How to Keep the Dog out of Wrapped Gifts

Most dogs ignore the gifts under the Christmas tree. If your dog is getting into the gifts, here are some ways to handle this.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Think about what is in the gifts the dog is tearing into. Is he selectively ripping open the gifts or getting into all of them? Is there anything with food in it or something that smells vaguely food-like?

2. 
    

   Are you being away from home longer than usual? Maybe you are working late, going to holiday parties or out shopping. If the dog feels neglected or bored, it may turn to destructive behavior.

3. If the tree is in a room that you can close off while you are out, that may take care of the problem. If there is no door on the room, try a toddler-gate or some other way of blocking the entrance.

4. 
    

   If you can't shut off the tree area, then you can put the dog into a room where he's safe and can't get to the tree. Make sure he has water.

5. You can rewrap the gifts and put them in a high place that the dog can't reach. Sure they look great under the tree, but it's not great to come home to bits of Christmas wrapping paper strung all through the house.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't smack your dog when you get home and discover the torn packages. He won't understand that you're angry for something he did hours ago.
• Don't allow the behavior to go on, as the dog may ingest some of the packaging, ribbons, or package decorations. These could make him sick.

[heytoto]

on 3/21/2009 good tips for a frustrating situation!

[vallain]

on 1/11/2009 My cat loved to play with the ribbons on gifts. Usually they ended up all shredded.