Holiday Gifts and Treats
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by Judy - Online Dog Coach
We are approaching the holiday season and it is always a fun challenge to find the right gift for our canine buddies. We also need to make these gifts appealing for the human counterparts. Select gifts that are appropriate for each dog. Watch Holiday Gifts for Canine Friends for more ideas.
Toys
Hard rubber toys are super strong, durable and fun. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some toys have secret compartments for a treat to hide in, always giving your dog a mental challenge. There are toys designed to be interactive between you and your dog, such as tug toys or fetch toys like Frisbees and balls. Never give your dog an old sock or shoe as a toy, unless you want him to think all socks and shoes are fair game. Let`s not set your dog up for failure and trouble.
Do not choose a small ball for a large dog, this could pose a choking hazard. A big aggressive chewer might shred a soft fuzzy toy in minutes, leaving you with stuffing material all over the house. 
Or, the worst case scenario, the fluffy stuffing could go down the throat, causing obstructions and other digestive problems. Little dogs have had problems with some dental chew treats. The dog might bite off too much material which does not digest well, possibly lodging in the digestive tract and causing severe problems. Consult your veterinarian for suggestions for your family pet.
Treats
Treats always make a good gift. Just be sure you are not choosing treats that have a high fat content. Just like us, dogs can pack on a few pounds during the holiday season. There is a wide variety of healthy treats available, and if you really want to do something special, you can get busy in the kitchen. There are many good and simple recipes available.
The holiday season is an excellent time to sort through all your dogs old toys, discarding the ones that are falling apart and becoming unsafe. Preparing a holiday gift basket for your furry friends can be a fun project. Add a few carefully selected toys and treats, a couple of recipes, and a bow to create a special gift for your furry friend.
Or you can purchase our Online Dog Coach canvas tote bag and place the gifts inside. The human counterpart can use the bag over and over during the rest of the year.
Vegetarian Dog Treats
Watch Holiday Gifts for Canine Friends to see how it’s done!
3 c minced parsley – you can use a small processor
1/4 c minced carrot – you can use a small processor
2 T parmesan cheese
2 T minced garlic
2 T olive oil
1/4 c bran, like cereal, bread crumbs, grits, whatever
a little salt and pepper
3 c whole wheat flour, hold out the 1/2 cup for the board
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup water
All measurements are approximate.
Measure all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Continue mixing with your hands. Separate into two balls. Roll out to 1/4” thick. Use a pizza wheel to cut into 1” squares. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet. They can touch since don’t spread. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Turn off the oven and leave the cookies in the oven for several hours to let them crisp.
