Holiday Tips for Supervising Labradors Around the Tree

Do you have your tree up? We do, and the Labs seem to test us by checking out the new smells. Labradors and Christmas trees often create a delightful pairing during the holiday season. They are known for their playful and curious nature, which can lead to both charming photo moments and challenges when a tree is involved.

Dogs are naturally drawn to the bright lights and ornaments, which can be tempting to investigate or even play with. The bottom part of our tree is nothing but the tree itself. I learned this years after many ornaments were turned to rubble.

The tree’s water reservoir can be a hazard and some may not realize that the water used to keep a real tree fresh can be harmful if ingested. Some tree preservatives can contain substances that are toxic to dogs. To avoid this, cover the water bowl or consider using a tree stand with a protective shield.

Training our Labs to respect the tree area enhances our holiday experience. Basic commands like “leave it” or “stay” are helpful to deter them from getting too close to the decorations or tree. This is a great time to provide plenty of engaging toys and activities to distract the big kids from the tempting sight of the tree. It’s also helpful when multiple Labs are gathered in the living room!

Despite the potential challenges, we do enjoy sharing the Christmas season with our Labs. Supervision is key to a safe and happy holiday for everyone.

As we bid farewell to our #LittlePeanuts we had to have a Christmas photo moment with each of them!