Christmas isn’t Christmas without yummy treats - and that should apply to our dogs too!
It’s important to remember that lots of human festive foods can be poisonous to dogs, including mince pies, Christmas pudding, and chocolate.
So while keeping dangerous foods out of reach, why not bake your dog some Christmas treats of their very own? Follow the easy recipe below and surprise your dog!
Cheesy Christmas Dog Cookies
Ingredients:
-
4 cups flour
-
2 cups grated cheese
-
2 tbsp oil
-
1 cup water
Method:
-
Combine ingredients to form stiff dough
-
Roll out to approx 1cm thick
-
Cut out shapes (ideally with Christmas cutters!)
-
Bake at 180 degrees until firm
What can dogs not eat at Christmas
-
Chocolate
-
Alcohol
-
Grapes and raisins
-
Anything containing xylitol
-
Cooked bones
-
Mince pies
-
Christmas pudding
-
Macadamia nuts
-
Stuffing
-
Blue Cheese
Be careful with foods that are high in fat like pigs in blankets or fatty meat cuts. While not toxic to dogs, too much salt and fat can cause digestive issues or even trigger pancreatitis.
How to teach your dog to drop it
Christmas is busy and that might mean your dog occasionally gets hold of something they shouldn’t have. Whether that’s a mince pie, a present under the tree, or the kids new favourite toy - this fun game will teach your dog to drop it.
Start training ‘drop it’ with play and your dog will learn the new skill fast. You can then transfer your new ‘drop it’ cue to other items (like food).
How to teach drop it
Use a chaser toy or a mid-length tuggy like the Bright Fauxtastic. The longer handle makes it easier to stay connected to your dog while training without creating confusion or adding tension.
STEP 1:
Begin with a short game of tug. Keep it low-energy. Your goal is to keep play at a level where your dog doesn’t find it too hard to disengage from the game.
STEP 2:
When you're ready, stop moving the toy - make it completely still or ‘dead’. Then slowly slide your hands down the toy toward your dog’s mouth. Say your cue - “Drop it” - and hold the toy still.
STEP 3:
The moment your dog lets go, instantly mark with a ‘yes’ or ‘good dog’ and reward them with another game of tug! If your dog won’t release the toy, toss a treat away to encourage them to drop - then reward with a tuggy party to celebrate.
This teaches your dog that the fun doesn’t end when they do as you ask. The game just gets better!
STEP 4:
Repeat the game a few times. Remember to keep the energy low enough that your dog can stay focused. And end the game on a high.
Make this Christmas extra special
Homemade treats are a brilliant way to show your dog how much they mean to you - but why stop there? From tug toys to fetch favourites, the right gift will make their Christmas morning truly magical.
Sleigh your shopping with our Christmas Gift Finder Quiz.
In just a minute, our festive fairy will fetch personalised toy picks for your dog (or the dog you love) - so you can unwrap tail-wagging joy on Christmas morning.
