CHANNEL Pets with DogHQ

12 Pet Tips of Christmas

This loveable Channel Magazine feature is presented by Louise O’Sullivan of DogHQ, the North Shore’s premium Dog Day Care facility. DogHQ provides the ultimate in social, physical and mental stimulation for dogs of all types in a safe and caring environment. DogHQ’s full range of services include obedience training, agility fun days, grooming and all natural nutrition. See all the fun for yourself at www.doghq.co.nz and www.facebook.com/doghq

The festive season is upon us and as we start to indulge in the celebration of life, family and friendship let’s think about the pets in our lives and what to keep in mind for them at this time.

1. Pre-Christmas Stress
Your dear pets are probably already beginning to sense the increased tension and stress in the house. If they were in the house this time last year, they probably recognise a pattern and realise that very soon tasty bits of ham may be dropping to the floor making the extra time alone and stressed out parents just bearable!
Pets are far more in tune with our state of mind than we generally give them credit for and they are very sensitive to change. So, if your pet starts to display new or unusual behaviours during this time please take a look at yourself before you start to label your pet.
2. Animals as Presents
Pets make great gifts for many, many reasons. This is from the human perspective at least. From the perspective of the animal being gifted, it could go either way. If you intend to give an animal as a gift to someone this Christmas please take some responsibility for the future of the animal you have gifted. If for some reason the gift is not quite what the receiver wanted or can manage to care for … please be there to help find a solution.
3. Boarding
If you’re going away over the holiday period, you probably have your pet care organised already. As pet owners we are now blessed with a variety of boarding/care options compared to many years ago. On top of traditional kennel and cattery options, there are many pet sitting and pet/house sitting services available now. Different pets have different needs and if you are a great animal lover, with a house full of pets – house sitting may well be your only option!
As with any service, please check the credentials of anyone you are leaving to care for your animals and then you can have complete peace-of-mind when you
go away!
4. Parting with your pet
If you trust the people you are leaving your pet with there is absolutely no need for you to fill yourself with concern when the time comes to part with your pet. A very good comment made by Cesar Millan at his recent event was that you do your pet no favours by “feeling bad” and upset when you part with your pet. You are simply leaving your pet in a concerned state as you swan off on your holiday. Leave your pet thinking you are happy and confident about where you are leaving them and they will settle in much better!
5. Christmas treats
To all those Lab owners out there….beware of the increased potential for over indulgence that Christmas brings! Don’t be tempted to give in to those sad puppy eyes for a bit more ham or chicken. Your pet’s diet doesn’t need to change at all over the Christmas period.
6. It’s getting hot
Christmas is when the weather starts to hot up (excluding Christmas Day). If you are running around in the car doing your Christmas shopping please don’t take your dog with you! It doesn’t take long for a dog to overheat in a car. Leave them at home…. Or at Day Care!
Make sure your pets have access to plenty of water… and that the water is in the shade. You would be surprised how hot water left in a bowl in the sun can get! It is also a good idea to have more than one water access point inside and outside. If the water is inside and the pet accidentally gets locked outside... no water!
7. More fireworks
Don’t forget that Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve typically come with a repeat of Guy Fawkes day. Be prepared for this in the same way you might for that day of the year many pet owners dread.
8. Having guests around
Christmas is a great time to practice all your obedience training! Many people have an issue or two with dog behaviour related to visiting humans. So if you are having people around you have the perfect opportunity to practice. Feel free to give your guests instructions around what you do/do not want them to do when they arrive eg. please ignore the dog. If you instruct people beforehand it can make the training and the experience so much easier.
9. Post boarding blues
Regardless of how robust your pet is, a significant change like being boarded can cause some stress. It is just like when you are travelling and sometimes find it hard to sleep in a strange place. So, you can expect your pet to be very pleased to see you when you return… and they may sleep a great deal for the next day or two. At the end of the day, there is no place like home.
10. Abandoned pets
A sad side of Christmas is the increased number of abandoned pets at this time of year. Something the SPCA and other re-homing organisations know only too well. This is why number 2 on this list is so important! And please don’t forget the great work these organisations do when you are giving this Christmas.
11. Under the Tree
Lovely dangling tree decorations and beautifully wrapped presents look fantastic but might prove WAY too tempting for your average kitten or young dog. Don’t expect your playful pet to appreciate the hours you have spent preparing your tree and presents… nor to understand that the fun things wrapped up under the tree aren’t new toys just for them.
12. Taking your pet with you
As with the increasing number of services coming available for pet care while you are away, more and more accommodation options are available for those of you who want to take your pet with you.
There is even a dedicated website to help you, check out
www.petscancometoo.co.nz