How to Dog-Proof Your Christmas Tree

Christmas is a time for the whole family to enjoy. And it usually kicks off by putting up and decorating the tree.

But what happens when your dog just won’t play ball and has other ideas? Simply ask yourself, is my Christmas tree dog proof?

A dog and a Christmas tree combined has the potential to be dangerous and not a great combination if it is not thought through.

Remember, it’s their home too so sharing this part of Christmas with them is probably more important to them than you may think. Let’s keep our best friends happy and involved this Christmas!

Let’s start with the actual tree itself. Now we have a puppy or dog to contend with, your best choice is probably going to be an artificial tree. That way the needles won’t drop on the ground and expose themselves for your curious doggo to swallow. And let’s face it, I’m sure you won’t miss getting out the vacuum every day to clean a real tree up!

If your dog seems extra interested in your tree whilst putting it up, try leaving it bare for a few days so he/she can get used to it. The chances are they’re going to be a little intimidated by a large new object in their house!

Make sure that the tree is secure and stable to avoid any toppling accidents and if you feel fit, add a tree stand cover. Once they show a disinterest and are comfortable with the tree, it’s time for the rest of the Christmas decorations!

Decorations such as tinsel are great fun to play with and your dog probably thinks so too. But almost definitely not for the same reasons. 

For the safety of your dog and for the sake of not having to reconstruct your tree every day, try and avoid the following:

• Tinsel
• Glass ornaments/baubles
• Metal hooks
• Candy canes
• Any other edibles! (tree chocolates, etc)

You can find plenty of dog friendly decorations that are safe if they do get their paws on them and also not necessarily enticing to them – although never say never for those super inquisitive pups out there!

Ensure any electrics like tree lights are tucked away. We don’t want your dog to get their teeth into those! Be aware of where they are placed and whether they can fall loose accidentally.

Some doggie parents find that creating a physical barrier around the tree works a treat. A fence, gate or cage high enough to stop any mishaps can work wonders! This is, of course, assuming that your dog is trained and can understand where his/her limited areas are.

Try not to rely on this option entirely as some of our furry friends still may not understand the purpose of the barrier. They could think it is a toy and try hopping over. 

Try to keep your most fragile and precious decorations high up and out of reach. This can be towards the top of the tree or simply on a higher surface where they cannot be accessed. Last thing we want is one of your important and cherished possessions to be smashed and broken!

The one you’re probably most curious about – Christmas presents! 

When is a good time to lay all of your well thought out gifts under the tree? 

We all know that wrapped presents are high on a dogs list of things to tear apart – much like us humans – so it may be best to leave it until Christmas eve or even the morning of Christmas day to place them in their patch under the tree. We don’t want any Christmas presents becoming early Christmas presents!

Avoid leaving gifts that are from others under your tree. A festive chocolate box is a likely amongst presents from friends or a relative – one that your dog can sniff out from a mile away and one that could be dangerous for him/her to get into. Keep any unknown gifts well and truly out of the way. Click this link for a list of delicious Christmas dog treat recipes that we compiled. They are fun to make and completely safe for your best friend.

You can of course simply train your dog to listen to your commands. Using training cues, you can ensure your dog knows what to stay away from for their own safety. This doesn’t just apply to Christmas – it’s important that your dog listens to commands every other day of the year too!

To avoid any unwanted mess whilst you’re out of the house, ensure your dog cannot access the room that you have placed the Christmas tree in when left alone.

Now you’re clued up with our tip tops on how to dog proof your Christmas tree, Christmas with the whole family has no reason to not be a blast! If your dog doesn’t seem keen on any decorations at all, explore other options. There have been many successful wall stickers or mini tree alternatives that can be placed higher up so you can still be a part of the festive season.

If you have any tips to add, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re easy to contact via Facebook messenger – Petz Park.

Our inbox is always open for some festive cheer!