![\"Thanksgiving](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/thanksgiving-puppy-tips-700x525.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen my sheltie Duffy was a puppy, I made sure that he was safe and wouldn\u2019t escape as friends entered the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I had to make sure that he didn’t eat any forbidden foods. After all, he was a \u201cfoodie\u201d and would scarf up any errant food if given the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I\u2019ll give I’ll share 6 essential tips for your puppy\u2019s first Thanksgiving. You want your guests and your pup to have a great holiday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips For Your Puppy’s First Thanksgiving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So you\u2019ll have to be sure that your puppy\u2019s safe and not overwhelmed by the event. Preparation is the key to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m assuming that you\u2019re hosting the Thanksgiving festivities at your home. If you should be visiting a friend or family member instead, the same general principles discussed below still apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping your puppy safe and meeting his training, exercise, and rest needs still apply. But you\u2019ll also have to get him accustomed to traveling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go on very short rides to positive places well in advance of your Thanksgiving holiday, And get him used to whatever safe way he\u2019ll travel This may be in a seatbelt harness, crate, or safety barrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t want him to be stressed on your Thanksgiving excursion. So preparation is the key to the beginning of a fun, productive holiday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, make sure that your host is open to you bringing your pet. If not, have a trusted friend or pet-sitting service watch your puppy at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or board him at a reliable, safe, experienced boarding facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Prepare Your Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Puppy-proof your home<\/a> just as you did when you got your puppy. Make sure that he can\u2019t reach any foods or decorations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They may be dangerous for him. And don\u2019t forget to have the trash out of his reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, prepare a safe room or area. You can put a gate on an existing room or even shut the door in an area that\u2019s been puppy-proofed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or you can place an exercise pen<\/a> in a safe, quiet area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend getting your puppy used to this type of confinement prior to the Thanksgiving festivities. This is so that your pup can chill out away from the festivities if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even a very friendly, outgoing puppy can be overwhelmed by the noise and commotion of the holidays. This can lead to him being over-stimulated and behaving in ways that you don\u2019t want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He may jump all over people, tug at their clothes, nip at their hands, and bark. Children visiting may even be knocked down by a puppy who is so excited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the other end of the spectrum, a shy, noise-sensitive puppy can become extremely fearful. This can make a long-lasting impression on such a pup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The safe room or area can be used for your puppy the entire time guests are present. Or, depending on the situation, he can be placed there as necessary\u2013such as when you\u2019re eating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have enrichment items, such as a stuffed Kong<\/a>, ready so that he won\u2019t be bored and see the confinement as a negative experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure that he has plenty of freshwater. And make sure that he\u2019s taken out to potty when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make the safe room or area a calming space for him to settle down when necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a comfortable bed (as long as doesn\u2019t see them as a big chew toy). Play calming music such as Through a Dog\u2019s Ear<\/a> or white noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If some guests don\u2019t like dogs, using such an area can be useful. But, if possible, have your puppy out some of the time so that he learns that guests are a positive thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can have him on a leash with you some of the time and have him calmly engage with dog-loving guests. You can give them safe treats to give the puppy when he\u2019s calm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also reward him for calm behavior<\/a>. As another safety measure, have a gate that opens and closes<\/a> as guests enter so that your puppy can\u2019t inadvertently run out the door should a guest enter or leave without your pup being contained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a leash ready by the door to place on your puppy so that you can safely have people enter without your pup dashing out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, depending on your puppy, having people over can be great socialization for your puppy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But make sure that he has been trained to commands that will help him during the holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Socialize your puppy to new people and situations including guests to your home prior to the holidays, so that he sees Thanksgiving as a positive experience for which he\u2019s<\/em> thankful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, just in case the unimaginable happens, and your puppy escapes, make sure that he wears identification tags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A microchip that\u2019s registered to you can also help him be returned to you should he slip out the door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Teach him<\/a> to sit and not jump on people<\/a>, including as they enter your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that he knows the \u201cleave it\u201d command so that won\u2019t take potentially dangerous items such as some foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that your puppy has a great recall, should you need him to come to you immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also important that he be trained to be confined as necessary to a crate, exercise pen, or safe room well before you need them. You can also teach your puppy how to calm down<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teach him to stay or wait by a door so that he doesn\u2019t run outside potentially getting lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on his age and abilities, you can even teach your pup to go to a dog bed<\/a> or mat and stay there until released when necessary, such as when people enter or when you’re eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to your guests arriving, make sure that your puppy had enough exercise. It\u2019s important that he isn\u2019t too energetic or he probably won\u2019t have enough impulse control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s when he\u2019ll engage in unwanted behaviors like jumping and barking. I\u2019m sure that you\u2019ve seen it when your puppy doesn\u2019t get enough physical exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He\u2019ll jump, grab clothes, and bark at you. So, instead, head him off at the pass and make sure that he can handle the excitement of guests arriving and staying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This includes physical and mental exercise. Both take the edge off and help prevent unwanted behaviors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Take him for a walk. Play fetch. Do some obedience exercises. Engage in enrichment exercises like activity toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important not only to exercise your pup prior to your guests\u2019 arrival but also while they\u2019re at your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If someone can take him for a walk while they\u2019re there, that\u2019s great. Then, he can be ready for the rest of their visit. The old adage that \u201ca tired dog\u2019s a good dog\u201d still rings true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, as much as possible during the holidays, try to keep to your dog\u2019s normal routine. Feed him at the same time you usually do, exercise him, and still train and play with him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With all you have to do, it\u2019s sometimes easy for a puppy to get lost in the shuffle<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to accustom your puppy to new people, noises, and events that he\u2019ll have to face when your guests descend on your house for Thanksgiving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So well in advance, have friends in and simulate a celebration. Do the techniques discussed in this article to make the visit a success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The more successful set-ups that you do prior to the real celebration, the more stress-free your Thanksgiving will be for all\u2013you, your guests, and especially for you pup;<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrain\u201d Your Guests: No Table Scraps or Encouraging Bad Behavior<\/p>\n\n\n\n This sounds funny at first. But it\u2019s important to remind your guests not to open external doors when the puppy can escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And ask your visitors not to give them any human food. Some of it can upset your dog\u2019s digestion. And some can even be toxic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll discuss what foods are dangerous below. Even for safe foods, feeding a puppy from the table can create a begging habit you won\u2019t want to live with. Believe me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of my friends slipped my Lhasa apso Mikey food from the table. Mikey had been a stray found on the streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So food was extremely important to him since he never knew when his next meal was coming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mikey was the original definition of a foodie. So he started to beg at the table. I had previously worked with this habit and he learned that he got something better\u2013a stuffed Kong or chewie\u2013when we ate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After I saw my friend give the beggar Mikey food, I informed her why she shouldn\u2019t. Sometimes the people need to be \u201ctrained.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many think that giving a puppy table food is cute and don\u2019t realize the Pandora\u2019s box they\u2019re opening when feeding the pup from the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you can sequester your puppy during mealtime. But not feeding from the table also includes any snacks from other areas such as coffee tables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve found that most people will happily assist you by appropriately engaging with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also ask your guests not to acknowledge or pet your puppy unless he\u2019s calm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So many people get as excited as a puppy does when meeting your furry bundle. They\u2019ll say \u201dWhat a cute puppy!\u201d in a high-pitched tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the puppy will jump, squeal, and generally be out-of-control. So try to have your guests be calm when engaging with him.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Informing people of your \u201crules\u201d can go a long way to having a pleasant, dog-inclusive Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there are children, they can also help make sure that interactions with the puppy are appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assuming that the child is mature enough to understand what you say and will follow your directions, she can engage with the puppy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, all interactions should be carefully supervised. Make sure that any children interacting with your puppy understand that he\u2019s a living being and not a stuffed toy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No puppy should be subject to any harsh interactions. No one should: pet him if not gentle; ride on him; pull his ears or tail; scream at him; or otherwise handle him in a harsh manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This behavior can scare a puppy and even make him feel that he needs to defend himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children who haven\u2019t been trained how to engage with a puppy may do these things without even realizing they\u2019re not right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So you have to \u201cschool\u201d them or not have them engage with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such unpleasant, harsh interactions are not only cruel but may also color the way your puppy sees small humans in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A child can play \u201cfind it\u201d with the puppy, where you give her a few pieces of kibble to gently toss while saying \u201cfind it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This game should be played only if your puppy won\u2019t then attempt to take treats out of the child\u2019s hand or jump on the child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also have the puppy sit and give him a treat for sitting near the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caution<\/strong>: with very young children, especially those who are new to the puppy, it\u2019s best to have the puppy on a leash so that he can\u2019t jump on or otherwise injure a child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your guests are dog-friendly, you can even have them play with your puppy as long as the game doesn\u2019t over-stimulate him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You want to be sure that guests are a positive experience because their view of the world is shaped by each interaction he has. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They can even cuddle with him if you want them to and if your puppy\u2019s calm and accustomed to this as a positive experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you\u2019ll probably be extremely busy attending to your guests, it can be very helpful to ask a friend or family member to help watch your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to have someone chosen in advance of the festivities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the friend should be dog-savvy. If possible, try to get someone who already knows your pup and who your pup feels comfortable with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This person can make sure that your puppy\u2019s safe and help your puppy engage properly with your guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just the thought of Thanksgiving can make me salivate. There are so many yummy foods! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some are safe for our canine companions in small amounts. Others can be deadly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, it\u2019s never good to feed your dog from the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doing so can create a begging habit. And it can also create a food-stealing habit because the puppy can think that whatever\u2019s on the table is fair game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a precaution, have the contact information for the pet poison control hotline<\/a> ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And have information regarding any local emergency vets<\/a> on hand should an emergency occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foods that are toxic<\/a> or dangerous to dogs include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So many items are alluring to your puppy. After all, a pup explores the world with his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And many plants and decorations<\/a> can harm or be deadly to your precious furry friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And other household products and medicines<\/a> can also be toxic and should be kept out of your pup\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In very small quantities, some foods are safe for most puppies. Of course, you shouldn\u2019t feed him from the table unless you want to live with a beggar while you eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, if you want your puppy to taste a few small tidbits of the Thanksgiving bounty, go ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t recommend adding it to his kibble. You don\u2019t want to create a picky eater when he discovers how tasty our food is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll give my dogs a taste (just a shred, really) of some Thanksgiving foods. But I make them \u201cwork\u201d for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They can sit for a shred of white meat turkey, for example. I have them perform their training exercises away from the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By doing this, they think of the tasty morsels as a treat, not part of our meal. The foods should be plain without sauces, added fats, sugars, spices, skin, or bones. Safe foods include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Prepare Your Puppy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Teach Commands <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Exercise Your Puppy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Socialize Your Puppy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Recruit a Puppy-Watcher<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Which Thanksgiving Foods Are Safe For Your Puppy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Other Dangerous Thanksgiving Items<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Can You Give Any Thanksgiving Foods To Your Pup?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"6](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tips-puppys-first-thanksgiving-700x1050.jpg\")
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