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A blue and tan Yorkshire Terrier puppy sits on carpet with a red and white candy cane in his mouth, looking to the side. 20 / 26

Sugar Found a Candy Cane and Trotted Off to Guard It

AI imageyorkshire terriercandy canechristmas puppy

Holding a red and white candy cane across his mouth like a tiny pipe, the little Yorkie puppy turns his head to look at something off to the side. His whiskery face is soft and tan, his dark eyes shine, and his ears flop over to the sides in two scruffy folds. The cozy room behind him has a sofa with a woven blanket, a basket of holiday decorations, and a garland draped over the cushions.

Candy canes aren't safe for dogs. They're nearly all sugar, and some sugar-free candy contains xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. A candy cane can also break into sharp pieces, and the plastic wrapper can be a choking or blockage hazard. If your puppy picks one up, trade it for a treat and take the cane away. If he swallows any, call your vet for advice, especially if the candy was sugar-free.

Yorkshire Terrier puppies are small and bold, and they love to carry things around as if they were treasure. Teaching a drop it cue is wonderful for a puppy like this. Offer a treat when he lets go, praise him, and he'll learn that giving things up is rewarding. Holiday items, from ornaments to candy, are best kept on high shelves so he won't be tempted.

We'll call him Sugar. He found the candy cane first, and he's looking around to see if anyone's coming to claim it.

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