Holiday Hazards: Keeping Your Dog Safe Around Decorations, Food, and Guests
A Guide from Off Leash K9 Training
The holidays bring excitement, décor, delicious food, and lots of house traffic—but for your dog, they also bring a flood of new temptations and potential dangers. At Off Leash K9 Training, we see a spike in questions every year around this time: How do I keep my dog safe? How do I stop them from getting into everything?
Good news—a trained dog is a safe dog, especially during the holiday season. With the right awareness and a few key obedience cues, you can enjoy the festivities stress-free.
🎄 1. Dangerous Decorations
Holiday décor is irresistible for curious noses. Here are the biggest risks and how to prevent them:
Ornaments & Hooks
Dogs often mistake ornaments for toys. Glass ornaments can shatter and cause cuts or be swallowed.
Training Tip:
Use “Leave it” to prevent your dog from picking up dropped ornaments or investigating the tree. A reliable “Off” helps keep them from jumping toward low-hanging décor.
Tinsel may look shiny and fun, but if swallowed, it can cause intestinal blockage—an emergency situation.
Training Tip:
Place your dog on a “Place” command nearby while decorating. This keeps them calm and stationary instead of exploring every glittery new object.
Christmas Trees
Water additives, electrical cords, pine needles, and unstable trees can all pose hazards.
Safety Ideas:
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Use cord protectors
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Secure your tree to prevent tipping
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Keep tree water covered
A strong “Come” command helps pull your dog away from the tree as soon as they show too much interest.
🍫 2. Holiday Foods That Can Be Dangerous
The holiday menu is delicious for humans—but many foods can be toxic to dogs.
Chocolate & Baked Goods
Chocolate, xylitol (found in many sugar-free treats), and rich holiday cookies are all dangerous.
Turkey Bones & Fatty Foods
Cooked bones splinter easily, and fatty scraps can cause pancreatitis.
Grapes, Raisins, Macadamia Nuts
Common in holiday dishes but toxic to dogs.
Training Tip:
Teach a solid “Place” command during meals or food prep. This keeps your dog calm and out of the kitchen (and out of trouble).
Pair that with “Leave it” for any dropped food.
🌺3. Hazardous Holiday Plants
⚠️ Common Toxic Plants
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Poinsettias (mildly toxic)
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Mistletoe
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Holly berries
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Lilies (especially dangerous for cats but worth noting for multi-pet homes)
🎅 4. Guests, Parties & Stress
The holidays usually mean extra noise, extra people, and extra chaos. For some dogs, that’s overwhelming.
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Door dashing
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Jumping on guests
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Stealing food or gifts
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Anxiety from new people or loud environments
Here’s where Off Leash K9 Training obedience really shines:
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“Sit” + “Off” → prevents jumping
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“Place” → gives your dog a calm, controlled spot when guests arrive
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“Come” → keeps them from slipping out the door during the hustle
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Impulse control drills → reduce anxiety and improve overall behavior
🐶 5. Supervised Fun = Safe Fun
The holidays should be joyful for the whole family—dogs included. With awareness and reliable obedience training, you can drastically reduce risks and increase peace of mind.
At Off Leash K9 Training, we specialize in creating dogs that are calm, confident, and trustworthy—even in high-distraction environments like holiday parties.
