Can Fearful Fido Be Festive?

Can Fearful Fido Be Festive?

Written by Amanda Rietheimer, CDBC, CPDT-KA

The upcoming holidays bring new feelings for many families as we reconnect with our loved ones. While it can be exciting to get together in large groups with our family and friends, this often tends to be very scary for our furry four-legged friends. If Fido is nervous about any variation in his environment, adding visitors or other dogs can pose a challenge to future gatherings.

Here are a few tips to help Fido be festive, too:

  • Find enrichment toys that Fido likes to engage with when only your immediate family is present.
  • Start now, well before the holidays. Start with one guest, working your way up to multiple guests in the house.
  • Put Fido up in a room/crate before a guest arrives at the house.
  • Set up Fido’s enrichment toy, such as a snuffle mat, near his dog bed or mat about 15 to 20 feet from the guest.
  • Have the guest sit down before bringing Fido out on a leash.
  • Make sure Fido is calm when you enter the room and treat him, keeping your distance from the guest.
  • If Fido is barking, growling, lunging, or showing signs of stress do not proceed.
  • Have the guest toss treats towards Fido.
  • Check in with Fido often, if he is showing signs of stress such as growling, snapping, barking, shaking, or pulling away, end the session and put Fido back in his crate or other room and contact a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant or veterinarian for help.
  • If Fido is eating treats tossed to him, walk him on the leash to his bed and have him engage in his snuffle mat.
  • When Fido looks at you or your guest and is calm, toss treats to him. It is important that we are tossing treats and never hand-feeding him, as we want him to be comfortable staying at a distance from our guest.
  • For big gatherings, install gates for safe areas for Fido to relax. Our guests can then move around comfortably and not worry about where Fido is.
  • Advise all guests that Fido likes to be a part of the party from a distance. Being pet by guests is not enjoyable for Fido. If guests cannot listen, then put Fido back in his crate/room, where he can be safe and not escalate in fear. Give Fido an enrichment toy to enjoy while he is in his crate.
  • Have buckets full of treats that can be tossed to Fido over the gate to him.
Chillin’ for Canines: A Human Wellness Day at Ain’t Life Cool Benefiting Dog-Harmony

Chillin’ for Canines: A Human Wellness Day at Ain’t Life Cool Benefiting Dog-Harmony

Ain’t Life Cool, a cryotherapy and wellness center, is hosting its second Chillin’ for Canines benefiting Dog-Harmony on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 8955 US-98, Suite 104 in Miramar Beach, FL.

100% of the proceeds from services booked at the center that day will be donated to Dog-Harmony, a 501(c)3 dedicated to enriching the lives of humans and their canine companions through community education and therapy dog programs.

Ain’t Life Cool offers holistic therapies on a walk-in basis, including cryotherapy utilizing the most advanced technology available, red light therapy, compression therapy, and Himalayan salt aromatherapy. These targeted or whole-body therapies can help reduce inflammation and swelling, promote healing, and diminish pain.

To participate in Chillin’ for Canines and support Dog-Harmony, visit Ain’t Life Cool in Miramar Beach on December 7. There, you can select from a variety of therapies available to the public on a walk-in basis to reduce pain, heal, and promote rejuvenation. Participants can also enjoy complimentary refreshments in between services.

Visit www.aintlifecool.com to learn more about its therapeutic services!

Family Pawtraits with Santa

Family Pawtraits with Santa

Your photo is ready! Download it from Rescue Animal Photography at

https://www.rescueanimalphotography.org/pawtraits-with-santa

Look! Look, everyone! It’s Santa! Oh my gosh, it’s Santa!!!

Register today for a fun time with your pup. Your registration per dog will get you a family pawtrait with Santa – yes, the Big Guy in Red! Your ticket includes a digital holiday photo and 1 ticket for the chance drawing of a dog swag bag.

It will be a mirthful outting for eveyone with refreshments, a fun doggie social, and Dog-Harmony is selling hand painted ornaments to make your holidays even more special. Photos are taken by Rescue Animal Photography!
Join us at Salty Paws Boutique in the Destin Commons on Nov. 30th from 11am – 2pm!

We’re still taking walk-ins!

Use the form below to purchase your one of a kind ornament or a hand-crafted card.

Hand painted Ornaments to Support Dog-Harmony

We have commissioned local artisans to hand paint ornaments to celebrate the holidays and support Dog-Harmony! You may add as many ornaments as you would like to your photo ticket purchase using the form above.

The ornaments will be ready for you to select and pick up at the Pawtraits With Santa event on November 30th at Salty Paws Boutique in the Destin Commons.

Event Sponsors

Salty Paws logo
Rescue Animal Photography logo

Creative Halloween Costume Ideas for Pet and Parent

Creative Halloween Costume Ideas for Pet and Parent

Written by Alexa Blakely

Halloween is right around the corner, and one of the most exciting parts of the holiday is deciding on your costume. But, this year, maybe you should also consider: What will your dog dress up as for Halloween?

Dressing up your furry friend could be an adorable addition to your plans for the holiday, but if you’re not sure which costume would suit your dog the best, don’t worry! We’ve got a full list of all the best Halloween costume ideas for your dog right here.

Halloween Classics

Sticking to classic Halloween characters is a great and easy way to prepare your dog for the holiday. Try a witch hat on your pup, or maybe being a jack-o’-lantern would suit them better. And you can never go wrong with a pair of bat wings!

Pop Culture Icons

Have you ever thought that your dog would look adorable dressed as one of your favorite fictional characters? Have them try on the suit of your favorite superhero, or don a ballgown and become a Disney princess.

Animal Kingdom

Maybe your dog will transform into a different animal entirely this Halloween season. Create or purchase a mane to turn your best-domesticated friend into a ferocious lion, or add a pair of wings so they can be a beautiful butterfly.

Matching Sets

Still unsure what you want to be for Halloween? Get you and your dog matching outfits! There are plenty of dynamic duos perfect for personification by you and your dog. Get lost somewhere over the rainbow as Dorothy and Toto, or fight crime as Batman and Robin.

And if you’re unsure where to find costumes for your dog, don’t worry! Finding the perfect pet costume is becoming easier every year as many companies are catering to our furry friends to help them (and you) get ready to celebrate this spooky time of year.

If buying a costume isn’t your style, don’t be afraid to make your own. Visit thrift stores or raid your closet for old clothing and accessories for materials to make the perfect DIY costume for your pup.

No matter what costume you choose, your dog is sure to be spookily adorable and exude Halloween spirit!

*Read our article about keeping Fido safe during the Halloween season here.

Emerald Coast Weekly with Nancy Bown, Ted Corcoran and Scott Mallory

Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA and founder of Dog-Harmony, is a featured guest on the Emerald Coast Weekly show hosted by Ted Corcoran, President of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

This episode, recorded on June 19, 2024, is sponsored by JVC Broadcasting and includes co-host Scott Mallory, Media Consultant/Afternoon Host on Highway 98 Country.

Bown introduces Dog-Harmony’s mission and programs and provides current and prospective dog owners with training and adoption advice.