Planning ahead for your dog’s holiday safety

Katie Ockert<ockertka@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

The busy holiday season is quickly approaching. For many families, that means decorations, hosting others and traveling. While the festivities are happening, what do you do with your dog?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It is estimated that over 43 percent of American families have a dog, and during the holiday season their comfort and safety is a dynamic to stop and consider as plans are made. Allowing youth to take responsibility to make appropriate plans for your families’ dog’s safety is a great way to practice life skills in responsibility and planning.

The holiday season often kicks off with decorating and baking. Make sure your dog will be safe from ingesting things they should not. With new temptations, like presents, trees and tasty human treats, dogs should be closely monitored to make sure they are not getting into any of these things. Remember, they are naturally curious animals. It is a great practice to keep baked goods in containers and set up barriers around trees and other decorations to reduce the temptation.

If you are planning to host others at your house for celebrations, remember that dogs are territorial by nature. They may not be comfortable with new people and hosting festivities could be very stressful for them. To prevent any stress on your dog, provide them with a quiet, comfortable space they are familiar with where they can stay in while others are in your home.

Some dogs are very social and love visitors, but others are not; know your dog’s personality and respond accordingly. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to make sure your pet is safe and comfortable as well as your guests.

Lastly, if you are planning on traveling, have you made plans for your dog? Will you have someone take care of them in your home? Will you board him or take them to another person’s house to stay? Whatever you decide to do, make sure your dog is well taken care of.

Taking the time to plan ahead will make a world of difference as you prepare for the holiday season.

To learn more about Michigan 4-H Animal Science Programs, please visit Michigan State University Extension’s Animal Science page.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

Find your spark with image of 4-H clover.

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • 4-h,
  • 4-h animal science,
  • 4-h companion animals,
  • animal science,
  • children and youth,
  • life skills,
  • msu extension
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).