Making sure that our four legged friends get as much out of the festive season as we do is natural for many of us. For animal lovers everywhere – a pet is a huge part of the family and they are often a big part of the festivities of the day. 

That’s why today we want to share with you some of the cute and fun gifts you can buy for your pet this Christmas to make them feel some festive cheer of their own. 

A festive feast 

One simple way to help your pet celebrate Christmas along with the rest of the family is a Christmas dinner of their own. Of course, a dog or cat cannot eat the same meal as us – however dogs can eat meat with gravy and vegetables, and cats would be more than happy with a little bit of turkey. You can even buy festive themed cat food and dog food to feed to your pet on the day while you eat your Christmas dinner.

Homemade treats 

Pets eat differently to us, and there are some brilliant ideas for treats to make them this Christmas. You can get your hands on some healthy supplements such as cod liver oil, Pet-Ness CBD oil, or vitamins and add these to simple biscuit recipes for your dog or cat to keep them healthy as well as treating them. There are some amazing biscuit and cake recipes for your furry children to try this year, and these will last for a fair few days so you can make them in advance for a special treat. 

A pet subscription box 

If you aren’t sure what to choose within the myriad of options around for pet treats – there are some great pet subscription boxes out there. Choosing to offer one of these to your pet this Christmas will give them a range of food, treats, and festive toys to play with on Christmas Day. It will be like opening a festive gift hamper! 

Wrapping paper 

Let’s face it: pets can be easily amused. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on gifts for your pet this Christmas, a ball of wrapping paper will probably be enough to keep them occupied while you open your gifts! 

A comfy bed 

Christmas is all about being cosy, and what better way to be cosy this year than to buy a comfy new bed for your pet? Make sure you purchase the bed a little ahead of time so that you can wash it before they use it. A comfy bed or even a new blanket will be well received and your pet will be grateful when they can have a lovely festive snooze. 

Some new toys 

Animals of all types love to play, and if you head to a pet shop at this time of the year you will likely see some brilliant gifts out there on show. Buy a couple of festive Santa or reindeer toys or maybe even a new puzzle for your pet that will give them treats. Have fun choosing presents for your pets and see what you can find!

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The death of a loved one is an extremely complex and stressful situation to process, even for the most well-adjusted of adults. So for a child to have to navigate the same situation is understandably hard too. Death is a natural part of the human experience, but it’s not a topic that is widely discussed within society. As a result, the grieving process can be unfairly shrouded in mystery and a lot of adults are not sure how to discuss it and come to terms with it themselves, let alone translating it in a way that a child can understand. And yet teaching a little one how to deal with negative emotions in a complex way is a hugely important life skill. There will be times in their life when they have to deal with a loss, and having the tools to be able to support themselves emotionally can make a huge difference to their adult lives. But how do you begin to help a child process the loss of a loved one, in the midst of dealing with your own pain?

Explain Death Clearly

Finding the right language to describe death to a child is a huge barrier for a lot of us. When there don’t seem to be words to talk about your own loss, how can you translate it into age-appropriate terms? The key is to find a balance where you aren’t too unvarnished but equally try not to sentimentalize the fact of death too much. Simple, clear language is always the better choice. Make sure to be caring and sensitive to your child’s emotions, but stick closely to the facts. Equally, it’s not necessary to give too much detail, but if your child has questions then you should try to answer them truthfully. Don’t create unrealistic expectations that might give your child the wrong idea. Many people make the mistake of over-explaining, but the best tactic is to explain the situation and then take a breath – let your child absorb the news on their own terms. You don’t have to fill every silence – sometimes it’s enough to sit quietly together.

Concentrate On Listening

When helping a child to process grief, your listening skills are actually more important than you might think. Children need a safe space to explore their emotional response to what has happened. Remember that, just as with adults, there is no ‘right’ response to bereavement or way to grieve. Every child is bound to react differently to the death of someone they loved. Some children might cry, some may not. Some will seem outwardly accepting, others will have a lot of questions. It all depends on their own personality and the circumstances – for example, if someone has passed away after a long illness, it may be quite a different response to an unexpected death. Offer physical contact and reassurance and take your cues from your child’s own behaviour. 

Create A Memory Together

It can be incredibly important for both of your healing to find ways to remember the person you have lost. There are lots of ways to do this, so discuss with your child what feels like a good way to remember your loved one. It could be something like creating a memory box, where you can place items like photographs, letters and cards, memorabilia such at tickets from events you went to together – these things can all help to create a feeling of connection. There are plenty of other ways if that doesn’t appeal to your child – many choose to plant a tree or a shrub, or dedicating a bench or sculpture somewhere scenic that they have enjoyed visiting together, and this creates a special place you can go for some quiet time and to remember the person you loved. Others choose necklaces for cremation ashes, keeping the person close through a piece of memorial jewelry that they can wear at all times. Or you could choose to have a memory bear made, or perhaps a patchwork quilt or cushion, from some favourite items of clothing left behind. There’s no right or wrong, it’s all about choosing what feels right for you and your child, but often having a special ritual or object can provide comfort when they are feeling sad.

Supporting a child through grief can seem like an impossibly hard process, but the fundamentals are fairly simple – the need for love and reassurance doesn’t change. Provide that and you won’t be going too far wrong.

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Welcoming your new puppy home is an exciting time, both for them and for you. However, it’s important to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. Remember – this is your puppy’s first introduction to a whole new world, so he may feel a little overwhelmed or scared at times.

If you want to ensure your puppy feels at home from the get-go, take a look at these top tips for welcoming your new puppy into your family…

1. Puppy proofing

If there is one thing every puppy owner needs to do before their new puppy arrives, it’s puppy-proof their home! In the same way you would prepare your house for a boisterous, inquisitive toddler, you need to ensure it’s safe for your furry friend.

Puppies are naturally nosey, so be prepared for your puppy to get into anything and everything. It’s essential that you store anything dangerous well out of reach, ideally up high and in a locked cupboard. 

Many puppy owners use baby gates to keep their puppy in a safe environment. Installing an exercise pen or baby gate is a temporary way to restrict your puppy’s access to the rest of your home and can be a great way of preventing mishaps.

Don’t forget – there are many human foods that are poisonous to dogs, so you’ll need to ensure you don’t leave snacks where they are accessible to your puppy. This applies to trash cans too – you wouldn’t eat out of the trash, but your puppy isn’t so fussy! Make sure trash cans are fully sealed and can’t be knocked over, or you’ll find your puppy is most at home making a mess. 

2. Register your puppy

As you might expect, welcoming a new puppy home involves a little paperwork. When you buy a purebred puppy, you will be eligible to register it with the American Kennel Club. Although you can do this yourself, reputable breeders, like Lucky Labs, will guide you through the process. However, the American Kennel Club isn’t just open to purebred dogs. If your puppy is a mixed breed, you can register them for the American Kennel Club Canine Partners Program. 

In addition to registering your puppy, you’ll want to ensure you have a network of support in place. Before your puppy arrives, find a veterinarian you wish to use. Ideally, seek personal recommendations from family and friends but, if not, check out online reviews too. 

It’s also a good idea to have contact information for reputable dog walkers, dog sitters, doggy daycares, dog trainers and puppy training classes. By building your puppy’s network before they arrive, you can ensure you’ve got access to any help you might need in the first few weeks of your puppy’s new life. 

3. Prepare your family

When your new puppy arrives home, you’ll find that extended family, friends, and neighbors are excited to meet them. In fact, you’ll be surprised at just how many people can’t wait to make a fuss of your furry friend. However, meeting a large number of people at once can be overwhelming for a puppy, particularly within the first few days of arriving at a new home. 

While you might be tempted to throw a welcome party, hold off until your puppy is more familiar with their environment. Getting to know their new home and immediate family members is enough to keep them busy for a few days or weeks, so let them acclimatize first. 

Of course, you’ll need to ensure that you and your immediate family members are ready to welcome your puppy home too. If you have children, for example, you’ll want to ensure they understand how to interact with the puppy safely and what they can do to keep him safe. 

In addition to this, it can be helpful to agree on a training program as a family in advance of your puppy arriving home. Once he arrives, some of you may be tempted to break the rules so having an agreed regime in place can make things easier and clearer for your puppy and your human family. 

4. Hit the shops

Your puppy is going to need a few things to help them feel settled in, so you get to do a bit of retail therapy. Puppies need food that gives them the essential nutrients they need to grow, so you’ll want to ensure you’ve got tasty puppy food at the ready. If you want to continue with the same food your breeder uses, ask them for the brand in advance so you can stock up. 

A collar and a leash are, of course, essential, and you will want to ensure your dog’s collar has your contact details on it too. Although you won’t be able to let your puppy off lead for quite some time, it’s always good to be prepared. 

Many people choose to crate train their puppy, simply because it is an effective and safe way for them to adapt to family life. However, it’s important to ensure that you choose an appropriately sized crate. While crates that are too small could be harmful to your dog, a crate that’s too big can lead to training issues too. 

As well as selecting a food bowl, water bowl and other essentials, you’ll get the exciting task of choosing your puppy’s first toys too. Puppy love to chew, so having some safe, puppy-friendly chew toys allows them to exercise their tendencies. What’s more, having chew toys to hand means you can redirect your puppy when they try to chew other things, such as your furniture or your hands!

Enjoying your new puppy

Welcoming a new puppy home is one of the most exciting times for any family. With the right amount of preparation, you can ensure the transition is easy and stress-free. While it might take a little time for your new furry friend to adjust to his new home, these steps will help you to create a fun, friendly and safe environment for them to enjoy.

Owning a pet is a big responsibility these days, but it can also be one of the most important things in life. More and more households these days are introducing pets into the family home, and this is really improving things for them. As such, it is important for you to make sure you are doing what is right for your animal, and this generally involves spending time with your furry friend.

Pet owners need to make sure they take time out of the stresses of daily life to make time for their pets. However, this is something that can be more difficult to achieve than you might think, and this is certainly something to consider. These are some of the best ideas to make use of when you come to make more quality time for your pet.

Get Out of the House

One of the best places to start with this is getting out of the home. An animal like a dog doesn’t do well being cooped up all day, so you need to get out and take them for a walk. This is a great way of keeping active, and it keeps you healthy and active at the same time. Having a happy and healthy pet is something that makes a big difference to their life and yours. And these are some of the best ways you can achieve this right now.

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Bring Your Pet on Vacation

Of course, it depends on where you choose to go, but it could well be the case that you will be able to take your pet on vacation with you. This would be ideal if you are going somewhere that allows you to be outdoors a lot. You might need to check about things like pet-friendly hotels, and what the deal is if you are looking to fly. There is accepted etiquette for vacationing with pets, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with this so that you can get the best possible outcome.

Regular Check-Ups

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to take care of the health of your pet, specifically, when it comes to their physical well-being. And this means taking them for regular check-ups at the veterinarian and ensuring you keep on top of any health problems. Pets can live long and healthy lives provided they are well looked after and taken care of, and this is something you should be doing on a regular basis as a pet owner. The more regularly you visit the vet, the easier it is to keep on top of problems and identify health issues when they arise.  

As you can see, there are a lot of things that you can do that are going to help you improve the time you have together with your animal. Taking the steps to do this effectively is so important, and you have to be sure you are doing what is right for them. This sometimes means getting a little more creative with stuff, and you need to make sure you put your animal first as much as you can.

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Of all the joys of family life, choosing to welcome a dog into your home has to be one of the greatest. There are so many benefits to pet ownership for young children – from teaching them responsibility and compassion to getting them outdoors on walks and even helping them to deal with stress and anxiety. A dog can be a really integral part of family life and add so much to your home and leisure time. There is a lot to look forward to when preparing to welcome your new furry friend, but it’s also important to be well prepared. You want to be able to welcome your new family addition with a smooth transition and minimal stress on both sides, and that takes a little preparation.

Get Your Kit Sorted

Whether you’ve chosen to give a home to a rescue dog or opted to raise a puppy. Once, you know the date that your new companion is coming home, you can start preparing the kit you will need to take care of them. Get the basics sorted – food and water dishes, a cosy dog bed for them to curl up into, a collar, identification tags and a leash so you’re ready to take them for walks, and a stock of high quality dog food suited to their age and condition to give them optimal nutritional support. You may also need a dog crate to give them a sense of comfort and help with training. Other essentials include some toys – especially ones they can chew, as puppies are notorious for chewing up the house. It’s also a good idea to stock up on piles of old towels and rags. This can help in cleaning up accidents, or cleaning your dog after outside play so those muddy paws don’t go all over your house.

Speak To Your Family

Before your new friend comes home, sit down with your family and go over expectations and ground rules. It’s a good idea that everyone is on the same page when it comes to this new member of your family, and there are some basics of dog training that you will need to establish. Understand everything from how often your pet will need to walk from who will take them. Make clear which areas of the house you will not allow the dog, like bedrooms and furniture. Speak to kids about not feeding dogs from the table. Decide which commands you will use to ensure the dog is confident in their training. Go over your new pets routine for feeding, walks and playtime. Set up night time toilet trips that can disturb your sleep.

Find Your Veterinarian

Start looking up recommendations from other local pet owners that you trust for a quality veterinary service in your area. You’ll need to book your new arrival on for some essential shots pretty quickly as well as routine health check-ups and having a point of contact in case of emergency. The right vet can quite literally be a lifesaver in some cases, and is a great resource for advice on dog care and behaviour.

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It can often be the case that finding an excuse to get in some worthwhile exercise can not only help you feel better, but refresh you during the day. Many of us lead lives in which we’re inside, either for our careers or when taking care of the house. Over time we can feel a little stuffy, unkempt and tired even if we’ve been taking great care of ourselves. This is where you might enjoy using any excuse to get out of the house and to try and wake up using some beautiful fresh air.

For that, it might be that walking your dog more often could be a wonderful effort. Not only can it help you enjoy your local scenery, but both you and your pet become healthier, and you get to spend more time with them. They can’t vocalize it, but they appreciate it, much as they appreciate you calling DoodyCalls Corp to clean up their business during the week. The benefits of walking your dog each day are too many to count, but we’re going to try and do that, and hopefully achieve that in the following words:

It Socializes Them

Go for a walk in the park at any time of day, and if you live in a somewhat residential area, you will likely notice many doing the same thing. This way, your dog can become socialized in the presence of other dogs, or at least not freak out when they spot another one. For some dogs that are continually kept sheltered within the home, merely the sight of another dog can send them a little around the bend, as they bark and do everything they can to try and avoid the other, or perhaps try to dominate the space. While definitely not a scientific approach, you can usually consider how your dog might approach others in the park when they see one on television. If they’re calm but interested, that’s healthy. If they go nuts, further training might be needed.

It’s also important to consider the size of your dog when walking around the park. A large dog might be harder to keep on the leash, as they dive towards their next point of interest it might end up injuring you. So consider the level of training, and the level of control you can have over them. However, for the most part, simply being introduced to other dogs and in the presence of them (especially from a young age,) can help them feel less threatened and more secure in their presence. To that end, walking your dog is excellent. Just be sure to keep an eye on other dogs, because while you might be able to control your pets behavior, there’s no telling if another person will follow the same approach.

It Exercises Them

It’s incredibly easy for all household pets to get larger than normal from a routine lack of activity. In fact, this can be very harmful to their health, and cost plenty in veterinarian health expenses. To that end, walking your dog, a free activity and one of the pleasures in life, can help you save money. In other words, it’s certainly a win-win situation, with the only cost to you your time. But at the same time, as you walk you’ll be burning off the calories and increasing your heart rate, so who knows, perhaps the dog is, in part, walking you to health as well.

Bonding

It’s important to bond with a pet, especially a new one. While you’re not going to be walking your cat around the park anytime soon, dogs are often in close connection with their owner, and despite running of curiously, desire to stay at their loving home. But it’s also important to teach them discipline and to show them who’s in charge, through various training attendances of course, but chiefly through spending time with them.

Heading for a walk, putting the leash on, walking with them, allowing them to sniff the environment, praising them, playing fetch and giving them small treats when they behave how you would like them to? That’s how bonding develops. To that end your dog will become more and more familiar with you, and this allows them to listen to you once you give an order. Be firm but fair, and most of all consistent with your directions, such as sharply calling them back from harassing a pedestrian when they’re off-lead.

With these tips, you’re sure to make a loving habit of walking your dog each day.

Having a pet in the home, especially a pet like a cat or a dog that are more hands-on, can be like having another member of the family.

And as such, they are not unlike children either. Our pets need our care and attention in order to help them to be happy and healthy.

They do rely on you for everything, much like a child, so here are some of the ways that you can help to make them healthier and happier.

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Grooming

Grooming your pet is a really important part of helping your pet to be happy. It helps them to feel better and get rid of any itches or hairballs.

Which is why having a brush for your pet is really important; it can also be a great bonding time for the two of you as well.

Dogs and cats have nails just like us, and these grow and grow. If you don’t stay on top of keeping these trimmed, then it can be really bothersome to them as it can impact how they walk and how comfortable they are.

They can scratch themselves as well and cause damage if their nails are kept too long.

Another aspect of grooming that we often forget about is our pet’s ears. We all know how important something like your dog’s hearing is to them, but how many pet owners think to check inside the ears?

This can be a place where a lot of different troubles could be brewing up and breeding. The things to look out for in the ears of your cats and dogs, are things like wax, dirt, and any moisture; these can all cause problems when left.

Teeth and gums are important too, as just like us, ant problems can be really bothersome. Chew toys or sticks are a good idea, and you can even get toothbrushes or your pet (but check with your vet first).

Activity

Keeping your pet active is really important for a variety of reasons. It can be good to help them to be active, as well as to maintain their weight, and help them to be happier.

It allows you to spend time together as well. For a pet like a dog, the main activity for them will be walks and running and chasing.

But for cats, you might need to get more things for in the home, like balls, things that make noise, or even something like a unique fish cat toy.

Anything bright and colorful is going to be a good idea and keep their attention. Again, these are all great things to be doing together and helps you bond.

Bathing

Cats do normally keep their own fur clean by doing their own washing. However, there are some parts that the cat won’t be able to reach, like under the chin and round the neck.

If you want to bathe your cat, it is best to get them used to water and bathing at a young age; the same thing goes for a dog.

Making memories with a four legged friend. Image via Pexels.

The saying that a dog is man’s best friend feels true to a lot of us dog lovers. But it might be even more accurate to say that a dog is an even better friend to a child, as they have so much to teach them. A beloved four legged friend can have a massive impact on a young life, and there is a reason that so many of us remember our childhood canine companions so fondly.

If you’re still struggling to decide, these ideas could help to tip the balance:

Your Children Will Get Sick Less

A powerful study from researchers in Finland recently showed a link in decreased rates of respiratory illnesses in babies who had lived with dogs during the first year of their lives. Dogs introduce a small amount of germs into the babies’ environment that helps to build up their resistance to airborne microbes. This has a halo effect on infant immune systems which can help them to grow up stronger.

A Dog Can Help With Reading Ability

It sounds strange admittedly, but a family dog can help with confidence issues in young readers. Children often feel self-conscious when learning to read and having to read aloud in classroom situations. Reading to the dog is a way to practise having an audience without feeling judged and can encourage them to take their time. It’s a confidence boost that can really help.

They Get More Exercise

How to get our kids moving outside and off their tablets and games consoles is a dilemma that many modern parents face, and having a family dog who needs walking can really help with that. Not only does it force you to get outdoors, which is hugely beneficial for mental wellbeing, but it can also get children involved with games involving balls and rope. It won’t seem like a chore if they’re playing with the dog.

It Teaches Responsibility

The basics of pet care are a great learning opportunity for children about taking responsibility for the welfare of a dog and cleaning up after it. It also shows them that actions have consequences – if they don’t control their dog and allow him to run in the mud, they have to clean up the dirty paw print and get out the dog shampoo! Getting children to help with that shiba inu shedding or puppy training accidents will teach them so much.

It Bonds The Family Together

Having a pet is great for bringing siblings and parents together. Sharing the joy and love but also the caring responsibilities of dog ownership is a special process. And all those walks mean time to spend together talking and bonding away from screens and other distractions.

A dog can do an awful lot to bring people closer and help create some amazing memories. Having a companion who has been with the family since the children were babies is an incredible positive influence in the lives of everyone involved.

There can be many reasons to get a pet for the family home. It can be as a companion for you or one of your children, including seeing more and more service dogs that help members of the family. It could be simply because you love animals and want one around the home, or because you want to teach your children some responsibility and help them to be accountable and patient. Regardless of the reason, you still need to make sure that you’re getting a pet that will be a good fit for the family.

Not all dogs are created equal, and there are many different varieties and breeds. As you might imagine, they all come with unique and distinct personalities and traits. And naturally, some will be better suited to be around families, particularly little children, than others. Most dogs will have a sense of loyalty to you as you have them in the home and raise them. But some will cope better with the strains and busyness of family life.

So what are the best breeds for families? For starters, you have to think about three things when it comes to choosing a dog for your family, as it will depend on what your family is like and who it consists of.

dog, animal, puppy, pet, animals

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Temperament

This is all about the personality of the dog. And for a dog that is going to be around children, a playful but calm personality is good, as well as one that is agreeable. A dog that is quite snappy or impulsive can be a negative thing around children. When a dog is calmer it will be easier for it to make good relationships with your children, as it will be more aware and take time to get to know them.

Size

The size of the dog that you choose for a family pet can be all relative. You might want a particular size, for example, one that doesn’t grow too much as you only live in an apartment, for example. Size can also be a slight indicator of how they will behave too. While a smaller dog will eat less and take up less space, it could be giddy and excitable than others. Larger dogs could be more docile, though they will take up more space, need more exercise, and eat more. So you have to think about what is best for you and your situation.

Energy Level

The energy level of your dog, as has been mentioned slightly, can be a personal preference. You might want a dog that can go running with you each morning and keep up with your active lifestyle. If you have small children than a dog that doesn’t need to be walked too far could fit better as toddler legs never want to walk too far. Again, think about your situation and circumstances and what will fit in best.

With all of that in mind, here are some of the top breeds for families with children. Are there any that you had looked into before?

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Pug

Pugs do love kids. Though they are small, Pugs are not delicate like some small dog breeds, so it is a good choice for families with children. However, if you have children who want an active pet to retrieve balls or play soccer with, they could be a little bit disappointed with a Pug. There is more information on owning pugs from Puppy Joy and other similar sites. All in all, they are a small breed that stays small, and they are fairly docile and chilled, especially for a smaller breed dog.

Bulldog

If you want a loyal, devoted, and patient pup, then a Bulldog is the one for your family. The Bull Dog has a sturdy build so it is good for families with children that want a bit of rough and tumble with their dog. That being said, they are a pretty docile dog, and they will get on well with other pets if you already have some in the home. They will be comfortable living in large houses as well as small apartments as they they’ll use space if it is there but they don’t need it. They can be sociable and friendly, so are a good option for a busy and social household (think teenagers, for example).

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Beagle

Beagles have a small size and a pretty calm temperament, making them a good choice for families. They will work well for your family if your kids love the outdoors, as they really do love to explore outside and follow trails. This could be due to the fact that they were originally kept as hunting dogs. They have a lot of energy and like to play games, so again, good for active families. All in all they are smart, happy, and friendly breed that gets along well with other pets and animals.

Collie

There are a few different breeds within the ‘Collie’ breed, such Border Collie and Bearded Collie. Though you may know the classic ‘Lassie’ dog is a border collie and does make a great family per. They are a gentle and predictable breed, in that they rarely misbehave and you’ll find that they are simple to train and obey commands well. If you’ve never had a dog before, then that can make it a good option for you. They are pretty protective too, which makes them a great addition for families with children, as well as companions for older people.

There are some other great breeds for families too, such as Poodles and Golden Labradors. Even Bull Terriers can be good for families, as they have been unfairly branded with an aggressive label. The pet you choose will just depend on those three things mentioned above, as to what breed is going to work best for you and your family. It would be great to hear what you think to these suggestions, and if you have any experience with one of the above breeds as a family pet.

If only it was simple and telling a pooch to be safe. Trained though your pet may be, he or she is an animal and can’t be controlled. Anyone who welcomes a dog into their home should know this off the bat. They should also be aware of the dangers that properties present. Owners are worried about the outside world, the likes of water hazards, cars and other mutts, but it’s essential to sort out your room first. Let’s face facts – a home should be a castle, for the dog as well as the homeowner.

Here are four ways to ensure this is the case.

Lock The Drawers

Canines are a curious bunch and they will follow their noses. Seen as household cleaners give off a pungent smell, there’s a good chance the dog will be attracted to the bleach and other detergents. Like small kids, it’s imperative to keep them out of the reach of pets as they can be fatal. Locking the drawers is the only option if there isn’t enough space to move them to a higher storage unit. Latches, similar to the ones on baby gates, prevent dogs from poking their nose in and doing their insides harm. A key and lock also work a treat, too.

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Prune The Plants

It’s an easy mistake to make because you’re human and not a canine. However, as the owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure everything in the house is dog-friendly. As far as plants go, some variations are poisonous. In fact, there are lots but the two main strands are holly and Easter lily. The Spruce has a comprehensive list if you need more info. If you do use these flowers during the holiday seasons, then make sure they are easily out of reach. Also, ensure they are attached securely so that they don’t fall. A simple solution is to remove them completely.

Put Up A Fence

Outside is where dogs get to be themselves. Inside is a little tricky because they are energetic and there are plenty of valuables on display. The garden is a wide open space for them to play without worry. Well, it isn’t as there are tons of hazards in this space also. Clearing clutter is a good start as it reduces the chances of slips, trips and falls. But, don’t forget to secure the garden from external threats. DogsByNina has an interesting piece on electrified dog fences that is worth a read. As well as keeping the pooch penned in, it stops other mutts from attacking.

A post shared by Sam (@irishdoodle_sam) on Apr 21, 2018 at 10:23pm PDT

Keep A Tight Leash

Don’t take this literally. There’s no need to choke your dog. Instead, it means to keep them close so that they don’t do anything stupid. Pooches aren’t as intelligent as humans and will run out into the middle of the road. Chasing cars is fun but it’s a dangerous pastime. By keeping them on a leash when they leave the house – front, not back – it gives you control during the occasions their instincts kick in.

Has this post made you think about doggy security and your home a little differently?