During the busy Festive season, it is important to keep your dogs in mind. Here, TV dog trainer Cesar Millan gives his own personal tips for a balanced dog and owner relationship throughout the Christmas and Winter period:

1.) Exercise your dog out of doors before taking him to visit or receiving
holiday guests. Holiday visits may involve more excited energy than
usual. Your dog is more likely to behave if it has just had a nice
long walk.

2.) Don’t forget rules, boundaries, and limitations just because it’s the
holidays! Holidays bring many new temptations in the form of smells
(freshly baked cookies and a tree in the house), sights (bright
lights and visiting relatives), and sounds (Christmas carols and
sleigh bells). Use this opportunity to reinforce the household rules.

3.) Protect your dog from the cold. Many breeds are not built for cold
weather. Check out your local pet store for suggestions, such as doggy
boots or paw waxes, to help your dog handle the elements.

4.) Be cautious when around the fireplace and lit candles. Never leave an
animal unattended in a room with candles or a fireplace.

5.) Beware of hazardous holiday items. Ingested poinsettia plants cause
dogs to vomit; chocolate is poisonous to dogs; and tinsel has sent
many a dog to the emergency room. Keep fragile ornaments toward the
top of the Christmas tree; only place sturdy ones near the bottom.

6.) Protect your presents. Remember that a dog will know if a gift
contains something edible, even if you don’t. Ask your guests in
advance if there is food inside presents, and keep them out of your
dog’s reach!

7.) I don’t recommend giving a puppy as a holiday gift. I strongly
believe that the whole family needs to have basic knowledge about the
commitment and responsibility of pet ownership before receiving an
animal. Watch my new DVD Your New Dog: First Day and Beyond for tips
on bringing a dog into your home.

8.) Include your dog in your New Year’s Resolutions! Make a commitment to
be a pack leader 365 days a year, practice calm-assertive energy in
all aspects of your life, and work toward achieving calm submission
from your dog.

For more Cesar tips and information, please visit
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/.

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