​No one wants to have to take their dog to the vet on Christmas (and most vets are happy to spend the holiday with their families too) so how can we avoid an emergency visit over the holidays?

Most people know that chocolate is toxic to dogs (if they eat enough of it) but did you know about some of these other problematic foods?

As the air turns frosty and the leaves start falling it means that Halloween is not far away.

A night of fun and candy, children dressed up in a variety of costumes Halloween can be a very fun evening.  But, not all dogs enjoy superheros, princesses and an assortment of ghosts and goblins showing up on their doorstep.

So, how can we help our dogs?  First, start by taking a good objective look at your dog.  Does your dog enjoy children?  Does your dog take new things in stride, or will the costumes cause concern even though the children would be fine if they were dressed normally?  Does your dog enjoy children a little too much - bouncing and jumping, pulling at their costumes?  Will your dog be into the candy or bolt out the door?

​Which options you choose will depend on your situation and your dog.

• Carry on like it's a normal evening, your dog will hang out with you without any worry of accidental candy ingestion, jumping on children or running out the door.
• Refresh your dog's skills.  "Leave it" and "Go to Mat" can be very helpful in these situations.
• Practice your dog's ability to remain calm when there is knocking on the door or ringing of doorbells.

​Whatever option you choose, thinking about it in advance of the actual night will help make your Halloween enjoyable and less stressful than just winging it.

Here's to a safe and enjoyable Halloween for all.
Rosemary