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A tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel holds a red and white candy cane in his mouth beside a decorated Christmas tree. 3 / 25

Archie Found a Candy Cane and Decided It Was His Now

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Gripped gently between his front teeth, a striped candy cane sticks out sideways from the Cavalier's mouth, and he looks utterly pleased with himself. His soulful brown eyes meet the camera as if to say, I didn't take it, it was a gift. In the busy living room behind him, a lit tree sparkles near plaid blankets, a basket, and a small pile of presents. A pair of slippers, a plaid blanket, and a scatter of papers on the side table add to the cheerful clutter.

Candy canes and dogs are not a good match. They're mostly sugar, and some sugar-free sweets contain xylitol, an ingredient that is toxic to dogs. A dog who bites a candy cane can also end up with sharp shards in his mouth or swallow the plastic wrapper. If your dog gets hold of one, take it away calmly, trade for a treat, and call your vet if he swallowed any of it.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, social dogs who love being near their people, which often means they're right in the middle of whatever is going on. They're also quick to learn a trade, and a good drop it cue, taught with treats and patience, helps keep holiday objects out of mouths. A basket of safe chew treats nearby makes the swap easy and keeps the mood happy.

His name is Archie, and he'd like to point out that he's just holding it for safekeeping. Please believe him, at least until the dog treats come out.

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