Happy Holidays from Heritage Manor Labradoodles

🐾 Dear Owners,

Ah, Christmas...

That time of year when the house fills with sparkle, guests, and goodies. There’s wrapping paper to chase, shiny ornaments to admire (or accidentally knock over), and mysterious packages that definitely smell like treats. It’s all very magical—and very tempting.

But as your friendly, four-legged companion, I’m here with a gentle reminder: the holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but they can also be a little overwhelming (and occasionally dangerous) for dogs like me.

So in the spirit of joy, wagging tails, and safe celebrations, here’s my Doodle-Approved Guide to a Safe and Magical Christmas at Home—brought to you by the caring team at Heritage Manor Labradoodles.

Safe Trees & Tempting Ornaments: Look, But Don’t Lick

The Christmas tree is basically the indoor version of a giant, glowing toy to us. But behind the sparkle are some real safety risks for curious pups.

Safe Tree Tips:

Secure the base so your tree doesn’t tip if we accidentally bump it.
Avoid edible ornaments (like popcorn strings or salt dough)—they smell delicious but are dangerous.
Hang breakable glass ornaments up high, out of tail-wagging range.
Skip tinsel altogether—it’s shiny but can cause serious tummy trouble if swallowed.
Keep cords and lights tucked away so we don’t chew them. Battery-powered lights are a safer option around dogs!

🐾 HML Tip: Create a “safe zone” around the tree using a baby gate or decorative barrier—especially helpful with young puppies still learning boundaries.

Holiday Foods & Ingredients to Avoid (No Matter How Hard We Beg)

We get it—holiday meals are delicious. But what’s festive for you can be risky (even toxic) for us.

❌ Holiday No-Nos for Dogs:

Chocolate (especially dark chocolate and baking cocoa)
Raisins, grapes, currants (found in many baked goods)
Onions, garlic, chives (even in small amounts)
Alcohol (no eggnog for us, please!)
Macadamia nuts, nutmeg, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol
Cooked bones, turkey skin, and rich fatty foods (hello, pancreatitis!)

✅ Safer Treats in Moderation:

A few pieces of plain turkey
Steamed green beans or carrots
Small bites of plain sweet potato
A dog-safe holiday treat or chew

🐾 Heritage Manor Reminder: If guests are around, kindly ask them not to share scraps with the dog—no matter how cute we look. (And yes, we know we’re adorable.)

Managing Overstimulation & Visitors

With jingling bells, new smells, houseguests, and music playing, it’s easy for us pups to get overstimulated—even the most social of doodles can feel overwhelmed during the holidays.

🧘‍♂️ How to Keep Your Doodle Calm:

Create a quiet zone in a bedroom or cozy crate with a favorite toy or blanket.
Use calming tools like a white noise machine, Adaptil diffuser, or a lick mat for stress relief.
Watch for signs of stress: pacing, panting, hiding, or unusual barking.
Let us retreat when we need a break—especially helpful for young puppies or older dogs.

🐾 Pro tip: If you have lots of guests or little kids visiting, teach them how to say “hello” calmly. We love attention—but on our terms, please!

Keep Puppies on Routine Amid the Chaos

Puppies thrive on predictable routines—meals, potty breaks, playtime, and naps. But during the holidays, it’s easy to let structure slide.

If you have a young doodle in the house, try to:

Stick to their normal schedule as much as possible
Keep up with crate training and house manners
Give them a break from the excitement with quiet, solo time
Don’t forget daily mental stimulation (sniff walks, training games, treat puzzles)

🐾 HML Encouragement: Your consistency now lays the foundation for a confident, well-behaved adult dog. Even during the holidays, routine = security.

Doodle-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas

Looking for a few gift ideas that will actually get our tails wagging? Here are some HML-approved picks we love unwrapping:

Water-resistant puffer jacket – Stylish, warm, and pawfect for winter walks
Interactive puzzle toys – Keeps our clever doodle minds engaged
Long-lasting chews – Like yak milk sticks, frozen KONGs, or no-hide rolls
Orthopedic dog bed – For long winter naps after snow-day zoomies
Spa-style grooming gift set – Because we deserve a little pampering too!

🎁 Bonus idea: Wrap our gifts in tissue or newspaper and let us “unwrap” with supervision—it’s enrichment and fun in one!

Final Thoughts from Heritage Manor Labradoodles

The holidays are about love, warmth, and creating memories with the ones who matter most. And for us at Heritage Manor Labradoodles, that always includes our dogs.

So this season, wrap your pup in a cozy sweater, take a slow walk through the snow, and pause long enough to appreciate the joy they bring into your life—365 days a year.

🐾 From our Doodle Den to yours 🎁
Wishing you a safe, magical, and joy-filled Christmas season.
May your hearts be full, your homes warm,
and your doodle’s tail wag nonstop.

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A Doodle’s Guide to a Safe and Magical Christmas at Home