At Thanksgiving, a little bit of people food for Fluffy should be no problem, but use good judgement, and if you're going to give her a little something extra, make it just a tidbit, not a meal. Some Thanksgiving fare is definitely a no-no, however. Even though turkey is a tad on the oily side, a little bit is okay, but the skin is bad news because it's fatty and in a worst-case scenario can bring on pancreatitis. Pumpkin on the other hand (in moderation) is actually good for your dog. Turkey bones are very dangerous, so keep those away from Fluffy, and discard that carcass discreetly (as in outside), because even the most well behaved dog can turn into a trash thief in the face of an alluring temptation. Additionally, no macadamia nuts, raisins or grapes. A little dressing is probably alright mixed into her food, but the seasoning 'sage,' commonly found in dressing, can cause stomach upset in some dogs. Keep bread dough away from Fluffy too, since it contains yeast, and yeast can cause tummy and gastrointestinal problems. 

Be aware of your dog's physical proximity to the front door. Guests coming and going provides a great opportunity for her to take flight, and looking for an escaped dog on Thanksgiving is no fun. Just in case, make sure she has her I.D.

Dogs understand when the leaders eat, subordinates stay away from the food. Make sure she stays away from the Thanksgiving feast when your family sits down. Maybe in another room altogether. Advise your guests not to feed her either. Finally, try to keep your dog's overall routine basically the same. It probably makes sense to take her for a nice walk before your guests arrive, as well. This will help to settle her mind around the added activity.

A native of Louisiana, SRQ Daily Columnist Gregg Flowers owns Dog's Best Friend Dog Training Services here in Sarasota, where he "teaches dogs and trains people." Gregg became fascinated by our relationship with dogs as a boy in the '60s, and by 1985 had developed his own unique style of working with dogs and their humans

Dog's Best Friend