The holiday season is here, and with it comes the joy of spending time with family, friends, traveling, and enjoying some well-earned time off. However, the holidays can also bring stress—not just for us, but for our pets, too. Changes in routine, an increase in activity with visitors, and the overall excitement of the season can cause our dogs to feel anxious or overwhelmed, which can lead to behavioral challenges.
This month, we’re sharing some helpful training tips to make the holidays a little more relaxing for your furry friend. By incorporating these practices, you can help your dog feel more comfortable and calm amid the festivities.
1: Create a Safe Space for Your Dog
One of the best ways to reduce stress for your dog during the holidays is to set up a designated safe space where they can retreat to when they need a break. This could be a comfortable bed or mat, their crate, or even a quiet room. The key to making this space effective is to ensure that it’s a place where positive experiences happen consistently.
To build a positive association with this area, try these steps:
Feed your dog their meals in this spot.
Give them high-value treats, chews, or bones here.
Practice relaxation exercises like "settle" or "place" commands.
Create a cue or command that tells your dog to go to their safe space and relax. It’s important that when your dog is in this space, they are left alone to unwind—this is their retreat from the holiday chaos. Avoid letting visitors, children, or other pets disturb them while they’re in their safe zone. With a little training, this area can become a go-to spot for your dog to decompress when things get too hectic.
2: Do Stress-Relieving Exercises
Stress can build up quickly for our dogs, especially during the busy holiday season. Cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, can stay in a dog’s system for up to 48 hours, which means the more chaotic things are around them, the more likely their stress will accumulate.
Fortunately, there are activities that can help your dog process and release this stress. One effective method is "sniff walks." Allowing your dog to slow down, breathe deeply, and sniff their surroundings can have a calming effect. Sniffing helps reduce heart rate, encourages your dog to shift into a more relaxed, "search mode," and promotes mental stimulation. We recommend taking regular sniff walks with your dog during the holiday season to help them release pent-up stress and feel more grounded.
3: Establish a Calm Greeting Routine
With the arrival of guests, there can be a surge of excitement and stress for both you and your dog. Dogs often react to new people by jumping, barking, or becoming overly excited, and some may show signs of anxiety or reactivity when strangers enter the home. To reduce this stress, it’s helpful to set up a consistent greeting routine for guests.
Here’s how to manage guest interactions:
Prevent doorbell madness: Avoid letting your dog greet guests right at the door. This can lead to undesirable behaviors like running outside, jumping on people, or even reacting aggressively.
Create space at the door: Use a baby gate, crate, or leash to manage your dog’s behavior when guests arrive. This keeps your dog safe and minimizes the risk of overwhelming them or creating bad habits.
Instruct guests to ignore your dog: When your guests first arrive, ask them to ignore your dog until they are calm. This helps your dog learn that calm behavior leads to positive interactions. Once your dog has settled, you can allow them to greet guests in a calm and controlled manner.
The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection for everyone, including your pets. But with all the changes in routine, new faces, and excitement, it’s important to be mindful of your dog’s needs. By following these tips, you can help ensure a more peaceful holiday for your four-legged family members.
Be kind to yourself and your pets, and enjoy a stress-free holiday season!
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