Nor do they care
- Increased amounts of food to eat or steal
- A lot more noise, people coming and going
- Music being played
- Animated talking, arm waving
- Crackers being pulled, maybe even fireworks
- Dancing
All easily misinterpreted by your average family dog.
What was once their spot will be taken by someone needing a chair, a place to sit after a large dinner.
No doubt dogs that are ‘normally ok’ will be disrupted and moved from sofa to chair to floor continuously by well meaning adults. Constant moving on around the house and the increased noise from chatter, music and tv can make a dog irritable, when all it wants to do is lie somewhere quiet and sleep.
Even if they weren’t previously guarders dogs will see this as their resources being taken so may attempt to guard them.
If you can crate them, do. Put a blanket over the top to drown out some of the noise.
If not make a den, under a table, in another room that’s away from all the fuss and festivities.
You can involve children in this as this will lead to explaining about the dogs need for peace and feeling safe.
Keeping the dog away will also stop unnecessary begging, accidental brush of teeth, when excitedly taking a titbit, especially if there is more than one dog around and lastly the dog getting food that won’t be good for it. No one wants a Christmas Day trip to A&E or the Vets.
Remember if the dog bites, it’s YOUR FAULT. Because you put your dog in that position.
If you can’t do any of the above. Keep an eye on your dogs body language. Watch out for tucked tails, whites of the eye showing, lip licking and avoidance. If your dog wants to move away let it. Best of all it will lessen the chance of growls and snaps and even bites.
And for dogs sake, advocate for your dog. You are your dogs best chance of being safe and happy this Christmas.
MADUK Rescue