Activities For Dogs On Thanksgiving

Tossing the football around is an outdoor activity that you can participate in, in any weather conditions. Sunny, warm days are preferable, but a little bit of rain or snow does not stop many families from this activity. You want to check the weather and prepare for the after activity clean up. If it is raining or looks like rain or snow, prepare with towels, fresh shirts and socks in the mudroom or close to the front dog. This includes reserving towels for your dog, who will most likely be the muddiest of family members.

Being stuck all day indoors is boring for most dogs and if you're planning to toss the football around outside, get your dog riled up for fun too. It's best to engage with your dog once everyone starts moving towards the door and is ready to start the fun. Use exciting language and tones and show your dog the football. Chances are, your dog already knows this game and is ready to chase whoever has the ball and perhaps make a tackle or two.

Once outside, try to encourage your family members to engage with your dog. This will make the game more fun for all family members, including the dog. Your dog will naturally want to chase the person running, who most likely has the football. Most dogs will find the liveliness of the game exhilarating, and they will burn off some of their energy as well as engage their primal chase needs; thereby giving your dog a deep sense of satisfaction as well as bonding. When you’re done with your playtime, reward your dog with a treat or two and tell them how good they are.

Your house may be filled with several family members who are visiting or children who delight in giving their table food to the dog. Be sure to talk to everyone about feeding the family dog table scraps or other non-canine food. Not everyone knows that chocolate, onions, alcohol, and other food items may be poisonous to the dog so reassure them that Fido will have their share of turkey and other goodies on this special family day but that only mom, dad, or another designated family member will prepare the dog’s dish.

The smells and action in the kitchen are enough to drive any dog to beg with their soulful puppy-dog eyes. You do not want to scold the family dog for following their nose into the kitchen. Instead, try to keep them engaged in other parts of the house and offer them bits of special dog kibble or small treats throughout the day to give them a sense of food conquest. Most dogs will not turn down a treat just because it is not the roasting turkey they are drawn to in the kitchen.

As dinner time get close and you are carving the turkey, prepare a small and healthy bowl of table food for your dog. You do not want to overdo it with the people food, especially if your dog is not used to table foods. A moderate bowl served over your dog’s kibble will likely be perfect for your pooch. Focus on dog safe food, such as turkey breast with no fat or bones, green beans, and potatoes. You want to avoid fatty foods, like the turkey skin. The liver and other giblets of the turkey are alright to give your dog in small quantities, if you’re not planning on using these for the gravy. You want to avoid anything made with onions or that is high in sugars or carbohydrates; so turkey stuffing is not a good choice for your dog’s meal. Once you have your dog’s meal prepared, let them indulge but don’t let them have seconds.

NBC has a full day of television entertainment lined up for Thanksgiving Day. Start by tuning into the Macy's Day Parade. Come and go from the living room, or where ever you keep the television but always engage your dog with friendly language. If you decide to stop a while and watch the famous Snoopy float go by, invite your dog to sit in your lap or by your side.

Many people come and go during the Macy's Day Parade, and sometimes, a vigilant watcher will call out when a favorite float makes an appearance or when Santa Clause floats down Central Park West. However, the National Dog Show promptly follows the Macy's Day Parade, and this is a perfect opportunity to stop what you're doing and enjoy the canine competition with your doggo. You may have a favorite class you want to see or enjoy the activities the dogs engage in. Either way, talk to your dog and get them excited about the other dogs on television. This is a perfect opportunity to strengthen your bond with your dog because you are in the canine zone, watching the National Dog Show.

Watching television, dogs or not, is more fun for you than your dog. During television time, you have engaged your dog's attention and excited them with your words. Now it's time to burn off some of that energy. Thanksgiving Day in some parts of the country is cold so you may have to bundle up if you're going outside. If you are staying inside, choose a playtime activity that is not too disruptive but will help your dog burn off some of that excitement, like patty-cake or other "give-paw" games.