The family pet can be a source of fun and laughter during the holiday season… and other times a source of stress. Follow the steps below to ensure your pup is set up to succeed during your festive events this month.

Rhiannon van Lidth de Jeude Roemer

Tip 1: A Physically and MentallY Tired Dog is a Good Dog

Dedicating some one-on-one time to your dog before the guests arrive is a must if you want a calm dog during your holiday gathering. If their needs for both physical exercise and mental stimulation have been satisfied, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress throughout the rest of the day! Give your pup a long walk first, including some off-leash or long line time to burn off extra energy. Once back home, engage them in a sniffing, licking, or chewing activity to help them settle and tire them out mentally. By the time guests arrive, your dog should be ready for a snooze!

Tip 2: Management, Management, Management!

During your Christmas Eve dinner party is not the time to train, as your attention can’t be fully devoted to the dog. When you are busy preparing for or hosting a celebration, management is the way to go. Give your dog enrichment activities to keep them busy and out of the way, and block off problem areas using baby gates or dog fencing. If your dog is a counter-surfer, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble by simply not allowing them in the same room as the turkey dinner!

This Month’s Thought: Setting Expectations

While we all have a vision of the perfect family Christmas with the dog lying under the tree, it is important to manage and set expectations.

For your guests:

Let them know how they can help keep the dog calm and out of trouble. With a shy pup, maybe you let guests know ahead of time to not make eye contact and let the dog come to them. For an over-excited dog, perhaps your family can be enlisted to help keep the snuffle mat full throughout the evening.

For yourself:

Know that there will be bumps and hiccups along the way - this is all part of the beautiful holiday chaos! If your dog jumps up on your uncle, or steals a biscuit from the table, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is ‘regressing’ or has a new ‘behavior problem’. Take some time to decompress after the holidays for yourself and pup, and things should settle back to normal ❤️

Looking for help preparing your pup for the holidays? Reach out to a trainer today!