4 Dog Management Tips for Labor Day Weekend
- Sep 4, 2015
- 2 min read
By Jamie Damato Migdal, CEO and Pet Industry Entrepreneur
It’s Labor Day already! Although I’m sorry to see the summer end, I’m secretly relieved that this is probably the last weekend (until December 31) when the dogs will have to deal with fireworks.
Holidays can seem like a non-stop exercise in dog management, so here are a few tips and reminders to help keep you away from the emergency vet and lost pet boards this weekend.
Set up a quiet retreat for your pet. This is one of the most important things you can do to make life better for everyone. Even for a laid-back dog, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing, and if you are busy barbecuing or socializing you won’t necessarily know when your dog has had enough. Make sure you have a crate, bed, or travel cage set up in a quiet space, and give your pet a high-value treat to keep him happy and distracted while you're entertaining.
Eliminate temptation. I'm always amazed at how effortlessly even old, overweight, and out of shape dogs can make it onto the table or grill if the incentive is strong enough. Don’t leave the barbecue fixings where the dogs can get them; if they aren’t outright dangerous (I’m looking at you, chopped onions and guacamole), too much raw meat/cheese/potato salad is going to cause all sorts of gastrointestinal distress that you'll have to clean up later.
Be considerate. If your dog doesn’t like heat, small children, car travel, or strangers, it’s better for everyone if you leave him at home. Even a people-friendly dog can get overwhelmed with too much stimulation, and frankly it’s just not worth it. Call your dog walker (or use an on-demand service) and arrange for a couple of potty breaks while you’re gone so that everyone can enjoy the day.
Have your emergency plan ready. No matter how much planning and management you do, things can still go wrong. Know what to do if your dog does go missing, and keep that emergency vet information and poison-control hotline number posted somewhere handy.
Enjoy your weekend!
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