4 Tips to Help Your Dog Stay Calm and Well-Behaved Over the Holidays
The holiday season is often filled with hustle and bustle, and for dog parents, it can be challenging to manage busy schedules while ensuring our pets are comfortable and well-behaved. Here are four key strategies to help keep your dog happy, calm, and well-mannered during this festive season.
1. Maintain Exercise and Enrichment
Just because your schedule is busier doesn’t mean your dog’s need for exercise and mental stimulation disappears! Keeping up with their regular routine can prevent behavioral issues brought on by excess energy.
Make mealtime count. If you’re short on time, try using food-dispensing toys like Kongs, Toppls, snuffle mats, or lick mats to keep your dog engaged. Hide these toys around the house, creating a fun scavenger hunt that activates their foraging instincts.
Prioritize exercise. On days filled with travel or guests, aim to get an early morning park run or walk in for your dog.
2. Set Up a Quiet, Safe Place
Holidays can be overwhelming for dogs, especially with lots of guests. Designating a quiet place for your dog can make a world of difference.
Respect their space. If your dog decides to retreat to this spot, inform your guests to leave them undisturbed. Signs of stress like excessive barking or pacing are cues that your dog may need a break.
Create a cozy spot. Ensure your dog has a quiet, undisturbed area to retreat to. A comfortable bed in a separate room, a crate with their favorite toys, or a familiar corner can work wonders.
3. Reinforce Good Manners
The holidays may mean new smells, sights, and sounds, so it’s a great time to practice and reinforce good manners to help keep your dog safe.
Practice basic cues. Remind your dog of important cues like “sit” and “stay,” which can help prevent door dashing when guests arrive. Using a leash indoors can also prevent them from scavenging, jumping on guests, or rushing out the door.
Meal manners. If your dog is used to being underfoot at mealtime, consider moving them to a safe distance, like a dog bed across the room or behind a baby gate, to avoid any dropped food hazards.
Crate practice. If they haven’t been using their crate, start reintroducing it slowly and positively. Gradually build up crate time with chew toys or enrichment items for short periods, which can help your dog feel calm and safe when you’re entertaining.
4. Prepare Ahead for a Stress-Free Season
A bit of holiday prep can help things run more smoothly and keep your dog on their best behavior.
Communicate with your guests. Let your friends and family know the boundaries you’ve set for your dog, so they can help reinforce the rules and keep your dog safe and comfortable.
Prepare enrichment items. Pre-stuff Kongs, Toppls, and other toys so you can grab them quickly when you need a distraction.
Practice quiet time. Get your dog used to their quiet space or crate well before the big day, so it feels familiar when you need it.
Introduce new rules early. Whether it’s where they’ll be during meals or where to go during present opening, try setting boundaries a few weeks ahead.
By planning ahead and keeping these tips in mind, you can help your dog feel at ease while keeping their behavior in check, allowing you to focus on enjoying the holiday festivities together.