Keep your pets safe in this 'most wonderful time of the year'

The song says "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" and for most of us, it truly is. But have you ever stopped to consider what this time of year is like for our dogs? Erratic schedules, lots of different people, breaks in beloved routines, upset tummy - on and on it goes. Even with easygoing, adaptable dogs, accidents and illness can happen.

Avoid something going wrong this holiday season for you and your pet:

• Make sure your dog wears an ID tag with a current home and/or cell-phone number. Even if your dog has a microchip, many well-meaning rescuers do not have the scanner or access to your contact information. A dog gone missing will surely ruin your holiday. Take some extra precautions when answering the doorbell or during your own frequent comings and goings by crating your dog (if you've trained this), removing the dog to a safe and secure spot, or tethering your dog to a spot where he/she can watch the action without becoming the action.

• Watch for potential poisoning/choking hazards.

Veterinarians report seeing an increase in emergency vet visits at the holidays from a guest's prescription medications being inadvertently left out where a dog could consume them.

Watch out for candies, mints, and gum containing Xylitol, an artificial sweetener.

Of course, most people know not to give a dog chocolate, but I once had a Lab mix eat over three pounds of See's Candy and the worst of it was the chocolate vomit and chocolate diarrhea I had to clean up.

(100 percent pure cocoa is the killer, for sure, but that's not an excuse to give your dog any milk chocolate!) Some other toxic foodstuffs are raisins, grapes, and onions.

Macadamia nuts can cause temporary paralysis, and yeast dough can expand in the gut, causing gastrointestinal issues and even rupture.

Did you know holly and mistletoe are poisonous? Poinsettias, however, are not, that's just an urban myth.

Many of the rich, wonderful foods we eat at this time of year can seriously mess with a dog's digestive tract, so avoid those begging eyes and take out the trash to avoid any "scavenging." Many vets are closed on holidays, so know where your nearest emergency vet hospital is and keep the number on "speed dial." Did you know there is an app for that? Yep, there is a Smartphone app that will locate the nearest 24/7 veterinarian, great for you if you are traveling with your pet.

• Managing a resource-guarding dog may save his life! Many dog owners don't consider what can happen if their dog is a resource guarder. That's the dog that will snarl, snap, or (even worse) bite, when the visiting toddler gets too near their food dish, toy, or favorite resting spot. If your dog is a resource guarder, it won't be a bad idea to feed your dog in a secure spot, remove the much-loved and fiercely guarded toy, or manage your dog so that an accidental bite won't happen. This is one of the easiest behaviors to modify in dogs, so a little training can go a long way.

• Make sure that your dog has some rock-solid behaviors, such as "sit" or "down." Think about your 80-year-old grandma or 1-year-old nephew that comes for a visit and gets knocked down by your over-exuberant, four-legged door greeter. Even happy tails can be a problem when a child gets knocked across the face by that indicator of "I'm so happy you are here! Pet me, pet me!" When company comes, have your dog sit for petting and reward him/her handsomely when they do.

If you just don't have the kind of time to train your dog, put the dog in a secure spot while your guests arrive and allow your dog to greet them once he/she has calmed down and, preferably, when your guests are seated. There is nothing wrong with telling your guests to ignore the dog completely unless he/she offers good behavior.

Give your dog an outlet for pent-up energy.

You may not have time for a long walk, or the weather may be working against you, but you do have lots of great options.

Check the Internet for recommendations for interactive toys and brain-engaging activities.

Kong toys make the best chewies when stuffed with kibble, a dot of squeeze cheese, or peanut butter, and then frozen.

How about a food puzzle or some nose work to entertain your mutt when you finally sit down to wrap all those holiday gifts? (One of my dogs' favorite toys is an empty plastic juice jug that can either contain some kibble to be removed, or just be "herded" with a nose or paw.) Doggie Daycare is another great option for dogs that do not have aggression issues.

If you've got the resources, hire a pet walker to come take Fido for a nice, long walk when you just don't have the time.

You are ultimately responsible for the bill if the dog ends up at the vet; you will be held liable for any damage or fees incurred with retrieving the free-for-all runaway; and you will have the saddest heart if something happens to your dear pal that could have easily been prevented. When it comes to your dog's behavior, you get what you reinforce, so if you reinforce good behavior (and ignore/redirect bad behavior), that behavior is more likely to reoccur! Make yourself a New Year's resolution to spend time with a qualified, reward-based trainer, or educate yourself on humane training methods which, incidentally, take only minutes a day to teach.

Here's wishing you a safe and wonderful Holiday Season for you and your Furry Friends!

Monica Rendon is the owner of Mutts About You. Visit her at http://muttsaboutyou.weebly.com