You have a dog, and you love it. It's a gentle animal, and you're not concerned that it could become vicious. But you should be, especially during the holidays with their unusual tumult and people around who your pet isn't all that familiar with.
If your dog bites someone, the consequences can be severe - especially for your pet, but for you as well. You can be held responsible for emotional as well as physical damage.
The latest issue of Highland Park's monthly newsletter, the Highlander, offers hints for keeping your pet calm and out of danger during stressful holiday visits. We'd like to pass them along.
1) Place your dog in its crate with a bone or chew toy, at least during hectic times such as when holiday guests are arriving or leaving and during dinner preparation and serving.
2) Have an adult watch the dog for signs of stress and to protect it from unwanted attention from children. (The newsletter lists as signs of stress the dog yawning or licking its chops; showing the white part of its eye in a half moon shape; turning its head away, walking away or trying to hide under furniture; growling or raising the fur along its back; becoming still with its mouth closed, staring at a bothersome person and growling.)
3) Intervene if a dog shows any signs of stress when a child approaches or is petting it. The signs suggest the dog wants to be left alone, in which case return it to a crate in a separate room, away from guests.
4) Do not allow visiting children to hug dogs. Most dogs do not like hugs and kisses. Even if they tolerate them under normal circumstances, they may not tolerate them from strangers or in a high-stress situation with additional noise and people.
Michael Kosner, President
The Kosner Firm Chtd.
