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4 Ways To Prepare Your Dog For Holiday Parties

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Preparing Your Dog for Holiday Parties and Guests

Prepare Your Dog For Holiday Parties
JackF/Adobe Stock

Holiday season is in full swing, and everyone’s preparing their homes for festive gatherings. This week, I’ve been overwhelmed with private dog training lessons focused on teaching Fido polite manners during holiday parties. Before I share my recommended holiday safety tips for pets, it’s important that pet owners understand and set fair expectations for themselves and their dogs.

Having Fido lie leisurely under the dining table is a pipe dream. Yes, everyone wants this picturesque holiday moment, but it’s stressful and unrealistic for pet owners and their dogs. Additionally, holiday parties are noisy and confusing to dogs. And it only takes a second for your dog to run out the door while guests come in and out. Lastly, holiday guests can easily step on or unintentionally feed your dog dangerous foods.

By taking the time to prepare your dog for holiday parties, you can keep your dog safe and relaxed throughout the festivities.

1. Take Your Dog on a Long Walk

About an hour or so before your party guests arrive, take your dog out for a long walk. Ensure your dog has plenty of sniffing opportunities because sniffing is just as exhausting as walking. If the weather is terrible, play Nose Work, tug or fetch with your dog instead.

2. Prepare Pumpkin Stuffed Toys Beforehand

Giving your dog a yummy food stuffed toy will keep your dog’s brain busy during holiday parties. The night before your holiday party, prepare yummy food stuffed toys and freeze them overnight. In keeping with your holiday party theme, stuff bits of lean turkey (white meat with skin removed) and pumpkin into a food stuffed toy and store in your freezer.

If your dog is watching his waistline, mix pumpkin and blackstrap molasses together and stuff inside a toy. Pumpkin is a low calorie option and molasses provides a healthy, yet sweet taste that will keep your dog busy for hours.

3. Keep Your Dog Happily Contained

Place your dog’s crate in your bedroom and place cozy bedding inside. About 30 mins before your guests arrive, crate your dog and leave him with a food stuffed toy and a few treats. Close his crate door and turn on soft music. When leaving your bedroom, firmly close the door behind you. Post a note on the door saying, “Please don’t open.” This will ensure lost guests understand this door doesn’t lead to the bathroom.

4. Meeting Guests

Of course, you should introduce your dog to guests as long as your dog and guests are comfortable meeting each other. Once everyone has sat down with a beverage, bring your dog out on leash to greet everyone. Keep a stash of yummy dog training treats in your bedroom, and grab them as you’re walking your dog out to greet everyone. This is the perfect time to reward your dog for polite choices around guests and show off your dog’s skills. After 10 minutes, grab another frozen food stuffed toy and crate your dog in your bedroom again. Your dog will be exhausted after meeting guests.

Happy Holidays!

Dog Breed of the Week: Chinese Crested Dog

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Meet the Chinese Crested Dog

Chinese Crested Dog
volofin/iStock

What a traveled dog breed! Chinese Crested Dogs are difficult to trace  back to their hairless origins because they’re basically mutations resulting from many other breeds all over the world. Someone enjoyed their naked appearance, so he began selectively breeding for less hair.

Today, there are two varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs: hairless and powder puff. Now, the hairless version is not truly without hair. They usually have tiny tufts of fur placed on their head, feet and tail almost appearing equine. Powder puff varieties have more hair and interestingly it’s a recessive gene.

Chinese Crested Dogs are part of the AKC Toy Group, meaning they were bred as a companion dog. However, don’t let their petite and pretty looks fool you. They’re fierce ratters too!

Size and Temperament

Cresteds stand at about 11″ to 13″ tall at the shoulder and weigh between 5 to 12 lbs. They’re perfectly sized as a lap dog. Due to their small size, children should be taught how to pick up, hold and carry these dogs gently to prevent injuries. They are gentle, playful dogs that are tolerant of other pets (probably not rodents) and strangers, and truly love to be with their humans.

Health and Dietary Needs

Chinese Crested Dogs have a 13- to 15-year lifespan. As with all pure and mixed breed dogs, they have some health issues. Major health concerns include PRA and glaucoma (eye disease), deafness, seizures and patellar luxation (moving kneecap).

Finding a Chinese Crested Dog rescue or breeder may require a bit of commitment, as they’re not as common as other breeds. If you decide to purchase a Crested, it’s vital to find a reputable breeder that health tests all parents and grandparents before breeding to ensure healthy puppies and adults. If you choose to rescue a Chinese Crested Dog, ask your veterinarian to examine your Crested’s eyes, check for hearing and feel his patellas (knees).

As with all dogs, feeding your dog a nutritious high quality diet that meets his specific needs will help him live a longer, healthier life. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right diet for your dog.

RELATED: Homemade Diets for Dogs

Dog Grooming Needs

No hair, no fuss, right? Well, that’s not exactly true. Hairless Chinese Cresteds need regular skin care, such as regular bathing with a gentle shampoo, to keep clogged pores to a minimum. Don’t forget moisturizer and sunscreen. Their skin is constantly exposed to harsh elements, so it’s crucial to protect their skin. Powder puff and hairless versions should be brushed every day or two to prevent mats and tangles. Don’t forget: hairless varieties have tufts of hair that tangle easily.

Nails, Ears and Teeth

Check and trim nails regularly. Keeping them trimmed with clippers or a grinder will help prevent overgrowth and cracking, which can be very painful. Don’t forget to peek inside their ears too. They should be clean and odor-free.

Brushing your Chinese Crested Dog’s teeth is really important. They tend to have thinner enamel and irregular dentition. By brushing regularly, you can help prevent tooth loss or decay.

Exercise and Dog Training Requirements

A Chinese Crested Dog’s exercise requirements are minimal. However, they love to be involved in whatever fun their owner is having, so be prepared to have your fun friend tag along on walks and outdoor games. If it gets cold where you live, your Crested will need a sweater, as the breed has a low tolerance for cooler temperatures. If it gets too cold for him outside, indoor games of fetch and obedience will be more than sufficient for his daily exercise.

These little dogs are wickedly smart! Enroll in positive reinforcement group training classes and try agility and other fun sports, such as lure coursing, barn hunting (locating rats) and, of course, spending lots of time with you. Always keep it positive and fun just like their personality!

Conclusion

The Chinese Crested Dog is a fun, spirited and sensitive dog that can make a great addition to your family. If you’re considering one of these unique dogs, please do as much research as possible to ensure they are a good fit for you. I also invite you to visit a couple of the links listed below.

Sources:
www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chinese-crested
chinesecrested.rescueshelter.com/USA

Yorkshire Terriers

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Yorkshire Terrier Breed Info

Yorkshire Terrier
Learn if a Yorkie is the right breed for you.

Hello love. The diva toy Terrier, lovingly nicknamed Yorkie! Is a Yorkshire Terrier the right breed for you? Find out!

Yorkie Facts

Yorkshire Terriers are named after Yorkshire, a city in England. They were bred to hunt vermin, capture and kill vermin, mostly rats, in clothing mills. While Yorkies are tiny and adorable, their small size fits perfectly into rodent holes. Later, Yorkies became companion dogs for European high society where, again, their small size continued to be an asset. Now sprinkle in long flowing hair and beautiful brown eyes, and they became the perfect “high society” accessory. But trust me, Yorkies still possess Terrier genes even if they’re wearing bows and nail polish. Try walking them next to a small rodent hole in the park. They will carry on like a Terrier. 🙂

Yorkshire Terrier puppies are born with darker coats, which lighten up as they grow. Usually their tails are docked at 2-3 days old in the U.S. Yorkies are under 7 pounds and usually live up to 12+ years.

Temperament

Yorkies are Terriers, which explains their courage. They have a small body with a large dog personality, and will not think twice to bark at a Great Dane. It’s important to socialize them as puppies, especially before 16 weeks of age. I know, they are so tiny then, but after 16 weeks of age, their socialization window closes.

While it’s disheartening to some to witness the pluckiness of a Terrier, I say embrace it. Not only are Yorkies breathtakingly beautiful, they are smart and maintain a strong work ethic. Yorkies excel in agility, obedience, Earth Dog trails and the newest terrier adventure, barn hunting.

Yorkies are tiny and some are teacup size (2-4 pounds as an adult) so keep them away from small children. Yorkies can easily be stepped on or dropped, which can cause serious injuries from these types of accidents. While many pet owners are fascinated with teacup Yorkies, they are even more fragile so keep them safe.

Training

Due to their Terrier tendencies, it’s best to enroll them in puppy and basic manners group class.  Plus, Yorkies excel at learning new behaviors, especially when paired with positive reinforcement and clicker training! Not only will they learn polite manners, but they will also build confidence around larger dogs and meet different people. While we smile when Yorkies growl at larger dogs, this is usually due to lack of confidence. Read tips on locating the best professional dog trainer here.

Digging is very common with Terriers, as it’s what they were bred for. As most Yorkies live in apartments or homes with minimal yards, it’s important to provide plenty of digging opportunities or they will dig in your leather sofa. 🙂 Find a large box, then cut a side hole so your Yorkie can easily enter the box. Now fill the box with old towels and newspaper, then scatter treats within the layers. Turn your Yorkie loose, show him the hole and now he has a digging pit! If he’s not sure about entering the hole, scatter a few treats next to the outside and inside entrance.

I’ve heard potty training can be troublesome with Yorkies, or basically small dogs in general. I don’t think it’s breed specific, but size specific if that makes sense. Smaller dogs have smaller bladders plus it’s pretty darn hard to tell if a Yorkie puppy is urinating or sitting, right? So, it’s easy for mistakes to go unnoticed, which makes potty training even tougher. Read more potty training tips, and for apartment dwellers, read paper training tips.

Barking can be an issue, as with all dogs. I’m hesitant to label any breed as an excessive barker, as dogs are individuals, but some are more vocal than others. It’s important to find the trigger for your Yorkie’s barking and problem solve from there.  If your Yorkie is barking at everything, partner with a professional dog trainer who can zero in on the trigger. There is always a trigger, even if it’s a lack of confidence. Lack of confidence can easily be solved with participation in a positive reinforcement group class. 🙂

Grooming

While Yorkies need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks, they really don’t have a dense undercoat. Instead, they have silky long hair that can easily tangle. If your Yorkie tangles easily, ask your professional groomer for product recommendations. Every week, you should completely brush out your Yorkie using a pin brush (brush with bristles further apart than most brushes), which untangles his coat without breaking or splitting his hair.

Don’t forget weekly nail trims and ear cleanings. Due to their smaller size (big teeth in a smaller mouth), Yorkies are predisposed to gum disease so brush his teeth several times a week with dog toothpaste and a tiny soft bristled toothbrush (child size).

Health Issues

Yorkies are pretty healthy, but they are predisposed to eye disease. Also, they can develop patellar luxation, meaning their knee caps can move or pop out of place, which is pretty painful.

Locate a Yorkshire Terrier

If a Yorkie sounds like the right dog for you, locate responsible breeders and rescues at Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. These folks are the experts in this breed and health test their dogs to prevent painful health issues in the future.

Best Dog Training Books For Beginners

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Dog Training Books

Dog Training Books
Continue to learn by reading the best dog training books in the industry. dtatiana/Adobe Stock

Written for dog trainers with less than 2 years of experience.

If you’re a dog trainer, regardless of experience level, it’s so important to continue learning. While attending conferences and seminars are a huge plus, reading dog training books provides an in-depth look into specific topics as well as references when you encounter obstacles. As a dog trainer, I highly recommend this reading list with the assumption that beginner dog trainers have an understanding of basic classroom setup, management and curriculum.

Best Puppy Training Book

“Puppy Start Right – Foundation Training for the Companion Dog”
by Kenneth Martin and Debbie Martin

If you’re looking for the ultimate puppy training book, then you must read this book! Dr. Kenneth Martin and Debbie Martin provide information left out of most books about teaching body handling and muzzle training. Plus, they include a good refresher on clicker training and step-by-step information on shaping behaviors, which is a challenging skill for beginner dog trainers. Reading and referencing this book will certainly prepare you to offer the most current information in puppy classes!

Best Learning Theory Book

“Don’t Shoot the Dog” and “Reaching the Animal Mind”
by  Karen Pryor

If you have not read these books yet, then run and purchase them right away! Karen explains a beautiful dog learning theory, variable schedules of reinforcement and how animals learn. A tip: highlight and bookmark your “ah ha moments” so when you’re feeling burned out, take a peek and understand why you fell in love with dog training in the first place! 🙂

Best Canine Body Language Book

“Canine Behavior: A Photo Illustrated Handbook”
by Barbara Handelman

An important skill to learn, as a dog trainer, is how to read and interpret canine body language. Barbara’s book not only explains body language, but the reference pictures are also amazing! This book is HUGE and packed full of pictures with detailed explanations. Tip: when viewing each picture, think through solutions to prevent this behavior from happening. This will teach you to react quickly, especially to an “agnostic pucker”!

Best Teaching Pet Parents Book

“Ebook: The Human Half of Dog Training – Collaborating with Clients to Get Results”
by Risë VanFleet
&
“It’s Not the Dogs, It’s the People!”
by Nicole Wilde

Oh, but teaching dogs are only half of it and it’s so important to understand how to interact, teach and provide feedback to pet parents. In my opinion, this is the hard part! Not only do you need to interpret human body language, you need to also understand how to tactfully explain instructions, several times if needed, to ensure the pet parent understands specific concepts. Well, here ya go — the two best books out there! Don’t skimp by purchasing only one book (it’s so important to read several points of view).

So you’ve noticed, a few topics are missing, such as dog aggression, anxiety and fearfulness. Beginner dog trainers must have a full understanding of the above topics before diving into the deep end, meaning aggression. For my full thought process on this topic, check out these dog behavior articles.

What is your favorite dog training book?

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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