Holidays Last Updated:

Happy Dogsgiving

By

Embark Dogsgiving dog with dinner bowl in its mouth, autumn leaves in the background.


Our pups give us so much to be thankful for, so we’re dedicating this slice of November to them. Learn some tips, try a recipe, and turn up the love for #Dogsgiving!

Explore: Etiquette   Recipes   Social

dividing line

Teach your dog dining etiquette

Whether they’re eating their own food or eyeing yours, it’s important for your dog to have good table manners. Professional dog trainer, Erika Gonzalez of From Dusk Till Dog, shares her tips for teaching your dog proper etiquette during mealtimes.

Slow your dog’s eating
Spreading your dog’s feeding time over a longer period has the benefit of settling their stomach and giving them mental stimulation while they chow down. There are a lot of supplies that can help, like feeding puzzles and snuffle mats.

dog eating from food puzzle

Teach your dog how to behave when you’re eating
Does your dog crowd you as soon as you sit down with food? Start by training them just by sitting in a chair without any food. Reward them soon after you sit down so they know that doing nothing in this situation is a good thing.

erika dog trainer sitting in front of dogs

Teach your dog to ignore food
Start adding distractions like a bag of food that crinkles. Make a lot of noise while you grab the food. Reward them for staying in place. Once they’ve mastered this section, move on to a more “realistic” scenario like sitting on the couch.

erika dog trainer sitting in front of dogs with food

Once you’ve put in the work of training your dog to have good manners, they’ll have another great trait for you to be thankful for!

Watch the full video below:

dividing line

Feast mode: dog-friendly recipes

Why shouldn’t your dog enjoy an extra special meal around Thanksgiving, too? These homemade recipes can be whipped up with just a few ingredients, easy as pie. Nothing says “thank you” like a full stomach!

Turkey woof loaf

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrots
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. In a bowl, mix together the lean ground turkey, chopped carrots, and peas. Both are healthy for cats and dogs, giving them the nutrition they need for strong eyes and good digestion.
  2. Add the oats and eggs. Mix until the loaf mixture comes together. Oats help your pet’s coat shine, and eggs offer extra protein. Lightly grease a loaf pan with olive oil and then add half the mixture to the pan.
  3. Place the three hard-boiled eggs along the center of the loaf and then cover with the other half of the ground turkey mixture. Pop in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
  4. Cut a half-inch slice from the cooled loaf and feed to your pup. They’ll be woofing for more turkey time!

Pup peanut butter cake

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1/4 cup applesauce unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons honey

*Safety tip: Make sure the peanut butter you use is safe for dogs. Some peanut butter contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is poisonous for dogs.

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 6-inch round cake pan (or a 9×5-inch bread pan) with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Stir flour, baking soda, baking powder, peanut butter, oil, applesauce, egg, and honey. Pour into pans. Bake 20-30 minutes, until browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
  3. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pro tip: Is your dog a foodie? Put it to use with training! High-value treats are a great reward for helping your dog learn new cues

dividing line

Share on social

Sharing is caring (If on mobile, press + hold to save image). Celebrate #Dogsgiving on social to get the word out and spread the love for our dogs.

7 days of #Dogsgiving

It’s the little things that count

7 days of Dogsgiving Check list

What’s your dog thankful for?

“Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts” – Unknown

what is your dog more thankful for? graphic

 

What about your dog are you thankful for?

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Unknown 

Dogsgiving Gratitude list

 

Be sure to follow @embarkvet on Facebook and Instagram for more fun discoveries. Give thanks!

Mo Osinubi Contributor

An animal lover at heart, MO grew up with a Rottweiler puppy named Sheba, who sparked her love for animals. Throughout high school, MO worked as an aquarium guide at the New England Aquarium and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. However, her passion for writing and media led her to study marketing and communication. At Embark Veterinary, MO is a Senior Growth Marketing Manager and is delighted to bridge her love for animals with her career.

Read more about Mo Osinubi

Related categories

Holidays Insights

Shop dog DNA tests