Winter Holiday and Travel Tips for Dog Owners

The holidays are here again, and along with all the preparations, the question arises: what do you do with the family dog? For many of us, the house hound is a beloved part of the family and we can't imagine excluding or leaving him or her behind. Here are a few helpful tips to help you and your best friend have a happy holiday season.

Should Fido come along to a holiday gathering?

If you plan to celebrate at a house that is not your own, the first consideration is simply to ask your host if it's OK to bring your dog. Some people forget this first rule of pet etiquette, which can lead to problems if the host or guests are inexperienced, afraid, allergic, or simply do not care for dogs.

It's also necessary to know whether the host has their own dogs or cats. The house pet may be territorial. Even dogs that have met before get territorial over a variety of things, including food and water bowls, beds, hallways, yards, toys, and bones. Some dogs get very protective over family members as well. A territorial or protective dog may act out aggressively — not only against the other dog, but against humans too.

What if I'm hosting?

If you are hosting guests at your house, either pick up all the dog toys, bones, dog beds, and food bowls before the guests arrive, or leave out many dog toys and several water and food bowls so each dog feels he has his share of the goodies.

If needed, there should be a separate, secure place to put each dog: a puppy-proofed yard, dog run, kennel or crate, baby-gated area, or private bedroom. Additional management options include a leash, a non-slip soft collar, or a head halter. Your dog should be able to be left alone without any separation problems — if not, start working on it now.

What training fundamentals should be top priority?

I recommend that dogs understand and listen to the following five things. They are the foundation of what I teach all dogs in my care:

Come: come quickly when called, even if distracted.
Walk / heel: walk on a leash without pulling, even if distracted.
Stay: sit or lie down and be still until released, even if distracted.
No: stop whatever he or she is doing right then (a stern look and body language do as much as words).
Dog's name: "look at me when I say your name," even if distracted.

Knowing this sets the stage for you to manage any behavioral problems that come up during the holidays — and these commands can also save your dog's life in the world at large. One more thing: if your dog will be a guest in someone else's house, potty training is a must. If that skill hasn't been mastered, get a pet sitter to stay in your home or find a boarding facility.

How can I reduce the chances of potty accidents during a visit?

If you are the guest and you think there's a chance your dog will urinate on the floor or jump on people and furniture, keep him on a leash. Dogs are more apt to pee in a new home, with new smells, and when they are excited. If you have a submissive dog or one that urinates when excited, keep greetings mellow. It also helps to give him something to keep busy with when the doorbell rings — a stuffed Kong or a handful of dry kibble should do the trick.

What if our dog stays with a friend?

Consider whether your dog and your friend are familiar with each other and get along — this makes doggy-sitting easier on both of them. Supply your friend with food, supplies, and any necessary medications, and leave your vet's phone number in case of an emergency.

Also consider your friend's house and environment. Is it a safe place and pet friendly? If not, pick a different friend or consider a kennel. And if a friend does agree to look after your dog, have a conversation about your dog's specific daily care and routine. Set responsibilities and expectations from the get-go to protect your dog — and your friendship!

What should we look for in a boarding kennel?

No two dogs are the same, and this applies to kennels as well. The most important factor is the staff's qualifications. Kennels vary dramatically in social activity, safety, and quality of care. Ask people you know and trust for referrals, and ask the facility:

Is there an outdoor play area? Are the dogs allowed to play?
If so, for how long, and how are they monitored? What is the dog-to-human supervisor ratio?
Are dogs separated by size and temperament during playtime?
How and when are the dogs fed? Can you bring your own supply of food?
If necessary, do they administer medications — and how do they track them?
Can you drop off and pick up any time, or only during certain hours?

Ask for a tour to ensure the facility is clean and the dogs are housed in safe enclosures. If you are denied the opportunity to see where the dogs are actually kenneled, go someplace else. Ask questions of current clients picking up and dropping off — dog people love to talk about their dogs! Set up a trial day or night before you leave town, and look closely at the pricing: "all-inclusive" or "à la carte"? What looks like a bargain often isn't once you add days and services. And remember, holidays book up quick.

How do I keep my dog's behavior in check at holiday dinner?

First, don't let the dogs hang out under the table. It's best if your dog understands sit, down, and stay; then he can settle at the far end of the room, away from the table, and earn a safe treat at the end of the meal for holding his spot.

For dogs that bark, a stuffed Kong or marrow bone filled with something sticky like peanut butter or cream cheese keeps them busy while you eat. If those techniques don't work, keep your dog in a crate or another room. If they can't handle that, they may be better off staying home until their social skills are trained up.

How do I introduce my dog to the resident dogs where we're staying?

When it's possible to familiarize your dog with another, have them meet away from home on neutral turf. Once they are familiar, have them walk into the home together — it's usually best to let the guest dog in first and the resident dog in second. Keep a slack leash on until you feel comfortable.

It also helps to rub a rag on each dog's genital area and let each dog smell the other's scent before they get close. Afterward, keep the dogs on loose leashes or behind a baby gate until you're comfortable putting them together.

What do we need to know about flying with a dog?

If traveling by air, you will need a health certificate from your vet. If your dog is very stressed, ask your vet about medications to relax him. For milder stress, try a natural remedy like Rescue Remedy or a light massage with a relaxing lavender scent on the neck and collar.

Small dogs can travel in the cabin with you, but medium and large dogs go below in cargo. If you plan to bring a larger dog, book a direct flight without transfers, and confirm with the airline that the cargo area is climate controlled. Avoid flying your dog in extreme weather. If traveling internationally, check the quarantine rules for pet travel. Last but not least, always make sure your dog has gone potty before you travel.

What about traveling by car?

The safest way for your dog to ride is in a secured kennel or crate that won't tip over. Next best is a doggie seatbelt, or the passenger-seat floorboard with a leash on. If your dog is not used to traveling or is prone to carsickness, it helps to keep him from seeing out the side window, and don't feed him right before the drive.

Most of the time, your dog is sick because of travel stress, not carsickness. Two drops of Rescue Remedy in the water before traveling can help. Placing a few squirts of lavender mist on the collar while massaging your dog — and pairing that scent with massage for several weeks before the trip — conditions your dog to the scent as a relaxant. In severe cases, ask your vet about carsickness medications. Put down some blankets, bring towels and bags just in case, and try a little classical music.

For a more relaxed pack-up, keep your dog outside or in another room while you pack, and leave your suitcases out a few days before departure so your dog doesn't associate the bags with you leaving.

What are the most important items to pack for my dog?

The essentials: medications, bowls, food, water, towels, blankets, treats, a favorite toy, a soft non-slip collar or head halter, and a regular 6-foot leash. Have your dog tagged and microchipped as a precaution. Bring a crate if possible, and poop bags for sure. It's also a good idea to bring a doggie first aid kit containing: Ace bandage or Vetwrap, medical tape, nonstick pads, cotton padding, Betadine or other disinfecting solution, Benadryl, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, and hydrogen peroxide. Don't forget your veterinarian's and emergency center's phone number and address!

What holiday hazards should we watch for?

In celebration we add a lot of new things to the household that are festive for us but a party-pooper for our pups. Steer your dog clear of these hazards:

Holiday Plants and Decor

Holly: if ingested, induces vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous system depression.
Fruit and nut trees: apple, peach, almond, cherry, and apricot stems and leaves carry traces of cyanide.
Mistletoe: munching on this holiday mainstay induces cardiac problems in dogs.
Poinsettia: can be irritating to the mouth, stomach, and possibly the heart.
Decorations: the shine and shapes naturally attract your dog, but keep him away from ornaments, tinsel, artificial snow, and candles — and watch that he doesn't mark his territory on the tree!

Festive Foods

Chocolate: can cause heart and central nervous system problems. Unsweetened baker's chocolate contains ten times the caffeine and theobromine of milk chocolate — just 1.6 ounces eaten by a 10-pound dog could kill him.
Meat bones: chicken, turkey, and pork bones can pierce a dog's esophagus.
Greasy table scraps: even a single ingestion of onions, moldy walnuts, certain mushrooms, grapes, or raisins can be life-threatening.
Alcohol and medications: one ounce of 20-proof alcohol can put a small dog in a coma. Don't leave bottles — of drinks or of aspirin and ibuprofen — scattered within your dog's reach.

Last but not least, don't forget to have fun! Dogs are very sensitive to your emotions, and during the holidays many of us are stressed — and our dogs pick up on that. The calmer and happier you are, the calmer and happier your dog will be. Be sure to have fun, and your dog will too!