The holidays can certainly be a joyful time, but they can also be quite hectic — for you and your dog!
From the steady stream of visitors coming and going to the new decorations hanging everywhere to all the strange scents and sounds filling the house, the commotion can make even the most easygoing pup feel overwhelmed. But a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping the season fun, safe, and stress-free for everyone.
To help, I’ll share some of the things you should do before the holidays arrive to ensure your dog stays safe and has a good time during this wonderful time of year.
Common Pet Problems During the Holidays
Before I share some of the most important holiday preparations to carry out, it’s helpful to identify some of the most common problems people and their pets experience between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
- Overstimulation and Stress: All of the new (and often unfamiliar) visitors, noise, and schedule changes can overwhelm even calm dogs, leading to anxious behaviors.
- Door-Dashing and Escapes: With countless guests coming and going all day and night, it can be easy for an excited dog to slip out the door unnoticed and wind up lost.
- Digestive Upsets: Rich foods, table scraps, and sneaky bites of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even emergency vet visits.
- Chewing and Destructive Behavior: New decorations, gift wrap, and cords can all tempt curious, bored, or anxious dogs to chew on unsafe items.
- Disrupted Routines: Changes in walk times, feeding schedules, or alone time can create confusion and stress for dogs used to consistency.
- Guest and Child Interactions: Not all dogs are comfortable with visitors or kids, and misunderstandings can lead to fear or defensive reactions.
Dog Holiday Preparation Checklist: Nine Things to Keep Your Dog Safe and Happy
Every pet, guardian, and holiday routine is different, so it’s important to prepare your pet and home in the way that makes the most sense for your specific situation. However, most pets and their people will find that the following nine action items will help everyone stay safe and enjoy the holidays!
1. Update Your Dog’s ID and Microchip Info
Holiday travel and visitors can mean extra chances for an escape, so make sure your dog’s ID tags, microchip, and registration info are all current. At minimum, they should include your cell number and address, but it can also be helpful to include your email address or social media handle.
2. Review Training Cues Before Guests Arrive
Brush up on polite greetings, door manners, and “leave it” cues to help prevent unnecessary chaos and keep your pet safe. This is important for all dogs, as even the best-behaved barkers can become overstimulated by the visitors, new smells, and excitement that come with the season.
3. Create a Calm Retreat Space
Speaking of holiday chaos, it’s important to give your dog somewhere they can escape to if it all gets to be too much. Set up a quiet, cozy area where your dog can relax away from guests and noise. A crate is ideal, but a closet or unused bathroom can also work.
4. Be Mindful of Dangerous Holiday Foods
The holidays may be synonymous with good food, but many seasonal favorites are dangerous for dogs. Keep chocolate, bones, alcohol, xylitol, and fatty foods out of your dog’s reach, and remind guests about the dos and don’ts of offering food to your pet.
5. Decorate with Safety in Mind
Tinsel, ornaments, cords, and candles are all tempting hazards that could land your pooch in the vet’s office. Supervise your dog around decorations or consider blocking off areas with fragile or risky items to prevent accidents altogether.
6. Keep Routines as Normal as Possible
Dogs thrive on consistency — something that’s often in short supply during the holidays. To the extent you can, try to maintain their regular feeding, walking, and bedtime schedule. Providing this kind of predictability will do wonders to prevent anxiety and help your dog enjoy the fun parts of the holidays.
7. Plan Ahead for Travel and Boarding
If you’re heading out of town during the holidays, confirm your boarding, pet-sitting, or dog-walking arrangements early. This not only ensures that you get a spot on your sitter’s calendar but also gives you plenty of time to schedule a meet-and-greet if you’re working with someone new.
8. Introduce Holiday Guests Slowly
If your dog isn’t used to crowds or kids, introduce them to guests gradually and always supervise interactions. It may even be necessary to keep your dog behind a gate or in a crate if young (and potentially rowdy) children are on the guest list. Be sure to give your dog breaks anytime they show signs of stress or fatigue.
9. Include Your Dog in the Fun (Safely!)
It’s important to keep your dog safe and protect their emotional well-being during the holidays, but it’s also important to make sure they have fun! Your pet is part of the family, and they deserve to partake in the festivities. Load up on dog-safe treats, consider outfitting them in some cozy, holiday-themed PJs, and definitely include them on any gift lists
Need Help with Dog Holiday Preparation?
I obviously can’t help with all of these holiday preparation steps — you’ll have to handle the decorating on your own! But I can help with some of the behavioral issues that may cause headaches during the holidays.
If your pooch could use a refresher on polite greetings, impulse control, or calm behavior before guests arrive, I’d love to help. I offer private training sessions in the Seattle area designed to help you achieve your specific goals. Contact me today to get started and lay the foundation for a great holiday season for your entire family — including the four-footers you love!
Recent Comments