How Holiday-Ready Is Your Dog? Take This Quick Quiz:
Does your dog have a quiet, safe space to retreat to during festive gatherings?
A) Yes, they love their cozy corner!
B) Not yet, but I’m working on it.
C) No, they roam wherever.
How does your dog react when guests arrive at your home?
A) Calm and collected—they're used to it.
B) A bit anxious but manageable.
C) Barking and stressed, always.
Do you stick to your dog’s daily routine during the holidays?
A) Yes, meals and walks are always on time.
B) Sometimes, but it’s tough with all the events.
C) Not really. Everything gets mixed up during the holidays.
What does your dog do when the doorbell rings during Halloween or holiday parties?
A) They’re trained to stay calm.
B) They get nervous, but we manage.
C) Chaos—they panic every time!
Do you prepare your dog for loud holiday events, like parties or fireworks?
A) Yes, we practice calming techniques.
B) Occasionally, but I could do more.
C) No, they have to deal with it.
Scoring Your Quiz Results:
For every A, give yourself 3 points. For every B, give yourself 2 points. For every C, give yourself 1 point.
13-15 Points: You’re a holiday pro! Your dog is calm, well-prepared, and ready to handle the holiday chaos easily. Keep up the great work in making their experience joyful!
9-12 Points: You’re on the right track! While you’ve got some solid practices in place, there are a few areas where you could improve to help your dog feel even more comfortable during the festivities.
5-8 Points: The holidays might be overwhelming for your dog. But don’t worry—you can take plenty of simple steps to make the season less stressful for your furry friend.
Effective Solutions
People often describe the holiday season as the most wonderful time of the year. Family gatherings, holiday parties, and festive celebrations fill the calendar, bringing joy, excitement, and togetherness. However, while you might enjoy the hustle and bustle, your dog might experience holidays differently.
For many dogs, the sudden shift in daily routines, unfamiliar faces, and loud noises can turn this time of joy into a stressful period. As pet parents, it’s our job to help our dogs navigate the holiday season easily and comfortably. You can keep your dog happy and calm while enjoying the festivities with thoughtful preparation.
Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog
The holiday season brings many new and unfamiliar things into your home: festive decorations, changes in your daily routine, and plenty of holiday gatherings. If the environment becomes overwhelming, providing your dog with a safe space to retreat and relax is important.
Designate a Quiet, Safe Space
Choose a spot in your home where your dog feels comfortable, away from the holiday chaos. This space could be a quiet room or a cozy corner in a less-trafficked area. Make it feel like a sanctuary by adding their favorite bed, blanket, toys, and maybe a piece of your clothing with your scent to offer comfort.
Introduce the Space Gradually
If your dog isn’t used to spending time in a designated space, don’t wait until the holiday chaos hits. Start introducing them to this safe space early so they can become familiar with it in a relaxed setting.
Allow your dog to explore the area at their own pace and use positive reinforcement when your pup remains calm. Over time, your dog will learn that this is a space for peace and relaxation.
Keep the Space Consistent
To help your dog feel more secure, maintain a consistent routine within this safe space. Feed your dog meals here, give them their favorite treats, and play in this area. This consistency reinforces that the space is their retreat, even when things get busy during the holidays.
Managing Guest Interactions
The holiday season often means having more people in your home, whether at family gatherings or a large holiday party. While we might enjoy meeting new people or catching up with loved ones, unfamiliar faces and heightened excitement can cause anxiety in some dogs.
Prepare Your Dog for Guest Arrivals
Before guests arrive, take some time to help your dog practice calm greetings. Encourage your dog to sit or stay when the doorbell rings, rewarding them with a treat for remaining calm. This practice helps reduce the association of guests with excitement or anxiety. Some dogs may take longer to learn calm greetings, so start this training well in advance. Some dogs may take weeks or even months to fully grasp the idea of staying quiet when new people arrive.
Communicate Boundaries with Guests
Guests often mean well, but they might unintentionally overwhelm your dog by giving too much attention, especially if your pup is anxious. It is important to let your guests know how they should interact with your dog. Encourage guests to give your dog space and allow them to approach on their terms. If your dog shows any signs of discomfort, it’s best to limit interaction altogether. Sometimes, restricting access to guests is the best decision for you and your dog.
Allow Breaks and Quiet Time
Even with proper training and communication, some dogs may still become overwhelmed by guests in their homes. It’s important to recognize when your dog needs a break and allow them to have quiet time away from the commotion—this could mean creating a designated safe space for your dog, such as a crate, x-pen or another room where they can retreat if needed. Also, provide plenty of water and comfortable bedding in this area for your dog to relax.
A good rule is to avoid forcing your dog into situations where they feel uncomfortable, as this could lead to unwanted behavior. Allowing your dog to relax away from the action shows you respect their needs and helps them stay calm throughout the event.
Maintaining Routine During the Holidays
Dogs thrive on routine. The festive season, with its many distractions, schedule changes, and holiday events, can disrupt your dog’s daily routine. Routine disruption can increase stress for your dog, making it harder for them to cope with the holiday chaos.
Stick to Regular Meal Times and Walks
One of the easiest ways to keep your dog grounded during the holiday season is to stick to their regular feeding and walking schedule. These daily rituals provide a sense of normalcy and stability amidst the chaos.
No matter how busy your holiday calendar gets, prioritize regular meals and walks to keep your dog happy and stress-free.
Schedule Downtime for Your Dog
Let your dog enjoy regular periods of downtime to relax and recharge. Giving your dog plenty of rest in its safe space can prevent overstimulation and help it feel more secure.
If you have guests staying for an extended time or are hosting multiple events, give your dog opportunities for alone time each day.
Be Mindful of Your Energy
Dogs are incredibly perceptive and pick up on the energy of their human companions. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by the holiday chaos, your dog will likely mirror those emotions.
Try to remain calm and composed, as this will help your dog relax, too. Your calm energy will go a long way in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for your dog during the festive season.
Calm and Happy Holidays
Helping your dog feel safe and calm during the Holiday Season can make all the difference. By creating a peaceful environment, maintaining routines, and being mindful of their comfort, you’re reducing stress and fostering a sense of security.
With a little preparation and care, the holidays can be joyful and relaxing for everyone in your household—including your dog. After all, the holidays are about enjoyment, and if your dog is happy, it allows you both to enjoy the festivities.
About Stephanie Barger, Canine Zen
Stephanie is a certified dog trainer focusing on easing separation anxiety and improving behavior. She initially taught humans but shifted to dog training over ten years ago. Her mission is to enhance the bond between you and your dog, aiming for a peaceful coexistence.
Her business, Canine Zen, reflects her philosophy on life with dogs. Stephanie views dogs as aware, social creatures who require empathy and support to adapt to our human-centric world. She teaches effective communication between dogs and their pet parents, helping them understand each other better. Her approach promotes a learning environment free from fear, pain, or judgment for dogs and humans.
Stephanie dedicates herself to helping you overcome the challenges you face with your dog, even if you feel like you've exhausted all options. She combines her teaching expertise with a compassionate approach and provides practical training strategies.
Feel free to contact Stephanie if you want to transform your relationship with your dog and create a more harmonious home. You can schedule a free Discovery Call here.
Stephanie and Canine Zen's links/handles:
Facebook (personal): https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBarger67
Facebook (business): https://www.facebook.com/caninezenusa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caninezen/
Certifications/Organizational Affiliations
Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)
Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA)
Certificate of Completion-Aggression in Dogs Master Class
Fear Free Certified Professional (FFP-Trainer)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Member of the Association of Professional Trainers (APT)
Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG)
Alignable Ambassador: Alliance of Central NM
Alignable Group Co-Leader: Pet Industry Group
Owner/Operator of Canine Zen LLC
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