Doggone Etiquette —

Gobble, Gobble!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

It will soon be here – that big “Feast of Fall” that we talked about! Thanksgiving Day is next week and the smell of food cooking in your house may already have your nose in the air. It gets better and you only have a few more days to wait. If your family goes away, and you go to the kennel, not to worry, you are sure to get something special there. Now if you happen to go away with your family, never mind nosing around for special treats. It’s time to get out your very best manners. That way, you might even get invited back in a few weeks for the next food feast!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

This is the time of year, with family and friends dropping by, in addition to the fabulous smell of cooking, that must seem like seventh heaven to our dogs. You know your dog, so family and friends are probably not a problem. However, if your otherwise friendly dog has taken upon himself the job of guarding the household, or is upset (jealous?) with the inevitable hugs and kisses taking place when the people are greeted, then you have to put your foot down. Or, maybe put Rufus on a Sit-Stay elsewhere in the house!             

And while you’re at it, you might as well make your New Year’s resolution right now to train Rufus how to greet people properly. Your trainer will show you how. The method is called “saturation” and primarily only requires the help of a few friends and neighbors.   

We’ve been through the health hazards of certain foods, so there’s really only one more that sends up an alert signal, and that is the symbol of Thanksgiving – the turkey. A bit of leftover turkey meat is fine, and no doubt your dog will completely agree! The danger lies in those bones. All poultry bones are hazardous because they splinter and can cause bleeding from the time they hit the dog’s mouth, right on through the throat and down into the stomach and beyond. Because some of these bones are so thin, they can easily be hidden in the bit of meat you are offering as a treat or in the dog’s dinner. Make sure the kids are told not to make little clandestine offerings to the dog beneath the table. Be super careful.

Here are two tips for the dog’s dinner on this special day.

1. Give him something special for that meal. Regular dog food is fine, but make sure it’s his favorite one. Or you could mix in broken-up liver treats, or top it off with a spoonful of gravy.

2. Feed him an hour or more before you sit down to your Thanksgiving dinner. That way he won’t be underfoot and eyeing your food. He might enjoy an enforced nap in another room if his tummy’s full.         

All this talk about food – for us and for our dogs – brings me to ask that you support our local food banks, with perhaps a bit extra for the pets who might not otherwise share our Thanksgiving Day. If you haven’t already done it, put it on your “To Do” list for this weekend.

Until then—HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

- Bardi               

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.