Christmas is such a fun time of year. My humans are really generous and I often get extra snacks, extra goodies, and new gifts. Also, Christmas is a time when food abounds. As you know, when food is being prepped, there are plenty of opportunities for a smart pup to sneak a few extra treats in.
Here's my personal favorite strategy:
1) Location is key! Begin by placing yourself in the kitchen near enough to the humans preparing the food, but far enough away that they don't think you're up to something. I think the floor under the table is ideal for my kitchen space, that or the couch next to the counter. The couch is trickier because you need to really lie low and be unnoticed.
2) Distinguish smells. I know - every dog smells everything and everything smells good! But the trick is, wait for the things that you know will drop to the floor or things your human is more likely to share with you when you give "the eyes" (see step 3). When you smell veggies, stand up, your human is about to chop and chopping means spilling and spilling means treats. When you smell raw meat, wait. The smell will drive you crazy, but humans don't often share this meat and it seldom accidentally falls to the floor. Cheese? Come running and make "the eyes"
3) "The eyes". They don't call 'em puppy dog eyes for nothing, folks. Use what you have and what you have is adorable. I personally like to combine "the eyes" with "good girl". Here's an example. Brenda opened up a nice bag of cheddar and she's about to shred it. I run to her feet and sit up straight like a good girl. I don't beg or make a sound, but I look at her with "the eyes" and I wait. I know she can only resist for a minute at least and soon a piece of cheese is waiting for me - no stealing necessary.
4) When desperate, jump on the counter, steal and run. You may not get to savor your food, you may be punished and have what you don't swallow pried from your mouth, but sometimes this is worth it, especially when steps 1-3 don't work.
And finally some tips for what not to eat this season. Many people and pups suffer for their excessive indulgences and boy have I. The top things I wish I hadn't eaten: wrapping paper (only because of the punishment), a post-office box that contained gifts (I left the gifts alone - what was Brenda's problem?), and most of all a glass ornament. That last one was a doosey. I was not only in trouble, but the glass didn't feel great going in or out.
Merry Christmas, readers. May your stocking be filled with squeaky toys and smelly treats and may your new year include lots of happy chewing.
