For many people--like my family--including the dogs in holiday trips and festivities isn't optional. Where we go, they go. That means we must be prepared to meet our dogs' needs while we are away from home:
1. Always ask if your dog will be welcome before you bring him along. Some religions have restrictions on contact with dogs, some people are highly allergic to dog dander and/or saliva, and still others might be cynophobic (severely afraid of dogs). Even though my Service Dog, Mickey, is guaranteed access to public gatherings under the Americans with Disabilities Act, I always ask permission to bring him to locations that are exempt, such as church services, private homes, and clubs (such as country clubs and fraternal organizations) for events that are open to members only.
2. If your dog gets carsick easily, withhold food and water for a couple of hours before your trip and give him a ginger capsule or gingersnap cookie approximately 30 minutes before you leave. Check with your veterinarian to be sure that this is an appropriate remedy for your dog. Nothing kills the holiday spirit quicker than having to bathe your dog and clean the interior of your car upon reaching your destination.
3. Provide your dogs a quiet place away from all the festivities where they can rest and relax if the commotion becomes too much. This is a great use for crates or kennels. We always include a crate pad or blanket that smells like home for extra reassurance. For dogs who are especially nervous, use a product such as the Thundershirt, coupled with music from the Through a Dog's Ear CDs to lower his stress levels.
4. Even if your dog is great with kids, make sure that you closely supervise interaction with any children AT ALL TIMES. Remember, Christmas is a mega-exciting event for kids; even those who are normally well-behaved may forget their manners. If necessary, be prepared to keep your dog on-leash by your side throughout the event. The last thing you want for Christmas is an ER bill, legal problems and/or bad blood with your friends or family because your dog nipped an over-excited child.
5. Monitor your dog's food intake extremely carefully. Each year, we prepare Kongs for our dogs, filled with the ONLY holiday treats they are allowed to have (skinless roasted turkey, steamed veggies, and a little no-sodium broth) and frozen ahead of time. We remind family members that the dogs are not allowed to beg for food from the table and shouldn't be given any scraps. When dinner is announced, we give the dogs their Kongs and they settle in the living room, far from the dining room table.
6. Pay attention to your host's holiday decorations. Common holiday plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, narcissus & fir trees are all toxic to your dog. The degree of toxicity depends on the plant and the amount ingested. Check the ASPCA's toxic plant page, which comes complete with photos, for the complete list. Other decorations such as tinsel, glass or Hallmark-type ornaments, artificial trees and garland, and even the wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows used to decorate gifts may pose threats to your dog's health if ingested.
7. Watch for signs that your dog needs a potty break. If the dog is in an unfamiliar area, his potty training may break down. When in doubt, give your dog the opportunity to go outside once an hour. Set the alarm on your cell phone as a reminder if needed. It's better to excuse yourself to take your dog outside, than to apologize for an accident later.
8. Be sensitive to the feelings of guests who may dislike dogs or be fearful of them for one reason or another. You might love it when your 100-pound Rottie puts his front paws on your shoulders and slathers you with kisses, but not everyone does.
9. Maintain your dog's regular schedule as much as possible. If he goes for a 4PM walk, then eats dinner at 6PM, followed by bedtime at 9PM every other day of the year, excuse yourself at these times to attend to his needs.
10. There may be areas of the home that your host doesn't want your dog to explore. Respect those boundaries. We always carry 2 doggy gates when we travel to help prevent the dogs from venturing into off-limit areas of the home. Don't assume that there will be doors or that your host will supply barriers for your use.
11. If there are other pets present, keep a close eye on your dog's interaction with them. Remember that not all dogs are well-socialized and that many cats do not tolerate dogs under any circumstances. Older and infirm animals may lash out at the friendliest of puppies, out of fear that they could be hurt. Unless you know the other pets very well, keep them separated or everyone on leash. It only takes a second for a normal, happy play session between two or more dogs to turn ugly.
12. If your dog is possessive over toys, chews, or food, be vigilant about removing tempting items from his reach. If the items belong to your host's children or animals, or those accompanying another guest, ask permission first and make sure you explain that you are doing it for the safety of everyone involved.
While this seems like a huge list of things to consider, it isn't... really. After a holiday party or two, covering all your bases will become automatic. And preventing problems before they occur makes for a much happier holiday for everyone.
Yappy Howlidays from me, Mickey, Mo, Winston, & Jax
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