Puppies first Christmas

I love Christmas! The tree, the lights, the presents, the food, the drinks! Chocolate for breakfast, seeing family and all the turkey you can eat!

I want my dogs to be a part of Christmas fun, but also keep them, and everyone else safe and happy!

So here are my top three tips to keep everyone content around this Festive season, with a bonus of a training video on how to teach your puppy to settle (link to the video is at the bottom)!

1. *Festive Decor Dos and Don'ts:* 

When decking the halls, it's essential to keep your pup's safety in mind. Make sure to position toxic plants (poinsettia, for example), somewhere where you puppy cannot get to. Plus, remember to keep those chocolates, mince pies, nuts (macadamia nuts to be precise), alcohol and sweets out of their reach! 

To keep your tree and the ornaments safe – consider dusting off that puppy playpen that you had when they were young, and putting it around your tree.

2. *Mindful Mingle Management:* 

Hosting gatherings can be exciting but overwhelming not just for humans, but for dogs too! Help your dog feel at ease by setting up a peaceful retreat area away from the hustle and bustle. Provide a cosy bed, their favourite toys, and some calming background music. You can help them settle with a stuffed Kong or a long lasting chew. Encourage guests to respect your pup's space and avoid overwhelming them with constant attention. A little mindful management goes along way in keeping everyone happy.

3. *Creating Calm with Mat Settling:*

This is one of my favourite exercises to teach, because it has so many uses!

Kids opening presents - your puppy can settle on the mat; cooking and serving Christmas dinner - your dog can be on the mat. Loading the dishwasher and don't want your dog helping with 'prewash' - again, mat settling could be the answer.

But the benefits don't stop there! Mat settling can also be a saving grace when tidying up, taking a leisurely walk to the pub on Boxing Day, or visiting family during that in-between period before New Year.

To help you get started, we've prepared a video tutorial on teaching reliable mat settling. Simply click below to watch to begin this valuable training.

Mat Settling Training Video