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What Every Dog Owner Ought to Know About Holiday Safety

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching! While you’re busy decorating and preparing your home for guests, here are a few important tips to keep your dog safe this season.

The Christmas Tree

Tinsel, small ornaments, and ornament hooks are major choking hazards for dogs. It’s best to avoid tinsel altogether and keep small ornaments high on the tree, out of the dog’s reach. Also, make sure there are no stray ornament hooks on the floor!

If your family has a real tree (as opposed to an artificial tree), it’s best to block off the area around the tree with a screen or gate. Many dogs become ill from drinking tree water and ingesting pine needles. Vacuum the area around the tree regularly.

Holiday Guests

It’s exciting to have family and friends over during the holidays—even for your dog! But there are certain precautions you should take when having company over.

Dogs can easily slip out the door when people are continuously going in and out. Make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag with your phone number, even if he is micro-chipped. Not everyone who finds a lost dog knows to have him checked for a micro-chip.

Your guests may adore your dog, but don’t let them give your dog any food without asking. Children especially may want to give the dog a treat—hand them a safe treat and supervise while they give it to the dog. Under no circumstances should your dog be given turkey or chicken bones. They are too small and are a serious choking hazard. As an alternative, buy a marrow bone at the grocery store as a special holiday treat.

Why You Shouldn’t Give Dogs as Gifts

Bringing a new dog into the family is a wonderful thing, especially if you adopt a dog from a shelter. However, giving a dog as a Christmas gift is never a good idea. Regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or an adult, his first few days in your home should be all about him. The holidays, for most families, are too chaotic and busy for a dog to get used to his new environment, and he may become anxious or frightened.

A great idea for families who want to give their children a dog for Christmas is to gift wrap a dog bone. When the child opens it, tell them it’s for the new dog that you’ll be getting in a few weeks. Or you can leave a note from Santa explaining that he didn’t have enough room on his sleigh and will be coming back with the dog. Animal shelters are flooded every January with dogs who were given as Christmas gifts—so January is a great time to adopt a dog who needs a home.

Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have your vet’s phone number posted in a visible spot. Your vet’s office should have someone answering the phone 24/7. The most important thing to remember, amidst all the chaos of the holidays, is to always know where your dog is and what he’s up to. That way everyone in your home, including the four-legged family members, can have a Merry Christmas.

© luvmutt.com 2007

Be sure to check out our Holiday Gift Guide for 15 Great Gifts Under $15!

Tips for Photographing Black Dogs

At luvmutt.com, we receive a lot of submissions of very adorable black dogs. Unfortunately, we’re unable to feature many of these dogs because the photographs are not clear.

It is notoriously hard to photograph black dogs. They often come out looking like shadows, indistinguishable from the background, and their facial features practically disappear. The problem is almost always with the lighting.

The following is advice will help you take better photos of your black dog:

Black dogs are best photographed outside. Ideally, the weather should be overcast to avoid harsh sunlight. Your photos will also come out better if you take them in the morning or early evening, when the sun is lower in the sky. You want the light source (the sun if you’re outside) to be on the side of your dog, not in front or behind.

If you are photographing indoors, a black dog will photograph best in light-colored surroundings. A black dog on a black couch may look adorable in person, but the dog will be practically invisible in the photo.

You also don’t want to have the dog directly in front of a wall, because the flash from the camera will bounce back and create a big shadow. You do want to make sure the room is as bright as possible to begin with. Your dog may look very cute curled up on your bed at night, but if the lights are too dim, the flash will wash out the whole picture, and it will cause red eye.

If nothing else, you will definitely notice an improvement in your dog’s photos just from shooting them outdoors. Your dog will probably enjoy the photo shoot more, too!

Good luck and be sure to send us your best shots so we can feature more black dogs on luvmutt.com! (Send photos to submissions@luvmutt.com.)

Tips for Adopting a Shelter Dog

Adopting a shelter dog is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. For dog lovers, there is no greater joy than bringing a new dog home for the first time and watching her explore her new surroundings.

When you adopt a shelter dog, you are not only getting a new best friend, you’re saving a life. In America, between 8 and 12 million pets are brought to animal shelters every year. When you and your family are ready to bring a new dog into your home, consider visiting your local shelter to find the dog that’s right for you.

A visit to the animal shelter can be an emotional experience. It’s very important to focus on the types of dogs that you can properly care for. Take your time deciding! If you’re thinking about a puppy, be honest with yourself about what it’s going to take to raise him. If you feel in your heart that it’s not the right time for a puppy, there are plenty of older dogs who would love to come home with you. In general, look for a dog that is:

Healthy – Clear nose and eyes, smooth skin, supple fur
Responsive – Approaches you, accepts eye contact, wags its tail
Balanced – Curious and interested in you but neither aggressive nor fearfully shy

Remember to inquire about any medications the dog may be taking, and find out if she has been vaccinated. Spaying or neutering is also a good idea, and most shelters will provide this service at no or low cost.

Adopting a shelter dog can be a great experience for you and your family, and an even greater one for your new best friend!