Christmas decorations and your dog....what have you done to ensure your dog's safety?

Question

I thought I switched entirely to plastic ornaments this year, I was wrong. My lab knocked one off the tree with his happy tail, went to pick up the bulb, crushed it in his mouth....and there were shards of glass everywhere (including his poor bloody mouth.) Luckily, I didn't hesitate to get in touch with my vet....problem solved, he is okay now.

Those of us with dogs, no matter how well behaved they are, (and particularly those of us with puppies,) need to be watchful for things that can hurt them all the time...but especially this time of year when new things for the dog to investigate are out.

What have you done to make sure your dog(s) won't have any problems during this time of year?

What advice can you add that may help others reevaluate the safety of the dog's home?

Answer 1

My tree has been decorated for several years now with different colored sleigh bell instead of glass (or even plastic) balls. Metal is even less chewable than plastic. They ring too to give away the fact a dog or cat is messing with them - which can be a pro OR con since it always takes a day in which they make great efforts to make them ring before the novelty wears off.
AND I tie the tree to a hook in the ceiling so it can't fall over.

Answer 2

My biggest problem is with my cats. Last year my dear baby fluff-head chewed through the power cord of my Christmas lights. Thankfully, the voltage is low. No fried kitty for Christmas. If anyone can tell me how to get the cats to stop climbing the tree, I'd be ecstatic. Generally my pets just aren't that into the tree. I can't have any plants out, though, as they will eat them. Poinsettias, lilies, mistletoe, holly, etc. can be poisonous, so you pretty much just have to forget them (for small children, also). The best I could do was just hook the ornaments very tightly and place nonbreakables at the bottom of the tree.

Answer 3

I don't put anything breakable at the bottom of the tree. And those satin ornaments {styrofoam balls wrapped in satin thread} are out too cos the dogs and cats think they're balls and steal them to play with.
I usually put cloth or felt ornaments with no wire hooks at the bottom and lights are strung tightly at the bottom so that they are pulled at least halfway to the trees trunk and there are no wires hanging where a head or a tail can get tangled.
Also we have our tree in the same place every year and we put a big nail in the wall 1 1/2 ft. from the ceiling. As soon as the tree goes up a piece of strong twine goes around the tree snugly and is tied off to the nail so it cannot be pulled over.

Answer 4

LOL I was just going to ask the same question!

I have a new pup here and it's been interesting as to how he is acting around the tree. Our tree is fake but it looks very real. He did try to bite one of the branches and he just realized it was real sneezed and walked away. He hasn't touched it or gone near it since!
On the bottom branches I have special hooks that clasp onto the branches so the ornament can't become air borne when the 3 Happy tails of my Golden's pass by! I also have unbreakable ornament on the bottom of the tree. I will keep in mind about what happened to you though.

Answer 5

Our tree is an outdoor bonsai spruce that comes in to a tabletop for a few hours on Christmas morning while the gifts are being opened. All the other decorations are outside where the dogs can't reach them.

Answer 6

I was running late this year. I got the tree decorated at 11 am Christmas morning. 2 hours before everyone came over. So I will leave it up until New Years day.

Answer 7

All ornaments have been switched to plastic.

Dogs are trained to avoid the tree, presents,lights and ornaments.

All plants are kept above their reach.

They are kept crated when I am out of the house and cannot directly supervise.

My advice to others would just be to use common sense. Treat your dog as you would a small child when it comes to dangerous Christmas decorations. Be aware of where they are and what they are doing. Keep some level of attention on them at all times and immediately correct bad behavior.

Answer 8

My dogs are taught to not cross over the tree skirt (which extends about 2 feet beyond the tree. They know they are allowed to walk near the skirt, but they cannot even put one paw on the actual skirt!

Here is a blurb from the ASPCA about safety with Holiday decorations:

* Lovely lilies are commonly used in holiday floral arrangements, but many varieties—including tiger, Asian, Japanese show, stargazer and the Casablanca—can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.

* Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Sure, they add a nice touch to your holiday décor, but holly can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if eaten by your pet. And should he sample mistletoe, he could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic.

* Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria—and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

Answer 9

I put ornaments that won't break on thebottom of the tree and the three breakable ones on top of the tv so my dog and cat can't touch. Then the other glass balls on the upper part of the tree. My cat loves to climb the tree and my dog duke likes to chew on the tree. But I try and keep him away.

Answer 10

this year, since I have a 10 month GSD and a 4 month Pom, I put a smaller tree on top of the bigger dog crate. The crate is in our family room so it's where I spend most my time. Looks good and puppy proofed too.