(PRWEB) Pet Sitters International, the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing 7,900 pet-sitting businesses, offers five tips that will help well-intended dog owners avoid some of the most common mistakes dog parents make during the holidays.

Incorporating these simple dog-friendly strategies into your plans will help ensure a joyous holiday for dogs and people alike:

Mistake #1: Waiting Until the Last Minute to Book a Dog Sitter

Whether it is holiday travel, a day at grandma’s or simply an extended shopping trip—something will inevitably keep you away from your home and dogs during the holidays. For dog owners with holiday plans, time is running out to book a professional pet sitter. Professional pet sitters often begin booking for the holidays two to three months in advance. Waiting until the last minute to try to find a pet sitter may result in missed events with family and friends or having to rely on someone that may not be the best provider for your dog.

PSI offers its free Pet Sitter Locator to dog owners wanting to find the best care for their dogs during the holiday season. The ZIP code-driven search tool offers enhanced features, enabling dog owners to conduct a criteria-based search in less than one minute. Discriminating dog owners can search PSI’s database of nearly 8,000 independent professional pet-sitting businesses for custom-tailored services ranging from daily dog walks to caring for dogs with special needs. Users can refine their searches even further by specifying credentials such as bonding, liability insurance and pet first-aid training. PSI also offers a one of a kind Pet Sitter Interview Checklist to help dog owners evaluate their dog’s caregiver.

Mistake #2: Assuming Everyone Loves Your Dog As Much As You Do

Resist the temptation to bring Fido or Fluffy with you to family gatherings and other social functions. Even if your dog is a “perfect angel,” for persons with allergies, animal-related phobias or small children, your dog’s presence may be as appreciated as a re-gifted fruitcake.

For dogs, the combination of strange surroundings, rambunctious children and an over-stimulated palate is a recipe for disaster. During the holidays, dogs can require more attention than usual. At holiday functions, children are often the ones wanting to provide it. Unsolicited attention or an innocent attempt to give a treat to a dog can result in bites, scratches or even a trip to the emergency room.

According to PSI President and Pet Sitting For Profit author Patti Moran, dogs are happier and experience less stress when they remain at home. “Hiring a professional pet sitter to care for your animal companion is one of the best gifts you can give your pet this holiday season,” states Moran. “A professional pet sitter alleviates the dilemma of inconveniencing family and friends and allows your pet to stay in its normal environment and routine.”

For dog owners, the gift comes from knowing their fur children are receiving quality care from someone who understands the needs of their dogs.

Mistake #3: Decorating Without Considering Your Dogs

Dog owners should always decorate with their dogs in mind—securing, limiting or even removing items that pose the greatest risks. Candles, fragile or small ornaments, tinsel, and a seemingly endless list of common holiday items make this time of year one of the most dangerous for dogs.

Plants

Forego traditional floral decorations such as poinsettia, Christmas rose, holly, hibiscus and the berries of mistletoe. These plants are toxic to pets. For a list of other toxic plants, dog owners are encouraged to review the list found at ASPCA.org

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees present a hazard to dogs because the water can be poisonous if ingested. Dog owners should always cover the base of the tree so dogs cannot access the water. It is also important to secure the tree to a wall to prevent toppling. Place ornaments on the upper two-thirds of the tree or out of your dog’s normal line of sight to reduce unwanted interaction with wires, hooks and ornaments.

Decorations

Dogs should never be left alone in a decorated room. Small ornaments and tinsel should be kept out of “paw’s reach” to avoid choking or internal injury. Because dogs have a penchant for chewing, items such as Christmas lights and other wire-based electrical decorations should be used sparingly. Candles should only be used when dogs are secured or are closely being monitored. When away from your home, secure your dogs away from these items. As an added precaution, unplug lights and motorized decorations.

Mistake #4: Treating Dogs to People Food

With the holidays comes the consumption of an inordinate amount of fatty, salty, sugary and calorically dense foods. Allowing dogs to indulge in these same holiday excesses is not only bad for their health; it can lead to digestion problems and numerous other health issues.

As a rule of thumb, never feed people food to dogs—especially treats. Common holiday foods like chocolate, raisins and macadamia nuts can cause serious physical and internal harm to a pet. Stray wrappers from candies can also be a problem since there is a potential for choking and/or intestinal blockage, if ingested.

Since removing the plethora of temptations is largely impractical, PSI suggests securing your dog in a “safe room” away from guests and potential hazards. After the festivities, be sure to properly discard all food scraps and trash before letting your dog back into the other areas of your home.

Mistake #5: Forgetting to Tell Santa About Your Dog

He’s made his list. He’s checked it twice. Nevertheless, forgetting to gift your dog is naughty…not nice. Asking Santa to drop off something special for your dog is not only thoughtful, but practical as well. Giving gifts to your dog reinforces the idea that they too are an important part of the family. What’s more, giving your dog the right gift—a new chew toy for example—will help lessen your dog’s interest in Billy’s baseball cards and Susie’s new doll.

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