Can your pup join the party?
Getting together with family can be wonderful, or terrible, or awkward, or all three! With Thanksgiving in just one week, I thought it would be worth discussing some techniques for having your dog at family events. After all, whatever your family is like at gatherings, we can agree that get togethers are busy events. For the sake of our beloved pooches, here’s some things to think about when having your dogs at family get togethers.
Attending a get together
Is your dog welcome?
It’s always important to make sure that your dog is welcome by the hosts and attendees before bringing them to a big gathering. You don’t want anyone feeling uncomfortable, especially if the gathering is in relatively close quarters. Events can go quite a long time, so the more welcome your dog feels, the better!
Are you willing to keep watch and attend to them?
You never know how well your dog will react to unfamiliar surroundings. If there are kids at this event, you want to keep a close eye on both the kids and your dog to make sure everyone plays safely. This goes even when your dog is perfectly used to kids.
Be prepared to take your pup out for a walk during the event, so that they can have a break and go to the bathroom. You want to do this even if they have a yard at their disposal, because they may be uncomfortable relieving themselves in a new environment.
You also want to keep an eye our for any food scraps on the floor. If the appetizers have ingredients that might upset your dogs tummy, ask guests to be extra cautious with their food.
Are any aspects of the event going to be stressful for your dog?
Now don’t get me wrong, socialization and exposure is good for dogs. That being said, if your dog has a very hard time dealing with loud noises and there will be live music at your event, you may choose to leave your dog at home this time. If you want to give it a try any way, please be prepared to leave the event if your dog shows signs of discomfort.
Hosting a get together
So it’s your turn this year to host the family! With all of the things you need to do to prepare, here’s how you can prepare your dog.
Have you set the environment for your dog?
Just as you would ensure a good environment at someone else’s place, do the same for your dog at home. All of the things I mentioned to look out for at events you attend, also apply at events you host.
One thing you can do is create a space for your dog that is free of the commotion. This might be a good idea for times when there’s too much going on for them to process. It also comes in handy if you feel that your pup needs a time out.
Maybe your dog one who needs to say hi to everyone at the door! Try to have someone with your dog to make sure greetings are polite and calm. You can also set up a gate to block off the front door, so guests can get settled before slobbery greetings.
If another dog is coming over, be sure to give the dogs an opportunity to say hello in a neutral place. This could be the sidewalk outside of your house, or the front lawn. A proper greeting will help your dog get used to another pup in his or her home.
Are you available to attend to your dog’s needs?
Hosting a big group of people is no easy task! At a get together, you will likely be very busy and may not have time to attend to your dog. If you can’t have someone else in your family help bring them for a walk and give them breaks, your dog may not be able to join the party.
And that’s perfectly fine! Check with a kennel or a dog sitter to see if they’re free to watch your dog. This will keep your dog occupied and relive you of caring for them when you’re too busy to do so.
I hope these tips are helpful for your future get togethers! As we approach the holiday seasons, it’s good to use these techniques to frame your plans and make sure your pup is taken care of.
Any tips you’ve found helpful at get togethers with your dogs? Share in the comments below.