With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we can’t forget to prepare our dogs for all excitement. After all, the holidays are for dogs too! Here are a few tips to help make some of the changes a bit easier on everyone. Since this can be tough on some dogs, (and their people too!)

The tree is up, the packages are in place, the doorbell has been ringing with deliveries and now with company arriving, this can bring even more excitement to a holiday home with a dog.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Dog for The Holidays If You Anticipate:

• Excessive barking or jumping
• Reactivity behavior
• Body language changes

1. Prep Before Company Comes

A quick “run through” at the door to remind your dog what the “door rules” are before the company arrives can make a big difference. It’s nice to have a few practice runs before it’s the real deal!

2. Have a “Chill Out” Area Ready

It’s nice to give your dog an area to call their own when it’s time to refuel their battery. When your dog is going to be joining the party filled with all types of temptations (people food, etc.) and energy in the house, those moments to recharge can make all the difference! It’s ok for you to not feel as though you need to be a “super mom” or “super dad” able to leap tall buildings, put up the Christmas tree, wrap the presents, serve the dinner, annnd make sure the dog is happy and isn’t jumping on people all in one single night. Your dog can take a break and so can you. It’s better for everyone! Play nice music in the chill area, provide your dogs favorite bedding filled with the scent of familiarity, and a safe chew item normally used for nap times. You’ll probably be jealous for a hot second when you lay your dog down for that short recharging nap. Bring the dog back out when it’s an appropriate time. It’s best to have stop and go or “on and off” times!

3. Designate a Dog Sitter

When we have company at our home, there’s always an older kid or two (maybe three) that beg to be “Katey sitters.” I make sure to have our high-energy lab on a leash, the kids take turns with the bait bag and they love working on her tricks. This helps a lot when I’m working on dinner prep or setting the table, etc. By the time they’re done doing tricks for treats, they’ve gotten all the Katey silliness out of their system and the dog is happy (and trained!) too. It’s a win-win! Note: Use your own judgment on the age of the children, you certainly shouldn’t leave dogs and kids unattended. Having a designated adult dog lover/sitter can help a lot too!

4. Prepare Activies and Chew Items

The same way you’re preparing all the “fixings” for the holiday dinner, you really want to think ahead about your dogs goodies too! There are so many different ways to prepare toys for enrichment activities, filled kongs, and hollow chew items to make for long-lasting entertainment. Plus this positive association is paired with the company, another win-win! I have a few blogs on kong recipes and toy rotation if you want to learn more!

5. Prepare and Prevent

The fancy term for this is Environmental Management and Behavior Modification. It’s important to set your dog up for success, especially when it’s related to anxiety and a positive behavior outcome. You can manage your dogs environment using a baby gate, a crate, a collar and leash, treats, and a filled kong. Managing your dogs behavior can be accomplished when preventing undesirable behaviors by combining the environmental management techniques and teaching your dog with the behaviors you wish to see from him. When someone comes to the door? “Go to your place!” The kids are running through the house? “Watch me!” If you can’t modify the behavior, go back to any of the tools you already had in place for preparation such as the use of your leash, crate, gates, etc.

Follow these tips with your loved ones, grab some holiday cheer and your favorite furry buddy and you should be all set for a holiday of fun-filled with memories each season for years to come. Happy Holidays from our home to yours!