If you have a dog who’s fond of your Christmas tree in ways you don’t appreciate, think of it from his perspective. Trees belong outside, and a lot of times, they are used for eliminating on. So bring one into the house, and what else would you do if you were in his paws? Add to that the pretty ornaments, bright lights, and all the interesting and attractive boxes and packages under the Christmas tree, and your dog may become obsessed with this new toy.
This is where management comes in and thinking about how to keep your dog away from the tree without devoted hours of training. Unless you intend to keep a Christmas tree in your house year-round, management is the most efficient use of time when it comes to keeping your Christmas tree intact and safe from the family dog.
A barrier around the tree would be an excellent way to enjoy the tree and keep the beloved family dog a proper distance. A barrier across the room the tree is in would also work. Ex-pens, like the one cat-proofing this tree is one of the handiest tools to have around the house, year round. In the case of barricading a tree from a dog with an ex-pen, one level, instead of two, should do the job.
Besides using ex-pens to barricade things from the dog, you can also use them as they were first intended – to put into a square, latch it with some hooks, and put the dog inside. Ex-pens are used at dog shows across the country for this very reason. Containment. Some models come with doors embedded into the frame as well. If you need more ex-pen length than one provides, you can purchase two and latch them together at the ends. And they come in silver and gold, which are conveniently part of the color scheme of Christmas.
Contact me today if you need help managing your dog’s environment or to get started on a personalized, solutions-based dog training plan. Happy holidays!
Helen Verte Schwarzmann
Certified in Training and Counseling
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-KA
Certified Trick Dog Instructor
Your Dog Trainer for Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Broward County South Florida
By Helen Verte
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