You may or may not celebrate religious or cultural holidays at this time of year. If you do, there are often traditions that go with them in which you decorate your home with festive looking items. The shiny and bright lights, candles, new foods, plants and people create a lot of “new” energy for your dog. Here are some tips to keeping your home safe for your buddy dog during this time of year.

If you have a Christmas Tree in the house:

• Secure the tree: Make sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored to prevent it from toppling over if your dog decides to investigate or play around it.

• Avoid low-hanging ornaments: Hang fragile or tempting ornaments out of your dog's reach to prevent them from being knocked off or chewed.

• Consider a gate: If you have a particularly curious dog, consider using a dog gate to keep them away from the tree when unsupervised.

Lights:

• Keep cords out of reach. Dogs can easily chew on cords, which can result in electrical shock or other injuries. Use cord protectors or keep cords hidden.

• Unplug when not in use: When you're not around to supervise, unplug decorative lights to prevent your dog from chewing and getting tangled in them.

Candles:

• Be cautious with open flames. Lit candles can pose a fire hazard if your dog accidentally knocks them over or gets close with a fluffy tail. Keep candles out of your dog's reach and never, never leave your dog unattended near them.

• Consider battery operated candles. Yes, battery operated candles may not have the same impact, but we humans have the ability to put meaning to a lot of things, so create your meaning and keep your dog and house safe.

Toxic Plants: Many common holiday plants, such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe, can be toxic to dogs. Keep these out of their reach or opt for artificial alternatives.

Holiday Food: Keep festive foods out of reach. Many holiday treats are not safe for dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, and certain spices. Ensure your dog can't access these foods by keeping your counters clear or your dog on supervised tie down or in a crate.

Artificial Snow and Spray: Avoid using artificial snow sprays or other chemical-based products. These can be harmful if ingested or inhaled by your dog.

Supervision and Training: While you may not have time to completely TRAIN your dog in only a few weeks, you can certainly start. Make their bed or crate have more value when there are lots of these new distractions around. Feed, feed, feed when they are choosing to be on their bed. Don’t be stingy! We decided to put up all these crazy items - reward your dog for ignoring them.

Supervise your dog: When decorating, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your dog, especially if they are prone to investigating new items in the house.

Proofing Cues: If your dog already knows cues like "leave it" and "stay", now is a great time to reinforce and proof the behaviors to help your dog “just in case” they decide to get into something on the “non-approved list”.

By taking these precautions and being aware of potential hazards, you can enjoy a festive holiday season while keeping their dog safe. Remember that each dog is unique, and some may be more prone to curiosity or mischief, so tailor your safety measures accordingly.