Hosting Thanksgiving with Your Pit Bull: how to include your pit bull while Keeping Guests Comfortable
While the historical origin of Thanksgiving is deeply disturbing and problematic, Thanksgiving can be a time for family, friends, and gratitude. More than likely you consider your dog a part of the family and want to include them in your Thanksgiving traditions and practices. The challenge is that not everyone understands or feels comfortable around pit bulls. Whether due to breed misconceptions, personal fears, unfamiliarity with dogs in general, or a tendency to show love by feeding potentially harmful food, hosting a Thanksgiving gathering with a pit bull and any dog can present unique challenges and in some instances, lead to frustration or miscommunications.
As a pit bull owner and expert, I’ve learned that a little preparation goes a long way in creating a safe, welcoming environment for both your guests and your pup. Here’s how to pull off a stress-free Thanksgiving where everyone can enjoy themselves—including your pit bull.
1. Know Your Guests’ Feelings About Dogs (Especially Pit Bulls)
Start by considering who’s coming to your gathering. Start by asking your potential guests their experience and comfort with dogs, particularly pit bulls to manage expectations early. It’s good to know if someone has concerns or expectations to spend time with your pit bull so that you can brief them on how you manage your dog and educate them about your dog’s behavior and temperament beforehand.
2. Create a Safe, Quiet Space for Your Pit Bull
Even if your dog is friendly and social, it’s always good for your pit bull to create boundaries where your dog has their own space to retreat to and your guests can create their own space as well.
Set up a "chill zone": Use a crate, bed, or blanket in a quiet room where your dog can relax.
Keep it stocked: Include toys, a long-lasting chew, or a puzzle feeder to keep them busy.
Give breaks: Rotate your dog’s time between interacting with guests and relaxing in their safe space.
3. Lay Down Ground Rules for Guests
Clear communication is key to ensuring your pit bull and your guests coexist happily.
Teach dog etiquette: Let guests know not to disturb your pit bull while they’re eating, resting, or in their quiet zone.
No feeding scraps: Thanksgiving food can be dangerous for dogs, and many people don’t know which foods are safe for dogs, so make sure guests know to avoid slipping your pup anything from the table.
Monitor interactions: Always supervise kids and guests unfamiliar with pit bulls to prevent accidental stress or boundary-crossing.
4. Prep Your Pit Bull for Success
A little pre-party preparation can set the tone for a smooth Thanksgiving.
Burn off energy: Take your pit bull for a long walk or play a game of fetch before guests arrive. A tired dog is a happy dog!
Brush up on training: Reinforce commands like "place," "stay," and "leave it" to maintain communication during the festivities. Considering informing your guests that they also can communicate with your dog using her commands. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve practiced with your dog, you’ll need to brush up for communication to be effective.
Consider calming aids: If your pit bull gets anxious or over-excited, try natural calming treats, a ThunderShirt, or pheromone sprays to help them relax.
5. Watch Out for Thanksgiving Food Hazards
Many Thanksgiving staples can be toxic for dogs, including turkey bones, stuffing, chocolate, and desserts containing xylitol.
Keep your dog out of the kitchen: A best practice to avoid emergencies is to create a boundary where your dog refrains from entering the kitchen to lessen the likelihood of your dog accidentally getting toxic food.
Train your dog not to counter-surf: Your dog’s behavior will be tested by their instincts to find the food they’ve been smelling so misbehavior is likely. Train your dog not to counter-surf and reinforce the training before your gathering.
Offer safe treats: Have some dog-friendly goodies on hand to keep your pit bull feeling included. Remember they don’t know that it’s a holiday and they’ll be happy with anything you give them.
Crate your dog until after cleanup: A best practice is to keep your dog safely confined until all of the food is out of the way to avoid unintentional ingestion and medical emergencies.
6. Supervise Your Pit Bull and Children
Kids and pit bulls can be the best of friends, but it’s important to supervise their interactions.
Teach respectful behavior: Remind kids to be gentle, avoid hugging, and not to climb on your dog.
Recognize stress signals: Watch for signs that your pit bull needs a break, like yawning, lip licking, or turning away.
Provide structured fun: Suggest games like fetch or letting kids help with simple commands to keep interactions positive.
7. Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Even with the best planning, things don’t always go as expected.
Have a plan: Keep your vet’s contact information and the nearest emergency clinic on hand.
Pack the essentials: Stock up on materials like pumpkin, probiotics, and any medications that could soothe your dog if they weren’t feeling well. Also remember to keep cleanup materials handy.
8. Include Your Dog in Your Traditions
Your pit bull is part of your family, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to show your gratitude for their unconditional love.
Include them in the fun: Whether it’s a photo op, a special dog-friendly treat, or a few minutes of family time, let your pit bull know they’re an important part of the celebration.
Final Thoughts
Hosting Thanksgiving with a pit bull should be fun, not stressful! By planning ahead, setting clear boundaries, and considering both your dog’s needs and your guests’ comfort, you can create a memorable holiday and help integrate your pet in with your friends and family.
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