Oh Christmas tree...

[L.M.]

So I am a Christmas fanatic...I'm 26...have only lived in my house for 2 years...and have already accumulated 4 Christmas trees of different shapes and sizes.  As my favorite time of year approaches, I have begun to worry about my Christmas ornament snatcher...AKA Seamus doodle.  He is a year and a half and is no longer crated.  On any normal day, he is a perfect angel when left alone.  Never has accidents or steals things or anything.  BUT do I trust my big man alone with my Christmas trees?  We attempted gating him in the kitchen and when we came home Houdini escaped, so the gate is a no go.  Deep down I think he'll be fine, but I'm just curious....Do you all trust your doodles alone with a tree and their super-tempting ornaments???   (My childhood dog...a chubby pug...used to lay in the village under the tree and steal the little village people and mini trees...I found it hilarious at the time....now it comes back to haunt me.)   =)  

[Sandra]

Ozzie counter surfs for stuff so that I will pay attention especially if I am working at the computer. He thinks any ornaments or snowmen or new toys.

[Donna K & Quincy]

This is what Quincy thought of the undecorated tree, with decorations it was a little different. I have a couple of snowmen that Quincy was afraid of when the came out of the box so they guarded the tree for me. He only managed to steal a couple of decorations and nothing breakable.

[L.M.]

Adorable!! I'm thinking that if Seamus doesn't actually see me put the tree up he may resist stealing things from it. If he sees me handling everything, he will want to "help." Last year he only stole a wooden goose ornament that was, I'll admit, a bit tempting. Other than that, he ignored it UNLESS he wanted to play a good game of chase with mom and dad. I'm being optimistic that when we're not around, he'll completely ignore it and just look out the window.

[L.M.]

LOLOL this is something my doodle would do!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Murphy was just one year old last Christmas and never even noticed the 12' tree in the living room, or the boxes and bows. However, this year with a new puppy who seems to want to eat any and everything she can get into her mouth, we are using the expen around the tree for sure!!!! Better safe than sorry.

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

We've left Fenway alone with the tree for 2 years (this will be her 3rd Christmas) and she's resisted the temptation. This will be Dustin's first year not being crated (he took a little longer on the crating since he kept destroying things when we gave him a chance at freedom) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. He didn't bother it last year or pay it much attention at all when we were home so... we'll see. Good luck to you!

[Sandra]

We tried to put tinsel rope on the tree last year with ornaments only at the top half of the tree and he stole the rope and chomped on the ornaments. We disposed of any glass ones real quick. We're not sure what we'll do this year. Hopefully he's calmed down quite a bit since he turned 2 in April.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

When Lucca was a pup we put a small tree up on a table. My family was appalled:) So, last year when he was a year old I still didn't trust him but couldn't get away with the small tree. I put the puppy fence around the entire tree and it worked great. The only problem was the cat couldn't sleep under the tree and he has always loved to do that. I think it makes him feel like he is in the great forest or something:)
With new puppy coming this year we'll do the fence again......

[Diane and Alma]

Oh my, how time flies. I totally forgot about last Christmas and having to block off the room with our tree because of a puppy. Thanks for the reminder. Now that she's 1 1/2 I'm not sure that we need to, but I will when we are away just to make sure she's not naughty. That way Santa will be sure to fill her stocking with toys!

[Susan and Sasha]

We put a very large tree in the Great Room...(that's what they call it in the south...smile)...which is right off of the kitchen.
The opening to it is very large...and we bought a free-standing...wood...paneled gate with a door... from Orvis...
It's really nice looking...and the door makes it easy for people to walk through.
It doesn't have a "baby gate" look or feel...but...looks like a nice piece of furniture.
It comes in different color stains...so you can match your decor.
This keeps Sasha out of where the tree and lots of Christmas decorations are...unless we invite her in...when we are there to supervise her.
The gates come in many widths...and different heights...so you can taylor it to the size of your dog.
orvis.com
I love it!
I also have from Orvis...the door frame gates...which are wood...and they too have a door that opens...and they also look like part of the decor. Which is very important to me... (smile)
You can leave these up...and they work well in smaller spaces...
They are more pricey...but...I look at it as an investment.
We have lot's of company...and people bring their pets...of all ages and sizes...(smile)
The gates allow me to keep the dogs out of certain areas...etc...and is a great help...while looking good.
The doors...make it so nice to just walk through and they close securely.
I hope this is helpful...