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A white Dalmatian with black spots pulls at a red satin ribbon on a kraft-paper wrapped present in a sunny living room. 16 / 25

Pickles Grabbed the Ribbon and Started Unwrapping Early

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Holding the end of a long red ribbon between his teeth and pinning the box with both paws, the Dalmatian is hard at work on a present. His spots look glossy in the sunlight, and one eyebrow seems to lift with concentration. The wrapping paper is torn at the corner, and the living room behind him, with a tree in the corner and a basket of blankets, is warm with morning light. A pair of sneakers sits near the sofa, and the tree sparkles softly in the corner of the room.

Ribbon is one of the more dangerous holiday items for dogs. If swallowed, it can twist in the intestines, which is an emergency. A dog who plays with ribbon should be watched, and the ribbon should be taken away before he chews through it. Offer a rope toy or a tug toy instead, so he can enjoy the same pulling game in a safe way.

Dalmatians are energetic, playful dogs with a lot of stamina. They love to play and often enjoy tug games, but they need a good outlet for their energy every day. Their short coats mean they like warm spots, and the sunny floor is perfect. Teach drop it with a trade for a treat so unwrapping games end without a struggle. Putting presents with ribbon out of reach until it's time to open them is the easiest fix.

We'll call him Pickles. He has found the best gift of all, and it's the ribbon, which he'd like to keep.

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