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The holidays may be a happy and festive time, full of celebrations and good cheer, but it can turn into a sad time for dog owners if they don't take some simple precautions to protect their pet.

Steve Brooks is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and the founder of SteveBrooksK9U in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. Brooks said he has been training dogs for about 15 years.

He has worked with every breed imaginable."Most of the dogs I get are rescue dogs, puppies, big small, everything," Brooks said. Thousands of dogs have graduated from SteveBrooksK9U and his clients include Hollywood celebrities. He is featured on the commentary for the "Marley and Me" DVD. The motion picture comes to theaters on Christmas Day, but production for the DVD is already underway. Brooks laid out some guidelines for taking care of man's best friend at this time of the year.

Potential holiday poisons
"Chocolate is big on the holidays," Brooks said. Dog owners should be wary of chocolate around their pet.

Brooks said if a dog ingests chocolate it can create heart and central nervous system problems, especially unsweetened bakers chocolate, which contains 10 times as much caffeine and theobromine as milk chocolate - as little as 1.6 ounces eaten by a 10-pound dog could be fatal.

Also, stick to milk bones and stay away from the real thing when treating your dog.

"Chicken, turkey and pork bones pierce a dog's esophagus," Brooks said. "Greasy table scraps, again sound tasty, but a single ingestion of food, onions, garlic, moldy walnuts, mushrooms, mashed potatoes can create a life threatening inflammation in the pancreas."

Partying can be fun for dog owners but can soon turn to disaster if owners leave alcohol and Aspirin lying around in their dog's reach.

"With alcohol and medications, we all tend to get a little loose on holidays, but keep in mind that one ounce of 20-proof alcohol can put a small dog in a coma," Brooks said. "You also may be reaching for headache medications after the party, but don't leave medicines or alcohol in your dog's reach."

Don't let your dog eat acetaminophen, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen.

"Dogs do not process ibuprofen-based products like people do," Brooks said. "Pain relievers like Ibuprofen can have serious side effects.

"The medication can poison a dog or cause serious or deadly complications such as heart failure, liver failure, kidney disease, dehydration, diarrhea or urinary obstruction.

"Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also toxic to dogs because they do not metabolize these medications as we do. Ingestion of these medications can cause: vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, dark colored urine and listlessness." While holiday plants may make your house look festive beware of at least one common variety.

"Holly is a danger because it induces vomiting, diarrhea and central nervous system depression in dogs," Brooks said.

Fruit and nut trees are also dangerous for dogs. "Apple, peach, almond, cherry and apricot trees, their stems and leaves have traces of cyanide," he said. Most people know the Christmas carol with the line, "Mistletoe hung where you can see," it's a good idea for dog owners to not have mistletoe around at all. "If a dog is munching on the holiday mainstay, it can create cardiac problems in dogs," Brooks warned.

Although poinsettias are pretty to look at and are a common decoration, Brooks said they can be irritating to a dog's mouth, stomach and their heart.

Other holiday decorations may look your house look more festive, but beware of these: ornaments, tinsel, artificial snow and candles.

"Shiny shapes attract dogs," Brooks said.
If tinsel is swallowed, it can require surgery to remove.
"They can cause the intestines to bunch up so that food cannot pass through properly," he said.

Dogs are attracted to shiny flames in candles.
"That can be a fire hazard for your pet, house and the family, if your dog gets too excited around the flame," Brooks said. "Candles that are covered are preferable."
Artificial snow is toxic to dogs and most pets."If consumed in larger amounts, they can causeblockage of the intestine," Brooks said.If you have a tree, watch that your dog doesn't mark his territory on the tree.

Kenneling
"One advice, kennels fill up fast over the holidays and sometimes people wait too long," Brooks said. "You should really book a kennel a month ahead of time."
Before booking a kennel, visually go there and see it.
"I never kennel my dog unless I walk through it first, if they don't let you do it that's a red flag," Brooks said. "Look for cleanliness, smell, it shouldn't smell like pee.
"Dogs shouldn't be barking. If they are, how do the people deal with it?

"I've seen all sorts of crazy things, people banging cages with sticks, to aroma therapy and classical music and enriching the dog's environment with proper toys."
Brooks has seen one extreme to another.

"I would look for the latter that I mentioned (classical music, toys etc.)," he said. "If the kennel is quiet, clean and smells nice. Also look at the other dogs and their body language.

"Talk to an owner when they leave in the parking lot and see what they think. Also, ask the kennel for referrals."

Try a test run kenneling before your vacation to see how your dog does.

Some places have Web cams for owners to check on their dogs while they're away.

It's also good to check out the staff's qualifications.
"Is there someone there at night?" Brooks said. "A lot of places don't have anyone there at night. So, if your dog is left alone, ask how many hours are they left alone?"

A few other things to check: the ratio of staff per dog, if the dogs are crated or kept separately or is it a free run place.

"Dogs are safer if they're on their own because they'll want to go to a private place where they're secure and safe," he said. "Some dogs won't let up and others like to rest. Those are some of the cage-free pros and cons."

Holiday parties and your pet
If you're taking your pet to a party or on an overnight stay at a friend or family member's home, Brooks suggested, "Wash your dog if you're bringing it to a friend's house. Your dog will feel better, and people will appreciate it. It's common courtesy."

Other things to be aware of are if your host has a dog or cat or if any of the guests are allergic. Also, if your dog isn't potty trained, that can pose a problem.
There is a good way to introduce dogs.

"Let them meet ahead of time, outside of the house in a neutral area, or you can rub a rag in your dog's genital area and they can smell each other with the rag," Brook said.

"Make sure if there is another dog around to keep their leashes on, where they'll feel safe," he said. You can also separate them with baby gates."Dogs get territorial over food bowls, beds, tables, by their owners for attention," Brooks said. "You'll see jealousy happen.

"You should also pick up every toy or put down many toys. Put down three or four water bowls, not just one, in the yard. They might get territorial over them."It's also a good idea to keep a head halter and leash on your dogs," he said.

Guests and dogs
How a dog will react around guests depends on the dog. "Some dogs are highly reactive to screaming kids and yelling, others hide in the corner, while some just lay there," Brooks said. "If you don't want kids running and screaming around the dog, put your dog where you need to, in a crate, a dog run, a baby gated laundry room or bedroom."

You can also prepare your dog for loud noises, excitement and chaos a week or so before the party.

"Stop giving everything for free, love, toys and food," he said. "Use things to redirect the dog when it's distracted by the chaos.
"If he hasn't seen his Kong toy and the party is happening, your dog will chew on the Kong with cream cheese, or peanut butter in it. Redirect him with something better."

Brooks also suggested a lavender massage a week or two prior to guests coming. "If you play classical music really low and put a bit of lavender oil on your dog's collar, at the party they'll associate that smell with relaxing," Brooks said. "Chamomile, lavender and peppermint, also work."

Before using products like that on your pet always check with your vet first.

"Exercise prior to your guests coming and do some obedience training," he said.


Make sure your dog has been mentally and physically stimulated before your guests show up.
"Then your animal will be tired," he said. "Another great tip that's easy to forget, make sure you have your leash on in the house. It makes your dog calmer.

"They know you're in charge. If you're unsure always put the dog somewhere else that's safe for them."

Online resources for Holiday pet safety tips
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: www.aspca.org

Cheyenne Animal Shelter: www.cheyenneanimalshelter.org

PetSource: PetSource.org

Steve Brooks dog trainer: www.stevebrooksK9U.com

Pet poisoning
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control: 888-426-4435
Or call your local veterinarian

Pet safety
Cheyenne Animal Shelter: 632-6655

More holiday pet tips
Be Aware of your trash: To make sure your pet doesn't get into any potentially harmful food, put all food away immediately after consuming. The garbage contains all kinds of hazardous material, so be sure to pet-proof your trash bin.

• Easy Escape: Put a sign on your front door to remind guests who might not remember to keep the family pet inside. Always keep your pet on a leash when they're out and about.
• Gift Wrap: Keep wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, string and scissors away from pets. Resist the temptation to tie a ribbon around your dog's or cat's neck. This may look cute, but can potentially be very dangerous.
• Christmas Tree Safety: Place the Christmas tree in a stable stand to keep it from moving or falling on your pet. Christmas lights and fixtures should be taped down and cords should be covered to avoid shocks and burns to curious pets. Decorating the tree with food such as candy canes, gingerbread men or popcorn can be pretty, but also very dangerous if a pet decides to eat some of it.

 

By Karen Cotton
kcotton@wyomingnews.com