Don’t Let your Dog Handle the Grilling

Tools used in the act of grilling out are almost all sharp and metal. Consider that spatula’s, grill forks, tongs, meat thermometers, even the grill grates, all come with the flavor of whatever is cooking once the cooking process has started. If your dog happens upon those (or steals them… we’re not saying your dog is bad or a felon, but they are little kleptomaniacs over food), they can lick or chew the good smelling utensils and cut, swallow, burn, or otherwise hurt themselves. We would advise a 2 to 4 foot “NO ZONE” which should be pet and kids free. In addition, keep your tools in a bucket, container, or chest that is out of reach and not capable of being opened by paws, noses, teeth and small hands.

Don’t Let your Dog Get Choked Up Over Dinner

Dog’s don’t think before they eat… and swallow. In fact, a dog on the run with a piece of hot meat is going to chew and swallow while they escape. Anything to keep “the law” from getting that meat treat away from them before they can enjoy and digest it. A dogs windpipe is only so wide and almost anything can obstruct it (that’s why kibble is so small, not the size of a rib, chicken leg, or t-bone steak). Your dog also has no idea what is good for them, only what smells good TO them.  An entire smoked chicken… your dog says, “yes please” to bones and all. Even chicken skin, cartilage, or a bone can lodge in your dogs throat. Splintered bones can also wreak havoc on a dogs stomach and digestive tract. Bones can be deadly in the wrong hands… or mouth. So be sure the bone disposal process at your home is well thought out and followed.

To take it a step further, it’s not just meat… dog’s love just about anything they can get their mouths on. Corn cobs, a whole carrot, watermelon rind, and other seemingly innocent foods, can turn into devices to choke your pooch.  Plastic, lidded, containers are your best friend in keeping your pets out of the food and on their best behavior. Having a “no zone” around the food serving area is also a great idea to assure pet safety. Nobody wants the fun day to be ruined by someone force to deliver the Heimlich Maneuver to your fur buddy.

The Smeller is actually NOT the Feller

Keep in mind that the grill stays hot for quite some time once the food has been taken off and made ready to serve. In addition, the smells stay WONDERFUL for your pet long after you’ve turned to walk away and place the platter at the service station. A dog standing up on hind legs, with front paws on the grill, is a recipe for several horrible dishes. Burnt Paws, Flaming Fur, Hot Hound, and Overcooked Puppers are NOT dishes you want to offer. Again, we suggest having that “NO ZONE” to keep the grill from being turned over, making the coals and grilling items “red hot projectiles” dumped on the ground, or anyone standing around… furry or flesh.  Even though it’s a pain logistically, having a cook area, a serve area, and eating areas are a great idea… along with the precautions of plastic lidded containers, some barrier around the grill, and creation of monitored “NO ZONE” areas for the food.

Train Your Guests in Doggie Etiquette

The biggest mistake most pet owners make is not having a communicated and understood list of “Rules for You and My Dog”.  The dog lives in the home, in fact they are likely treated as family (better than family, like Royalty), and guests are just that “GUESTS” who are visiting. People entering your home should understand and respect the dog’s routines, rules, and property.  If your dog is not allowed table scraps, that has to be an enforced rule. If your dog is allowed on the furniture, then don’t care what Uncle Bernie thinks about it. Make sure you have communicated to your guests that you have dogs that will interact with them… so if someone has issues with that idea, or allergies, or is a giant buzz kill over what a dog SHOULD be (in their opinion) they can clear steer of your outing. Dog’s rule, so follow the dogs rules.

This should include what the guests can and can’t feed the dog. You don’t have to be a dictator about it, but you do need to set the pace and offer the rules in a casual manner. Let them know about the “NO ZONES”, tell them about choking hazards, inform them that your dog is a furry Thespian and will beg for any scraps like the orphans in Oliver Twist (“Sir, may a have bit MORE”). Also assure they understand what will choke the dog, what foods are not good for the dog, and what they are allowed to sneak to the dog (which they all will sneak bites). Explain portion sizes, NO GO foods, the amount of snacking that is allowable before they should cut the snacking out completely.  Let them know that fatty and rich foods are likely to give your dog loose poops or diarrhea, and feeding your dog large amounts of it could (and will) put them on the poop cleanup detail. You need to know, assure, and be comfortable with what your dog is eating. Lastly, keep an eye on little ones… they are the #1 target for your dog to sneak snacks. Kids enjoy feeding dogs, dogs enjoy being fed, your dog can likely overpower a small child and steal their food (which can happen in a heartbeat). Be comfortable with the idea that, as hard as you try, your fur kids are going to overeat. Just try to set rule that assure its safe, controlled, and understood that some things are unacceptable.

Listen Old Mother Hubbard, Give your Poor Dog a Break

“And then the poor dog had none” is not the intended solution here. We’ve clarified no bones, controlled portions, know what your eating, know the stuff in the stuff your prepare, keep them safe by creating “NO ZONES”, use your plastic containers, and inform your guest who rules the home and what is allowable. Even with all that in place, you’re dog is gonna eat, we promise you. Through hook, crook, begging, and great theatrics, your dog is going to get food. And why wouldn’t they?  It’s just cruel to take all the fun and flavor out of a good grill out or BBQ for your pets. Know the bad foods list and assure they don’t get large portions of those item. Conversely, make it a point to share the good flavors and tastes with your best friend… you know they deserve it.

Remember that large crowds of people can be fun, but it can also be stressful for a dog. Strange and loud noises, different smelling people, the sense of strong emotions that groups bring, strange hands reaching for them, kids and grown ups in their space or face, it is all stressful and difficult for any dog. Keep and keen eye on your dog and look for signs of stress, acting out, being overly tired, people that they just don’t seem to jive with, and people that are just not into your dog. Watch for overheating, over eating, over stimulated, or over whelmed puppies and them to a safe and quiet place for a bit. Assure there is fresh water for them to refresh themselves. Know your dogs limitations and don’t let them get near those levels. A dog nipping someone, biting someone, jumping on old Aunt Alice and knocking her to the ground, will turn the mood sour in a moment.

Give your dog a break if they act out, correct them in your normal manner, sequester them if needed. Don’t yell at them, don’t scold them, and don’t physically punish them… and don’t EVER let anyone else do it. The first person who yells at or hits a dog will be the first person to leave and never come back.  The thing to remember is that, to the dog, this is all strange… maybe strange and wonderful… but strange. You need to control the dog in the environment, or separate them from it if it become too much. Just be the person your dog knows you are.