so stick with what you have been doing so far.

Finally, alluring as it may seem, do not get a dog or puppy for Christmas. Please don’t. Shelters and respectable breeders will not sell or give you a dog during this season, so watch out for anyone who promises otherwise. It’s not a good time to take a dog because our lives are often in chaos at this time with nights out, visitors and general busyness, and it’s unlikely you will have time to dedicate to a new family member. It’s better to wait until the new year instead.

Come January, rescues are full of abandoned canines looking for new homes. Don’t let another dog join those ranks. Don’t get a dog for Christmas to please someone’s idea of a perfect, fluffy present. Don’t be one of those people who realise come January that having a dog is not for them when they return to work and the realities of ordinary life.

Get a dog to enrich your everyday life, for the rest of your lives, many future Christmases included.

Becoming Involved With MSFG & Supporting MSRI

There are a number of ways you can support the work of MSRI and MSFG both directly and indirectly. The following are links and contact details for relevant areas;

-SCHNAUZERS: IT’S ALL ABOUT US!-
Pawfully Grateful
Admin & Fundraising Team
Miniature Schnauzer Fundraising Group