A lot of time and planning goes into preparing for a family Christmas: the food, decorations, guest list, and presents.   Just remember, however, that your dog most likely isn’t used to the excitement and activity of the Christmas season. Your dog’s needs must be taken into consideration while making your plans and preparations to help ensure everyone — both two-legged and four-legged — can enjoy the season safely.

What to train well before Santa’s arrival

A lot of stress, embarrassment and accidents can be prevented simply through teaching your dogs the following behaviours:

1. Settling on a bed or mat

This behaviour is a great sanity saver all year round. Learning to go to a designated place to settle helps dogs calm down as well as gives them a safe place to be to avoid any hazards or being a nuisance to visitors. I teach my dogs to “Park It!” When we’re eating at the table, when guests arrive, or any other time I need them safely out of the way.

2. Drop it

During this time, there will no doubt be extra tempting items lying around or within your dog’s reach that they may want to sample: decorations, toys, snow boots and the like. Teaching them to drop items from their mouth on cue can save disappointment, frustration and maybe even an emergency trip to the vet.

3. Leave-it

Leaving distractions such as food on a coffee table or a Christmas tree decoration can also help keep disaster at bay. This behaviour is built upon the giving attention and recall (coming when called) behaviours. 

4. Polite greetings

Especially if you have a large breed dog, Rover needs to learn to keep his feet on the floor when greeting people. Otherwise, he could easily injure an elderly visitor or frighten a young child. This, of course, needs the right training approach and lots of successful practice. If your dog is struggling with this skill, now’s the time to set aside 5-10 minutes each day to work on it. Practice first with family members, then ask friends and neighbours to help you.

5. Door manners

With more people coming to the house, it’s important that your dog doesn’t take advantage of their arrival to dart out the door. Running after your dog outside in house slippers and cookies in hand screaming their name isn’t a great way to entertain guests. Teach your dog that an open door is not an invitation to cross the threshold. Practice opening various doors in your house, while reinforcing them for staying away from the door. Save the most challenging doors, those leading outside, for when your dog has mastered the easier inside doors.

6. Socialization to different people

Socialization involves having positive experiences with a variety of things in the dog’s environment, including people. The keyword is positive. Keeping the experiences positive means that the dog is not overwhelmed and feels safe. Give your dog lots of opportunities to meet a variety of people while giving them choice to interact on their own terms – never hold a dog to allow someone to pet them. Pair the interaction with things the dog likes such as treats or attention.

7. Separation training

You may need to put your pooch in their crate, in another room or behind a barrier to keep them or your guests safe and from being disturbed. Train your dog to feel safe and comfortable with this arrangement well in advance. Go gradually, starting with just a couple of minutes, adding more time as your dog adjusts and feels safe. Make sure your dog has been mentally and physically exercised before so that they will be ready to settle for some quiet time. You can give your dog something safe to chew on to keep them busy, if needed.

Home preparations for the pooch

Christmas trees

That tree can be full of temptations to some dogs, especially curious, playful puppies. The ornaments can seem like great toys (some in the familiar shape of balls) or things to chew. A puppy may find the string of lights looks good to sink  his teeth into and get himself electrocuted. Pine needles can pose problems if your pup chooses to sample them. The needles can get stuck in their gums, causing them significant distress, upset their stomachs or lodge in their guts, requiring a vet’s intervention to remove. Don’t allow your pet to drink the Christmas tree water. It can contain chemicals leeched from the tree that are dangerous for animals (and humans) to drink.
If your dog shows any interest in the tree, either put up a portable fence around it to keep him away from the dangers or block his access to the room where the tree is put up with doors or baby gates, if possible. Otherwise, never leave your dog unsupervised if he has access to the tree. Keep his water bowl full so that he won’t feel the need to access the tree’s water, and make sure he has other things to occupy him such as chew toys or food puzzles.
Other plants that may be around during the holidays can be toxic to your pets such as mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Keep these out of reach to prevent this mishap.

Special Cases

If accomplishing the needed training in time just isn’t possible, or if your dog has anxiety issues that will make having guests to the house just too stressful, consider booking your dog to stay at daycare. Remember, that this is a very busy time of the year for this service, so be sure to book well in advance.

Taking the time and effort now to help your furry friends be safe and happy during the holidays can surely make the season merry and bright for all.