Tips for dog proofing the Christmas tree?

[sparklins]

I feel a bit out of sorts about it.
We have recently gone from 1 to 2 large breed dogs. Our OG is a bomb-proof angel dog so we never had to think about this before.
The new addition is 8 months old and a rehome situation.

He has already made short work of a my felt pumpkins which he took off the mantle - multiple times over a few days until they were all reduced to scraps despite my best efforts at teaching him that they're a no go.
He steals shoes and has managed to rip the tv remote holder off the sofa as well as had a good go at the sofa under lining.

I am aware it is still very early days but I wanted to plan in advance. Our DCs are completely obsessed with a christmas tree as this year is the first year we have enough room for a good sized one. But I have a vision of coming back home one day to it all being completely torn down.

Is the only option keeping the dogs out of the lounge where it will be when we are not home or has anyone managed to find another way to stop them from having a go at the baubles?
I would feel quite mean locking dog no 1 out of the lounge as it has her favourite viewpoint onto the street and she loves to sit there when we are out and just people watch - plus it would feel extra mean considering she doesn't cause any of the damages.

Advice for “holidays” is to decorate slowly, don’t make too many changes to decor at once and introduce new things over a period of time.

You could put a freestanding gate or other kind of barrier around the tree when you’re out? Put the tree somewhere else in the house that you don’t allow access to? Maybe go cheap/easily replaceable with tree and decorations this year and hope for the best? I wouldn’t be putting my sentimental stuff out.

Also kind of related but if you’re coming home to damage and it’s only happening when you’re out the dog may not be coping that well with your absence and you might want to consider training for separation anxiety

I'm going to get the tiniest tree ever and put it on a table !! SunPup will be 4 months old

Playpen round the tree

We had a doggy playpen which we put around the tree. Worked brilliantly

I had a playpen round the tree last year after catching the cheeky madam pulling off baubles and hiding round the back of the tree. Worked really well but she is a wee cockapoo. Hoping not to need it this year now she's older and 'wiser' but it's on standby.

You must stop leaving your dog loose and unattended if she is doing this level of damage.

I don't mean to scare you, but if she swallows something sharp or that causes a blockage if could kill her.

She needs to be left somewhere puppy proof or you need to crate train her.

@theswoot I considered that thanks. He seems to go for it immediately e.g. I left the house and had to come back 2 mins later as forgot wallet and he had already helped himself to the pumpkins I mentioned...

@thelobsterquadrille there isn't anything sharp etc that is accessible we've not long since had a toddler so the house is pretty accident proof but will think about it thanks.

Any links or recs for playpens/gates would be really appreciated.
That was my first thought but I don't know how well that will hold up with his size.

Is the dog scared of the hoover? Maybe casually leave the hoover in front of the Christmas tree?

there isn't anything sharp etc that is accessible we've not long since had a toddler so the house is pretty accident proof but will think about it thanks.

It doesn't necessarily need to be sharp - if she's distressed and destructive when left, then anything is fair game really. I've seen dogs get really poorly with blockages and I'd hate that to happen to your girl. They can honestly eat anything!

I would leave her in a room that's as safe as possible (utility room or something) and use pet gates (taller than baby gates) to keep her contained.