We have an 8 month old black lab puppy who is into everything. We usually have a big, beautiful live tree in our house every Christmas. I have lots of nice ornaments which I would love to put out this year, but I don't want my dog to get into the tree, injest the needles, break and eat the glass ornaments, knock over the tree, etc ... Other than using a pet gate, is there anything I can do to discourage my dog from getting into the tree and stuff on it?
At any home improvement store or carpet shop, you can get this vinyl carpet protector:
http://convention .issa.com/show08/Data/E ... As you can see, the bottom has little plastic spikes. Dogs and cats won't step on this stuff.
You can buy it in already cut rolls, or off the spool, by the foot.
You just put it around your tree, upside down, with the spikes up ..
It is 98 cents per foot at Lowes.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
I also run clear fishing line from the tree to the wall or window sill, to cross-tie the tree in place, so it can't be knocked over. I have done this since my kids were little.
Leave off the hanging icicle. That can be too tempting, swaying in the drafts, and is dangerous or deadly if a dog swallows it.
If you have a rambunctious puppy who is at the "teenager stage" and so has long legs and big feet and doesn't know where to put them - and lots of energy - you might want to put your nicest ornaments away for a year or two. You dog will calm down with time.
You can also put the tree in a room where the dog is not allowed or try to train the dog not to go near the tree. There is a good anti-chew spray called bitter apple that may keep your pup from chewing on the tree, but it doesn't always keep dogs completely away from things.
I had this same problem last year. There are certain things you can buy from a pet store that will either set off an alarm or spray an orderless liquid that deters your pet away from a certain areas when he comes near.I would go with the alarm though, because im sure when you want to check out the tree you dont want to be sprayed.but those are about the only other options you have other than the baby gate or just watching the dog carefully.
I would run a line from the top of the tree to a hook in the ceiling, so the dog cannot knock the tree over.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
At one point I had cats that liked to climb the Christmas tree, and I did that (also when my children were very young and likely to pull the tree over.)
Then either leave your precious ornaments off this year, or put them up high, where the dog cannot reach them.
When my kids were small, all our ornaments were unbreakable plastic. That might be a good choice for a Lab puppy as well.: O)
Block off the room. Period. You won't be able to supervise 24/7 , i'm guessing, and all it would take is one second of looking away for a pup to knock the whole tree down or swallow something. It would be far easier and safer for all involved if the pup just can't be near the tree.
If for whatever reason the pup is in the same room, then have him leashed.
Put all the ornaments a ways up the tree (so if he bumps into the tree [since some dogs enjoy laying under it] he won't knock anything over) and teach him to stay away from it. You can also get:
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
http://www.amazon.com/Mammoth-Extra -X-Ma ... And put a bunch around the tree so he actually can't get near it.
Maybe this year you can put up a smaller tree & set it on a table or stand. Don't put anything on the bottom that you cherish.
You could train the pup to stay away from the tree the same way you would teach a young child to stay away from a tree.
If you go to Petco or Petsmart they sell these things, its meant to keep them off furniture but i bet you can put it on the floor buy the tree. Anyway you go there and they sell these things you can put on the floor by the tree and if the dog goes near the tree it like shoos them away.
There is a spray called "Stay Off" made by Hartz, it can be used to keep pets away from trees and furniture, it works very well. You can use it inside and outside as a pet deterrent. I have two dogs and two cats - it works.
ok so you have a dog and dont want him to be near your christmas tree .............. give him a toy or something to keep his attention ... ..... try not to get mad if he happens to be near the tree i bet hes curious or has to use the bathroom. lol
Try spraying some bitter apple juice near the branches most accessible to your puppy; that might act as a deterrent. Your could also try making a really loud noise everytime you see him go near the tree, that will also act as a deterrent
Dogs are not around for many Christmases, they have short lives. Your dog is more important than a Christmas tree. Forget the tree this year, wait until next year when your dog will be more biddable.
