SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — If you recall the holiday classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Cousin Eddie’s dog Snot has a habit of yakking up bones.
“Oh, he’s just yakking on a bone. He’s got it up. He’s all right now,” the bone-headed Eddie tells Clark W. Griswold.
But it is a problem. You don’t want Spot or Rover or Lady or Duke “yakking up a turkey bone” or other things they shouldn’t have as we start the holiday season with Thanksgiving this week.
Dog-training collar maker Halo has some tips on how to avoid common health hazards for our canine companions.
- DON’T GIVE A DOG A BONE
He’s looking up at you with his big brown eyes begging for the bones left on the plate and it’s easy to give in, thinking just one won’t do any harm. Small bones can end up lodged in windpipes or causing worse damage when passing through their systems. Find a suitable doggy treat for them instead.
- LEFTOVERS LOCKDOWN
Funnily enough, lots of dog-related incidents over the holiday involve dogs who decide to ‘help themselves’ to leftovers that are left lying around. Dogs are unable to handle chocolate, raisins and many other human foods, so make sure these are kept well out of reach of Fido this year.
- DON’T FORGET TO EXERCISE THEM
Even on a holiday, it’s important to make sure that dogs are well exercised to make sure they don’t cause chaos in the home. Take your furry friend out for a walk before dinner to make sure he’s calm and relaxed and not causing mischief while you all eat.
(Halo contributed to this report/news release.)
