The holiday season is hard on dogs. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, irregular schedules, parties, strange house guests and platters of unattended food can throw even the best-mannered pups into paroxysms.

The November issue of Better Homes and Gardens offers these tips to help your pup stay sane:

¢ Maintain a regular exercise and feeding schedule. Keeping things as normal as possible will reduce your pet’s anxiety.

¢ Prior to a guest’s arrival, set up a small area for your pet. A crate or laundry room is safe haven for your animal for those times when he gets too excited. Add a toy or familiar blanket, and your pet will feel calm and secure.

¢ Set up tether stations around the house. If he gets too rambunctious, you have a ready place to let him cool his heels. Keep the tether low to the ground and give him a chew stick to work on.

¢ Tell guests not to feed your pet bits of the holiday turkey. High-fat table scraps will upset his stomach and contribute to his stress. Keep doggy snacks on hand so kids can treat him in moderation.