Liberty Dogs San Antonio

11/26/2025

𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐲'𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠⁣

Thanksgiving brings families together—and that includes the four-legged members, too. With a little planning, you can make the holiday safe and fun for your faithful companion.

𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞

Dogs are creatures of habit. Amid all the Thanksgiving hustle and bustle, keep your dog's routine as normal as possible. Feed them at the usual time, maintain their regular walks, and don't skip bathroom breaks. This consistency will help your pup feel secure when everything else seems chaotic.

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧⁣

Set up a peaceful retreat before the doorbell starts ringing. A quiet room with your dog's favorite bed, toys, and fresh water works perfectly. Or try covering their crate with a blanket to create a cozy den. When the festivities get overwhelming, they'll have somewhere to escape. Check on them now and then to see if they need a breather from all the excitement.

𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧—𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬⁣

Some dogs love being the center of attention; others prefer observing from the sidelines. Give your guests a heads-up about your dog's personality before they walk through the door. Make it crystal clear what treats are off-limits (yes, we're looking at you, Uncle Cecil). And if you've been practicing good manners (Sit To Say Please) with your pup, keep those rules in place—even on a holiday.

𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲⁣

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Before guests arrive, take your pup for a long walk or play session. Burn off that extra energy and you'll likely have a calmer companion during dinner. Puzzle toys and frozen Kongs (try stuffing them with peanut butter) can keep busy mouths occupied while you're cooking.

𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧⁣

The irresistible smell of roasting turkey tests even the best-behaved dogs. Watch for counter-surfing attempts and keep that cooling bird under watchful eyes—unless you want your Thanksgiving to turn into a live-action remake of the Bumpus-hounds turkey heist from A Christmas Story! Keep onions, garlic, grapes, and raw dough well out of reach—they're toxic to dogs. A baby gate across the kitchen doorway can be your best friend today.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐬⁣

It's tempting to share the feast, but your dog's stomach might not thank you. A few bites of plain turkey or vegetables won't hurt, but skip anything with salt, spices, or fat. And never—ever—give them turkey bones. Instead, prepare a special dog-friendly treat, or stuff their Kong with regular kibble mixed with a dollop of plain pumpkin puree.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥⁣

When everyone's relaxing with full bellies, that's when trouble strikes. Dogs are expert opportunists. Keep an eye on unattended plates and secure the trash can. And don't forget an extra potty break—all the excitement may have thrown off their schedule.

𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬⁣

By all means, include your dog in the family photos. Just keep it brief and watch for signs of stress. Some dogs don't appreciate camera flashes or too much posing. Reward their patience with praise and affection.

𝗪𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫⁣

As the day winds down and guests head home, stick to your dog’s usual bedtime routine. A calm evening walk is the perfect way for both of you to decompress. It quietly tells your pup that the wild holiday is over and normal life is back—tail wag, lights out, done.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

The secret to a great Thanksgiving with your dog isn't perfection—it's thoughtful inclusion. Honor their place in the family while respecting their limits, and you'll create wonderful memories for everyone, two-legged and four-legged alike. Include them, protect them, tire them out, and love them well. That's the recipe for a truly happy Thanksgiving—tail wags guaranteed.

11/25/2025

This is tree climbing in slow motion.

11/24/2025

11/19/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠'𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝⁣

Exercise isn't just good for your dog's body—it's essential for their mind. While most dog owners understand that exercise keeps their pets physically healthy, many overlook its impact on mental well-being. Your dog needs more than a quick walk around the block. They need opportunities to run, jump, and explore. Make walks more engaging by letting your dog sniff and investigate new areas—new places give their brain something interesting to focus on.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠'𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧⁣

Not all exercise is equal when it comes to your dog's brain. Letting them follow a scent trail lights up their most powerful sense and satisfies deep-rooted hunting instincts—it's like reading a thrilling novel for their nose. Teaching a new trick or cue (even a silly one) forces them to problem-solve, builds new neural connections, and deepens your bond through clear communication. Walking or running over uneven surfaces—grass, sand, trails, or hills—sharpens proprioception and keeps their mind engaged as they constantly adjust balance and footing. Best of all, simply changing the route, the game, or the environment prevents mental stagnation and keeps life interesting. Variety really is the spice of a dog's life.

𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫⁣

Exercise helps your dog in two main ways. First, it channels extra energy that might otherwise turn into stress or anxiety. Dogs who get enough exercise are calmer and more relaxed.

Second, well-exercised dogs are less likely to develop problematic behaviors caused by boredom. They're less destructive with furniture, bark less out of frustration, and don't jump on people as much for attention.

When dogs engage in activities that satisfy their natural instincts, they feel more fulfilled and behave better at home. Regular exercise can prevent behavior problems before they start.

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞⁣

Organized pack walks with local community groups offer a unique opportunity for dogs to practice social skills in a structured, supportive environment. These group outings allow dogs to experience the benefits of walking alongside other canines while exploring natural settings, which taps into their pack instincts and provides mental stimulation. The presence of other dogs and handlers creates a controlled social setting where your dog can learn appropriate behavior, build confidence, and develop the ability to focus even with distractions. (If you're in the San Antonio area, San Antonio Nature Hounds is a great example of this type of program.) Regular participation in pack walks strengthens your bond with your dog while exposing them to diverse environments and social situations.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬)⁣

Exercise helps your dog sleep more soundly, which improves their mood. Physical activity tires them out in a healthy way, promoting deeper sleep. Regular exercise establishes healthier sleep patterns. Better sleep means less irritability and anxiety. Quality rest helps them learn more effectively during training. The mental workout from exercise creates a need for quality rest, forming a healthy cycle.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠⁣

When planning exercise for your dog, remember that every dog is different. Consider your dog's breed, age, personality, and health when deciding how much and what type of exercise they need. Mix up activities to keep them interested while providing enough physical activity.

Training and exercise require consistency and dedication. By ensuring your dog gets adequate physical activity, you're nurturing both their body and mind, leading to a happier, healthier companion. On busy days (and we all have them), even ten minutes of focused play—fetch, tug-of-war, or a quick training session—can make a meaningful difference. More time-intensive activities like agility courses or extended hikes can wait for weekends or lighter days.

If you're ready to move beyond basic commands and create a deeper connection with your dog, I invite you to contact me for a free consultation. Together, we'll design a personalized mental-enrichment and exercise plan tailored to your dog's unique needs—one that nurtures both body and mind. A truly well-adjusted dog emerges from the thoughtful integration of training, environment, and the individual qualities that make your companion special. I'm here to guide you through that journey, one session at a time.