Christmas is an exciting and enjoyable time of year, but it brings its own special stresses too, for people and dogs!

With so much to think about it can be easy to overlook some potential risks to your dog.

Muzzle training can be a really helpful too as it is beneficial for dogs who love to snaffle up anything and everything in the home or out and about. It is a great option for management to use alongside training short term, as well as being a more permanent option if needed.

If your dog is not muzzle trained currently, it is well worth considering as an option for the future to help during the Christmas period.

It is important to make sure you use muzzles safely, and only when your dog is happy and comfortable to wear them for longer periods. Remember – we advise that dogs are never left muzzled when unattended. Never force a muzzle onto your dog with no prior desensitisation as it could be a really unpleasant experience for them.

You can find out how to introduce a muzzle or check out our muzzle training e-guide 

One of our muzzles key features is the awesome treat hole at the front, which allows dogs to still receive treats even when muzzled.

However we recognise that this isn’t an ideal feature for scavenger dogs!

That’s why we designed our patent-pending scavenger guard, which clips onto the front of the muzzle to cover the treat hole and front panel of the muzzle.

This stops dogs from being able to pick up objects which may have otherwise fit through the holes at the front.

Find out more about our Scavenger Guards.

Have a read through to see some things to be mindful of this holiday season, to make sure you and your dog can have a safe Christmas!

Dangerous Foods
Nothing says Christmas like cupboards full of tasty treats and delicious festive snacks! It’s important to remember that a lot of these can be dangerous for dogs.

Most guardians are already aware of the risks and take care with chocolates in the house but be extra vigilant on walks around town, in case you come across tubs of chocolates and sweets that customers can help themselves too…and maybe a cheeky pup! Chocolate contains Theobromine and many sweets contain Xylitol – both of which can cause stomach upsets at best, organ failure and can be fatal.

Don’t forget to keep your Yule Log safely out of reach and avoid placing any chocolate decorations low on the Christmas tree.

Another ingredient to look out for are raisins. Christmas snacks like mince pies, Christmas cake, Christmas Pudding and panettone all contain raisins, so ensure they are safely stored in cupboards.

Even a small number of ingested raisins can be very dangerous. Don’t forget grapes are also toxic so make sure any included with your cheese boards are safely out of reach!

Another consideration is cooked bones. Most dogs love to have a little treat of some Turkey on Christmas Day but cooked bones are a no-no. They can splinter when chewed and sharp shards can cause serious damage to a dogs’ mouth and digestive tract.

They could also cause a blockage so make sure any bones are safely disposed of, preferably in a bin outside or that a dog cannot reach

that meaty smell could tempt most dogs to raid the bin!

If you are leaving food out on the table or sides for the family or guests to enjoy, consider limiting access for your dog with a baby gate if they are okay with that.

If they are comfortable to be muzzled but enjoy a little counter surfing, this is an ideal opportunity to put the muzzle to good use and still make sure your dog can enjoy the company!

Festive Plants
If you are planning to deck the halls with boughs of festive foliage, remember that some common Christmassy plants are toxic to dogs. Make sure they are displayed up high and check regularly for any dropped leaves or berries that you dog may have access too.

Toxic plants to consider are Poinsettias, Holly berries, Mistletoe and Ivy. Usually, these plants can cause irritation to the skin or upset tummy if digested,

but always contact a veterinarian if your dog eats or comes into contact with potentially dangerous plants.

Chewing temptations

If your dog is partial to having a nibble…or even taking a chunk out(!) of things, there are some considerations to take around the festive period.

A beautiful Christmas tree full of bright, colourful baubles and decorations can be very tempting to a dog who sees it as a huge toy box in the lounge! Take extra care if you hang glass ornaments on the tree, as these could shatter and cause a lot of damage if chewed or eaten by dogs.

Beautiful fairy lights also pose a risk of electrical burns or electrocution if they are chewed so ensure all cables and tucked safely away and consider limiting un-monitored access to the tree for your dog if they are a chew-risk, or using a muzzle if you are unable to keep a close eye on them.

Remember to never leave a muzzle dog unattended.

Tinsel can seem like a great shredding toy to many dogs who find the fuzzy, reflective stuff too tempting to leave alone! However, it may pose a risk of causing a blockage if ingested so ensure it is safely out of reach.

Management around people
Christmas is an exciting time, often resulting in excitable and loud children, changes in routines and lots of visitors in the home. Some dogs may cope just fine with all this, take it in their stride or even enjoy the extra hustle and bustle, but many can find this time of year overwhelming and unsettling.

It's a good idea to create a safe space for them if they don’t already have one. Create a little den a few weeks before, somewhere quiet that visitors or over-excited children don’t have access to. This could be an open crate or cosy corner in a room with a baby gate on. Ensure your dog has a comfy, familiar bed, some of your dogs’ favourite toys and some enrichment activities.

Regularly offer them some tasty treats or chews there to build up a positive association to help them see this as a good, safe place.

Using Pet Remedy can also help dogs to feel more calm meaning they may cope better with the disruption. Did you know you can get a whopping 25% off Pet Remedy products when you use the code THEMUZZLEMOVEMENT

If your dog is unsure about being left alone and would rather be a part of the party, but may get a little excited around running kids, visiting dog or new people, using a muzzle (as long as the dog is fully muzzle trained) can be a really helpful option to keep everyone safe.

Here at the Muzzle Movement, we LOVE Christmas and we hope you now feel prepared and confident with keeping your dog safe and happy this festive season, and see the benefits of muzzle training your dog to help in the future!

We have also created a whole range of seasonal muzzle goodies for you and your dog – from stickers, jumpers and tees to muzzle strapping, collars, leads and even our special mystery boxes!

Check out our Christmas range

We hope you have the most magical Christmas

from all at The Muzzle Movement!