Expert tips on how to keep your new puppy safe this holiday season

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Did you get a puppy for the holidays? While it may be exciting, make sure they are safe this Christmas.

"Just like a baby in the house. If you have a puppy, you want to make sure they're not getting into anything," said Jose Santiago with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

Santiago says there are a few things you should know and do to make sure your holidays go off without a hitch, especially if you're hosting.

"Let your guests know they might look cute, but don't feed them off their plate because they don't know what's going to make them sick," Santiago said.

Santiago says certain foods can upset your dog's stomach if they're not used to eating them and some can be dangerous and/or deadly, like chocolate.

"Chocolate is toxic for dogs. If you start noticing maybe they are a little lethargic, maybe they are vomiting or they are having other issues, you want to get them to a vet right away," Santiago said. "A lot of people are gifting chocolate. It's probably hiding under your tree. These guys can smell it and get into it."

Speaking of Christmas trees, make sure they're secure so Fido can't knock it over. And don't let them drinkthe water used to keep the tree alive.

"A lot of people who have real trees, they water them and they put aspirin in it. Aspirin is toxic to dogs, so you don't want to stick their face in that water and lick up any of that water," Santiago said.

And those New Year's Eve fireworks, make sure they're cause for celebration and not for alarm.

"If you know that your dog can be easily spooked, keep them inside because a lot of dogs will get spooked from the loud noises. They'll jump fences, they'll dig under fences, they get away," Santiago said.

Santiago says the shelters will be full come the New Year with dogs that made a run out of fear. And that's the last place you want your pup to end up.