While we humans may love the holidays with all the lights and decorations and buzz of activity, dogs generally don’t. These same traditions we love can be a disruptive minefield for dogs, who are creatures of habit and thrive on routine. Christmas can be stressful for pets and may drive a well-trained dog to bad behavior or an untrained dog into total chaos mode.
There are so many ways for a dog to encounter trouble during the Christmas season. To help your pet cope and make sure she–and everyone else–stays safe, here are some ways to help your pet navigate the holidays.
Decorate Wisely
Don’t turn your house into downtown Disneyland all at once. A weekend blitz of putting up Christmas trees and garland and setting out knick knacks and festive pillows may be your preference, but suddenly transforming your pet’s environment like that could be asking for trouble.
Try to avoid stressing your dog out by introducing decor gradually. Give yourself permission to start decorating for the holidays a little earlier and a little more gradually. Letting your dog inspect unfamiliar items is a good idea.
Be prepared to keep certain treasured items in the closet if you suspect your dog might be too interested in them. Be smart. If your dog loves to eviscerate stuffed animals, don’t pile the staircase landing with your collection of plush Santa Clauses. If you have a mouthy puppy, it’s not a great idea to place your grandmother’s hand-carved sleigh and reindeer in their traditional spot on the coffee table.
If nothing else, consider your dog’s safety. Ingesting tinsel, ribbons, and other items can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Holiday Pet Safety
Some Christmas traditions absolutely do not mesh well with pets. Always keep a close eye on your pets during the holidays to make sure they do not get into serious trouble.
Keep chocolate out of reach, and make sure your guests know to do the same. An unattended plate with fudge on it could spell grief. Purses left where dogs can get at them and find gum and candy are also a hazard.
Many of our favorite holiday plants can be toxic for pets, such as poinsettias, holly berries, amaryllis, and some evergreen trees. Check and make sure plants are safe for dogs before placing them in reach of your pet.
Fire is also a great risk; candles and pets do not mix. Happy tails can catch fire or sweep candles off of coffee tables. Even a candle on a table out of reach can be problematic. A boisterous dog can bump against the table legs and send hot wax splashing.
Reinforce Training Basics
The busy holiday season is probably not the time for serious dog training sessions, but it’s a good idea to refresh the basics that will keep you, your guests, your dog, and your possessions safe. “Sit,” “stay,” “down,” and ” drop it/leave it” are critical skills to reinforce well before the holiday decorations come out, guests invade your space, and irresistible cheese trays and cookies crowd the kitchen counters.
Keep the clicker or training treats at hand to reinforce good behavior at whatever odd moments you catch it. Positive dog training methods are proven to encourage the repetition of desired behaviors.
Knowing your dog can follow commands in the midst of unfamiliar situations is important, so you may want to enlist a friend to introduce distractions to your training.
Pre-Party Planning for Pets
As any good host or hostess knows, planning is everything, and any party planning should take pets into consideration. One of the best things you can do, aside from maintaining your daily routine as much as possible, is to tire your dog out before the big event. Go to the dog park for a vigorous game of fetch or take a long walk. A dog that’s been cooped up all afternoon while you’ve been frantically cleaning and cooking is far more likely to go ballistic when the doorbell starts ringing.
If your pet is likely to jump on guests, counter surf, run underfoot, beg for food, or excitable bite, for the sake of all involved make a plan to crate your dog or install baby gates to corral him in a safe space when company comes.
Make sure to watch the door carefully and to let guests know not to hold the door open. Dogs are masters at taking advantage of an open door, and the last thing you want is to turn your holiday parting into a dog-hunting party.
It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog if he is allowed to hang out with your guests, especially if there are small children present. Even the gentlest animal can become testy when faced with a small, shrill antagonist.
Watch for signs of stress or anxiety, such as barking, licking, or chewing, and be ready to intervene. Distracting your dog with a special chew toy or treat puzzle or a well-stuffed Kong to occupy him can be helpful. Whether or not your pet is allowed to mingle with guests, make sure he or she has a quiet place to retreat to when it’s time to decompress or rest.
A Tail-Wagging Holiday for You and Your Dog
Having a pet means taking full responsibility for their welfare and comfort. Holidays can require a little more effort on your part, particularly if your dog is not well-trained. If this holiday season has you adding “dog obedience training classes” to your wish list, Animal Behavior College can help turn you into an expert!
