Should I skip the Christmas Tree this year?

[Peter.]

Hey all, I have a 13 week old GSD and I'm wondering if I should skip the Christmas Tree this year? He is generally well behaved, though at times is hard to distract from things he shouldn't chew. My wife is home with him during the day with my 3 year old son, which is a challenge all its own. I'm thinking adding a Christmas Tree would be too temping, and he'd drive her crazy trying to get into it.

If i were home during the day to help out, I don't think it would be a problem.

Thoughts? What have your experiences been with a tree and a puppy?

The tree is a fake by the way.

[Kyleigh]

I've only had a tree once with animals in the house and it was a disaster. I currently have two parrots, a cat and my Kyleigh ... a tree? NOPE, not gonna happen!!!

And you have a male ... forget eating it ... will he see it as his indoor bathroom LMAO!!!

Lots of people on here have trees and dogs / puppies and have had no problems.

I think a lot of it is how you are going to approach it, and how you are going to stop him if he's super interested!

Every dog is different! Some won't care, other's will want to destroy it!

[pyratemom]

I've always had live trees with all my pets. The cats seem to like to sleep under the tree and when kittens try to climb it. They all learned eventually they couldn't climb it. As for puppies, I only let a pup have access to the room with the tree when I'm in the room. After they have become adults I've had no problems with male or female dogs. I do make it a practice not to put any edible presents under the tree prior to Christmas morning though to avoid any smelling temptations.

[Lmilr]

We actually have never had a problem with Jager against a tree. That first year we just worked at making sure he understood that the tree was off limits, and if we couldn't keep an eye on him then he was in his crate or another room away from the tree. Now he seems to understand that trees in the house are not his and he genenrally doesn't pay any attention to them.

Now my cat...she's another story!!!

[robk]

The only problem we have ever had was wagging tails that send ornaments flying!

[Peter.]

Thanks for the comments.. this leads me to another question..

Would it be better, easier, to teach him the tree is off limits NOW as a pup.. or a year or two from now when he's older and not as interested in chewing everything?

[Kyleigh]

IMHO it depends on your pup. You can certainly teach him now. I always beleive in training a dog from the second it walks into your house ... these are the rules, boundaries, etc. You just might not be overly successful because of his age! He's a baby ... LOL ... and it might be a constant battle.

Kyleigh is freaking smart. I had sit, stay, wait, heel, come, down, leave it, drop it, on and off down pat by 6 months. The ONLY thing I couldn't get to work ... toilet paper. She was OBSESSED with TP until she was about a year old ... and then for some reason, that switch went off and she no longer card.

It might be a test of will power between you and the pup, or he might not care at all!

[kiya]

Originally Posted by Peter.

Thanks for the comments.. this leads me to another question..

Would it be better, easier, to teach him the tree is off limits NOW as a pup.. or a year or two from now when he's older and not as interested in chewing everything?

Absolutely! I have always had animals & Christmas trees, cats are definately the worst for playing with ornaments. Wagging tails knock lower ornaments off leaving those open for chewing but I never had a pup/dog try to chew the tree. I usually don't put anything very low. Usually always found someone curled up sleeping under the tree.
These days we have a small fiberoptic tree in the window. This picture is from last year with our newest addition, Mr Magoo aka Goo.
Opps picture didn't come thru

[Wolfiesmom]

I have always had a tree in the house with the animals. I have a live tree and never had a problem, not even with my males.

[Kyleigh]

There you go ... you're getting lots of positive answers!!!!!