The Weekly High Five 🐾

One Quick Win 🙏 One Video to Watch 👀 One Post I Loved

Hey Reader,
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Let's be real. Thanksgiving is three weeks away and if you wait until the day before to think about how your dog's going to handle a house full of guests, you're already behind.

Here's the thing. Whatever your dog does on a random Tuesday when someone comes over? They're going to do that on Thanksgiving. But way worse. With more people. And turkey on the table.

So if your dog jumps now, they'll jump then. If they steal food now, they'll definitely steal it then. If they get overwhelmed by two visitors, imagine what happens with fifteen.

The good news? You have three weeks to set them up for success. And I'm going to show you exactly how.

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One Quick Win 🙏

This week's Quick Win focuses on "The Thanksgiving Doorbell Drill":

1. Have someone ring your doorbell or knock while you practice having your dog go to their designated spot (bed, mat, crate).
2. The moment the doorbell rings, guide them to their spot and reward them for staying there.
3. Answer the door, greet your helper, then release your dog to say hello only if they stayed calm.
4. If they break from their spot before you release them, start over. No greeting until they get it right.
5. Practice this 5 times per day for the next three weeks with different people at different times.

By Thanksgiving, your dog will automatically go to their spot when the doorbell rings instead of losing their mind at the door. You need the repetition now so it's automatic later. Trust me on this.

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One Video To Watch 👀

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Think you can wing Thanksgiving with your dog? In this week's essential video, I walk you through everything you need to prepare your dog for the holiday chaos, and why waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster.

Learn why creating a safe space isn't optional for overwhelmed dogs, discover the one exercise tip that makes the biggest difference, and find out which common Thanksgiving foods are actually toxic to dogs.
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I'm covering proper greetings, managing meal times, keeping garbage secure, and how to handle family members who want to sneak treats to your pup. Start now, thank yourself later.

One Social Post I Loved 🧡

This week's brilliant post shows 4 simple enrichment activities to tire your dog out before hosting Thanksgiving or any gathering!
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The banana wobble bowl, two towels with treats rolled and knotted, a frozen hollowed cucumber with spread inside, and a homemade lick mat.
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I love this because a tired dog is a good dog, especially when guests arrive. These activities provide mental stimulation that exhausts dogs just as much as physical exercise.
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Prep a few of these the morning of Thanksgiving, use them right before guests arrive, and watch your dog be way calmer during the chaos. Mental work matters.

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Thanksgiving prep isn't just about the turkey and the table settings. Your dog needs preparation too, and three weeks is the perfect amount of time to build new habits that will make the actual day so much easier.
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Practice now. Be consistent. Set your dog up to succeed instead of hoping they'll magically behave when the pressure's on.
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Questions about Thanksgiving prep or managing guests with your dog? Hit reply. I love helping families get ahead of holiday stress instead of scrambling at the last minute.
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You got this!

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Pam,
CPDT-KA
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PS. Need personalized help preparing your dog for Thanksgiving or holiday gatherings? Let's work together, virtually or in person! >>>> Click here to book your Free Call with Me​
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