Get everyone on board before taking your pet to holiday gatherings
By Christie Keith
December 3, 2008
Going over the hill to grandma’s house for the holidays? Planning on bringing the four-legged family members along? Gina and Dr. Marty Becker have some ideas on how to make sure everyone has a great visit:
Minimizing visiting pet conflicts isn’t hard, as long as everyone follows basic “petiquette” in planning and managing visits. Here are some tips:
* Consider your pets — and resident pets — before the visit: Even if your pets are welcome, taking them may not be the best of ideas. Visiting is not a good idea if the resident pet will be stressed by yours. It’s not fair for the family cat to spend the holidays under the bed because a new dog is roaming the house.
And not all pets are good visitors. Most cats would prefer to stay home, and many dogs are better left behind with a pet sitter or in a good boarding kennel.
To be a good guest, a dog must know basic obedience and be able to remain well-mannered under all circumstances. No knocking over a frail aunt or tiny toddler, and no stealing food off the counters or tables. Since you can’t retrain a dog just for a visit, you can solve the pets-on-the-bed problem by bringing along old sheets to throw over the top of your host’s bedding.
* Don’t make assumptions: If you’re expecting pet-loving company, don’t assume they’ll leave their pets at home. Ask them, and don’t be shy about setting conditions if you’re willing to welcome a four-legged visitor.
By the same token, don’t presume the welcome mat is out for your pet. Not everyone loves pets, and even those who do may not want your pet to visit for many legitimate reasons, including allergies, non-pet-friendly decor, other pets, and fearful or fragile family members.
It’s essential to not only get permission but also to be clear on the rules of the house. A frank discussion beforehand can prevent many conflicts. Ask where the pet can sleep, and where he’ll be expected to relieve himself (don’t forget to clean up afterward!).
If friendly agreement isn’t possible, a pet-friendly hotel room nearby is the best option.
After you check out the rest of Gina and Dr. Becker’s tips, read advice from Susan Tripp, MS, and Rolan Tripp, DVM on how to keep your dog from running out the door, get the numbers on the mom factor in pet shopping, get the scoop on bird health, and find out why Chinese shar-peis have wrinkles:
A team of Spanish scientists has come up with the answer. Known as mucinosis, the condition is a genetic alteration that multiplies the activity of a particular enzyme. When it goes into overdrive, it produces excessive amounts of hyaluronic acid, which gathers under the skin and produces wrinkles. The researchers hope that this knowledge of the genetic basis of mucinosis will permit better breeding programs aimed at improving the health of the breed, as well as provide a better understanding of the biology of tissues surrounding cells and the processes of cell recognition and aging.
All this and more, in our Pet Connection newspaper feature, which you can read on the Universal Press Syndicate Web site.
I love dogs. All dogs. But I don’t love all *guests* with dogs. One brought a small dog - passed off as ‘service dog’ - that barked incessantly and peed all over my house. I liked the dog. The owner… not so much.
Another came with 4 border collies, including one in standing heat. Great owner — and the dogs weren’t a problem.
If your dog is a problem you need to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Comment by Janeen — December 3, 2008 @ 9:57 am
And if you are visiting with your pet, make sure everyone understands to keep any products that contain xylitol out of the pet’s reach!!! That could be candy canes hung on the tree, Tic-Tacs in your pocket or pocket book, or a host of candy products, since the FDA seems to allow xylitol to be labeled as ‘sugar’. Better safe than sorry!
See the following posters’ blogs about the ubiquitous poison: A Dog’s Life and Terrierman.
Comment by Anne T — December 3, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
You know what else: People who don’t have pets often put prescription Rx on countertops or nightstands.
Dr. Hansen of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center did an experiment with his own dog to see how long it took her to chew open a pill bottle. (He put candie in it, to be safe.)
15 seconds.
He told us (for our upcoming Parade magazine piece) that meds are a top poisoning problem, both human and pet, prescription and OTC. Dogs, especially, think pills rattling in a bottle is a toy.
So … if you have guests, remind them to secure meds. And if you are visiting, be sure all meds are put in drawers or cupboards.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 3, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
This reminds me of when Ginger came to visit. She kept putting her purse on the table, and I kept moving it to the top of the TV cabinet or refrigerator.
She has Basset Hounds. Couldn’t wrap her brain around how tall my dogs are!
Comment by Christie Keith — December 3, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
Ha! My dogs aren’t big, but they are extremely agile, have both an insatiable curiosity and appetite, and since most have some level of agility training, do not subscribe to tables as a sacred space, especially the one in the kitchen.
My breeder delivered my youngest dog to me. She brought his sire with her, as they planned to attend an LC event on their way back home so he could chase the bunny. They spent the night, and that morning during our breakfast, one of mine marched into the guest room, pulled down the zipper of her carry bag, removed a gigantic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar, and left the wrapper almost intact! Thank Dog for syringes and hydrogen pyroxide!
Looking in my kitchen just now, the top of my pie safe where I keep my chocolate stash probably wouldn’t be safe from a determined Deerhound, Borzoi, Chart Polski, Ibizan or IW.
Comment by Anne T — December 3, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
I know first hand about taking dogs to places they are not wanted… as dog owners we think that most people like dogs like we do, especially family, but that is not the case!
Comment by all about your dog — December 4, 2008 @ 10:04 am