It’s the most wonderful time of the year - but if you’re worried about how you’ll keep your dog calm this Christmas, then I’m here to help.
Parties to plan, presents to buy, decorations to put up, host visitors, food to cook… it’s no wonder that we all get a little frazzled at this time of year. While we’re busy ensuring every human has a perfect day, I often notice as a certified canine behaviorist that dogs are left out of the season’s planning.
Excitement can build up for weeks before - especially if you have kids - which can leave our dogs responding to the emotional changes in your home. And suddenly their world looks very different! Flashing lights, inflatable snowmen, Christmas displays in your local town. It’s a lot to take on board.
Once the best dog advent calendars have been chosen, it’s important to remember that festivities will go much smoother if you spend a little time planning and preparing for your dog’s needs in advance.
Read on to find out some of the ways you can turn potential chaos into calm for your dog this Yuletide season. Let’s turn potential ‘stresstivities’ into a fun time for all.
How to keep your dog calm over the Christmas period
Keep any training or rules consistent
Ask visiting family and friends to get on board with any rules you have in place around your dog that might impact their behavior (both naughty and nice!). For example, if you prefer your dog not to jump up to greet visitors or beg for food - then set them up for success!
Prep the best long lasting dog chews or food-filled toys for your dog, so that you have something to hand the moment guests arrive or you sit down to your Christmas feast.
Start working on a “settle” exercise. Build up value in your dog hanging out in their comfy bed by throwing treats in it every time they get in it. Then slowly build up some distractions, such as you walking around the room or knocking on an internal door of your home - if they don’t spring out of the bed, toss more of the best dog treats their way!
Avoid vet visits
Unfortunately, this time of year brings a lot of dangers for our dogs. To avoid a stressful (and costly) trip to the vets, pin a list of foods that are poisonous to dogs onto your fridge and make sure everyone reads it.
Some of the key danger items to note include: chocolate, cooked bones from meat, fruit cakes with raisins, alcohol, and grapes. To learn more about the foods to avoid, check out our feature on 32 foods that dogs should never eat.
Some decorations also pose a threat. If you have a young dog who loves to play with toys, glass baubles on the tree may not be ideal this year. Swap to wooden decorations or just go simple with a small table-top tree. You might want to read our expert guide on how to have a Christmas tree with a dog.
Communication is key
It's important to remember that not all humans are ‘dog people’ (crazy to think right?!). Let guests know in advance that your dog will be present. Ask if any of them have pet allergies, perhaps a new partner who’s scared of dogs, or are planning on bringing a dog themselves.
If you’re visiting friends or family instead, ask well in advance if they’re happy with your dog coming too - finding out if there’s any rules at their home, such as no dogs on furniture. Remember communication is key when it comes to successful interactions.
Plan your journey
If you’re traveling over the Christmas holidays, look for regular rest stops for your dog on your driving route. Ensure they’re safely secured while driving with a safety tested harness or the best dog crate. And if your dog gets stressed out by journeys, look at natural calming aids such as Rescue Remedy, calming chews, or supplements. Reach out to an ethical force-free behaviorist for further support.
Add in some solo time
The holiday break gives us extra time to embrace long walks, playtime and cuddles on the sofa. But remember that our dogs can quickly get used to us being around more - and then find it hard when we’re not.
Make sure you add in regular solo downtime for your dogs so that they don't struggle when your guests leave or you go back to work. You can also enjoy some solo time away from family and friends if it’s getting a bit intense by using your dog as an excuse to get out for regular fresh air.
Schedule in post-Christmas downtime
While we hope the festivities go off without a hitch, it can still be a busy and stressful time for all of us. Book in some quiet time for you and your dog during the Twixmas period - so that you don’t start the New Year feeling exhausted.
Is Christmas stressful for dogs?
While Christmas is all about having fun with friends and family, our dogs can find it stressful. Firstly, they’re experts at picking up on our emotions - if you’re feeling stressed out then that can lead to an increase in our dog’s own stress.
They have a lot to deal with from a stimulus point of view too - changes in your home and the outside world - a tree indoors, sparkling lights, people wearing hats and gloves that they don’t usually, not to mention festive jumpers that might light up! The world looks quite different which can be especially difficult for young dogs or a newly rescued canine member of your family.
If your dog is worried about new people or dogs, having visitors or going to other’s homes might cause them extra concern. And if your dog is at the more social end of the spectrum, they might just have too much of a good thing with lots of fun and excitement!
Remember that for us humans, Christmas may come ‘but once a year’ - but for our dogs, the stress and excitement may hang around in their system a little longer.
You might also want to read 32 ways to destress your dog and how to help anxiety in dogs.
