Expert advice for a festive period that works for you and your dog.
Christmas is nearly here, and like many, you’ll be getting ready for a time of extra fun, food and family. Two out of three definitely have their limits. The third is open to debate... although I’ll let you decide which is which!
For your dog, the change and excitement of all three can create stress, overstimulation and uncertainty, which can leave them feeling anxious.
Read on find out how you can best look after your dog over Christmas, reduce anxiety, and make sure they come out the other side feeling happy (just like you’ll be hoping to).
Take a walk with me…
Change in routine at Christmas is hard… especially for your dog
All the things making Christmas a special time, can also represent a challenge. Seeing family you’ve not seen for a long time. Surprise knocks at the door. Late nights. Later nights. Exciting lights. New noises. Treats. And more treats.
It’s a great time, but you might recognise some of these feelings…
After a few days of rich food and drink, you’re left craving something plain.
After another movie or game, you find yourself longing to go on a long, quiet walk.
After another set of visitors, you’d happily close the doors, put your pyjamas on and sit with just your closest family.
And that’s us humans, who understand what’s happening and have prepared for it. After all, we brought the extra cheese and dip selection fully expecting the unexpected visitor!
For dogs, the threshold for feeling overstimulated, overwhelmed and confused by all the excitement can be lower. Therefore, your awareness of the need to maintain consistency and calm needs to be higher.
Socialising and the stress of more strangers
What is your Christmas calendar looking like?
I don’t mean the chocolate one, but the two-week period where we try to cram in a year’s worth of seeing everyone we want to, need to, or feel we need to see.
You’ll naturally be thinking about what’s best for your dog over the busy time. Often you can decide on not wanting them to feel left out, meaning you take them with you to visit relatives, or keep them with you in the lounge when people arrive for drinks, nibbles and games.
For your dog, this means more car journeys, less rest periods, broken sleep and more fuss than normal.
Your dog will prefer the familiarity of their own surroundings,* and the option of a comfy space elsewhere in the house when “strangers” arrive.
* And, “Getting home for the dog,” might just give you the “out” you need on occasions.
Christmas anxiety - You know your dog better than anyone
Think about your dog’s personality and how they respond to changes in their routine.
Do they tend to respond with excitement or anxiety?
Both bring their challenges during the holiday season, when dogs will naturally find themselves in the middle of a longer time of fun, change, overstimulation, and potential stress.
But with the right information, care and planning, you’ll be able to make the best decisions for everyone.
If your dog falls onto the excitable side, you’ll also benefit from our blog, “Dogs and Christmas, Part 2 - How to keep your excitable dog calm and happy.”
Anxious dogs, change and Christmas
There are many reasons why a dog may respond with anxiety.
You may have a rescue dog whose early experiences shaped their responses to change. We know all about this and you can take a look at our origin story, “How a troubled rescue dog inspired Poppets Dog Training.”
Your dog may have experienced a specific trauma, which makes creating a consistent, calm environment even more important. If you recognise this, another of our recent posts will help you, “How to look after your dog during the firework season.”
It also may just be a case of personality. So right now, your job is to create a “safe haven,” based around their individual characteristics and comfort level.
Change is hard for all of us, and you’ll have been working hard for many months to create a home where your dog knows what to expect! Christmas makes it harder to stick to those established routines - read on for strategies you can use and apply today.
top 3 strategies for reducing your dog’s anxiety over Christmas:
1. Visiting – Think about whether your dog needs to be there
It's often better to leave an anxious dog at home, so can you find a pet sitter? You may find there’s more than a few trusted friends your dog knows, who’d actually enjoy a couple of hours to themselves.
If taking your dog with you is necessary, prepare carefully and look closely at how to “Manage Interactions.”
2. Visitors – Creating a safe space
Make sure your dog feels their home is still theirs. Designate a room or space completely off-limits to visitors, making sure this space is 100% safe and undisturbed.
Of course, make sure there is comfortable bedding, familiar toys and water… and “check in” on them regularly to give them the attention they need.
This downtime for your dog is crucial for reducing anxiety over Christmas.
3. Managing visitor interactions – You’re the gatekeeper
Most people see a dog and immediately want to stroke or fuss them, which can be incredibly stressful.
Not every dog wants to be the centre of attention!
Forcing social interactions can cause significant stress, so consider yourself their gatekeeper, and help your dog to take breaks from social situations.
Before, during and after visits, protect regular quiet time together to provide reassurance. And as a family, agree clear house rules for visitors and consistently intervene if you see something that will unsettle your dog.
Download your free PDF copy of the “House rules – From your dog to your visitors."
Food Safety – I wouldn’t be doing my best job if I didn’t say it...
Friendly guests often want to feed dogs, but this can be dangerous as mince pies and many holiday foods are toxic to dogs.
This is one to always quickly intervene on because a well-meaning but misguided, “He looked hungry," will have a seriously nasty impact on everyone’s Christmas.
Please do make a clear rule on this.
Counting down the days…
As you protect your dog’s safe spaces and set clear boundaries, you’ll make sure they feel safe, secure and loved over Christmas. This approach will reduce their stress and anxiety.
Then you can get ready for those wonderful evenings in a warm lounge with a full tummy, a film on the TV, and your dog dozing happily next to you.
Have a brilliant Christmas!
Is your dog struggling with anxiety right now?
Take a look at our recent case study about how we helped Luna and her family overcome her fear of loud noises and going outside.
We’re here if you need help or advice, or want to speak to us about our Dog Training Services – Get in touch, find us on Facebook, or check out our blog page.
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