Top 3 Tips for Keeping Your Dog on Its Best Behavior During the Holidays

 The holidays can get overwhelming for dogs, as they are often bombarded with new sights and smells due to the presence of visitors. To help your dog remain calm and relaxed in stressful situations, practice relaxation techniques whenever possible. Place food puzzle toys or calming chewables around the house, offer a massage to your dog or take him outside for an extended walk or play session. Additionally, there are plenty of natural remedies that you can use to help your dog feel relaxed. Look into calming solutions with chamomile, valerian or lavender, and offer your dog these supplements regularly throughout the holiday season.

1. Create a Calm Environment – The holidays can be a chaotic time of year and it can do a number on your pet, who is already prone to anxiety and stress. Make sure that your pet is feeling safe and secure in their holiday environment. Keep their space calm, quiet, and comfortable and make extra effort to ensure that your pet feels secure. Try to keep any visiting friends and family members from playing too roughly with your pet, particularly those that the pet may not be familiar with. Routine, Routine, Routine: One of the top tips for keeping your dog on its best behavior during the holidays is to maintain a regular routine. It’s easy to let your dog’s days become more and more erratic as excitement takes over during the holidays, but it’s important to stick to a normal schedule in order to help your dog stay calm during the holidays, and not get overwhelmed. Keeping their daily routines in order – walks, meals, play time, quiet time, etc. – will help keep them from getting too excited or feeling confused during the holidays.

2. Provide Adequate Exercise and Stimulation – Dogs, like humans, need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to stay fit, healthy, and content. Make sure to practice proper exercise and provide plenty of stimulating activities for your pet. This could range from playing fetch in the backyard to teaching them new tricks. Regular exercise will help displace energy that could otherwise be taken out on furniture or host gifts. Separate Areas for Guests and Dogs: It’s always important to think about your guests and keep them safe around your dogs. Make sure that your dog has a separate, safe and comfortable area for when guests come to visit. This will not only give your dog some quiet time away from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but it’ll also save them from any potential conflicts or accidents with other people.

3. Develop and Maintain a Routine – One of the best ways to keep your pet on their best behavior is to establish and stick to a routine. Establishing a predictable schedule can help reduce anxiety and create structure. Providing your pet with consistency during a hectic time of year can also help keep them calm and well-behaved. It is important to stick to the same feeding times, potty breaks, and play or exercise activities as much as possible. This will help keep your pet feeling safe and secure and reduce the likelihood of them acting out. Establish Boundaries: Establishing boundaries is key during the holidays, as it’ll help your dog understand what’s expected of them while they’re around guests. Before your guests arrive, familiarize your dog with the rules. Make sure they know what’s appropriate behavior, like not jumping up on visitors, not begging for food, and not leaping for attention as soon as someone walks in the house. Establishing these rules ahead of time can help you maintain control of your dog during the holidays, so that you can enjoy the festive season without any unwanted accidents or issues with your dog.

Overall, making sure your pet feels secure and well-cared for during the holidays is key to keeping them on their best behavior. Make sure to create a calming environment, provide adequate exercise and stimulation, and stick to a consistent routine to ensure that your pet’s holiday season is the best it can be.