It's better to leave the dog at home when visiting the Christmas market or shopping for gifts.
FOUR PAWS explains the dangers for dogs in the holiday hustle and bustle
Hamburg. The Christmas market season has started. Mulled wine and punch attract visitors to the pedestrian zones of German cities. Practical: Christmas presents can also be bought here. But what to do with the dog while you get presents or sip your mulled wine? FOUR PAWS recommends: It’s best to leave the animal at home!
Many people's eyes light up when they think of the beautifully decorated Christmas markets with all their lights and mulled wine stands. But for dogs, a visit to the densely packed Christmas market can quickly become a gauntlet. “Crowds of people, loud noises and accidental steps on paws and tails are more of a horror than Christmas anticipation for our animals, who have a keen sense of hearing and smell,” explains Judith Förster, qualified biologist and pet expert at FOUR PAWS.
Be considerate of the animal when shopping
The dog is exposed to stress in such an environment. And Christmas shopping is usually stressful too. Especially in the last few days before Christmas, the pedestrian zones are filled with people who have to get last-minute gifts before the holiday. “If dog owners feel rushed, then that usually worries the dog too. In addition to the risk of unintentional kicks in the hustle and bustle of shopping, the dog is also confronted with many unknown faces, shopping queues and new smells, which also causes unrest. “In the worst case, the dog is not allowed into the shops and has to stay outside in the wet and cold, where it freezes and could be stolen,” warns the pet expert.
Avoid crowded public transport
If you use public transport with your four-legged friend, you should avoid peak shopping times. A dog that is not familiar with such situations can quickly feel threatened in narrow buses etc. The best thing to do is to save your four-legged friend this excitement and plan your Christmas shopping without a dog.
Tips for dog owners
- Make sure your dog is trained to stay home alone from puppyhood.
- Get your dog used to crowds slowly. This makes him more relaxed when crowds of people cannot be avoided.
- If it is not possible to leave the dog at home, we recommend keeping him on a leash and having a muzzle ready. Many people tend to touch the animal without prior consultation with the owner, which can have dangerous consequences for both the person and the animal.
- Particularly important at Christmas markets: Train your dog not to eat anything from the ground, as foods such as chocolate in particular are poisonous to dogs.