How to prepare your dog for the holiday season if you want a peaceful Christmas

The Christmas preparations, and then the holiday itself, are very beautiful, but undeniably come with a lot of stress. To ensure your dog handles it well, take our advice!

Christmas is about family, spending time together, delicious treats, and of course, gift-giving. These busy, stimulus-filled days can be challenging for your pet. Below, we’ll help you prepare your dog for the Christmas season.

Your dog’s personality

Just like us humans, dogs are individuals with different temperaments. Some dogs handle crowds, the proximity of strangers, and the various lights and sounds associated with events like Christmas quite well. However, there are also pets that may start to retreat as soon as the first guests appear.

Since you know your dog best, you can prepare for these situations. If you know that your dog is generally unfazed by being surrounded by many people and may even enjoy being petted and cuddled, you can let your relatives give them some affection. However, if your pet is generally stressed by such interactions, inform arriving guests in advance to approach your dog gently.

For more sensitive creatures, it’s a huge help if they have the opportunity to retreat. Place their bed in a quiet corner of the house or allow them into an unused room so they can calm down if the holiday hustle and bustle become too much for them.

Prevent trouble!

The above precautions are particularly important in preventing your dog from becoming overstimulated or possibly aggressive due to fear.

Especially with children, you need to protect your dog because youngsters can sometimes take play too far, which can disturb the dog and, in a worse case, even cause pain with an inadvertent move. If the animal is in pain or very frightened, it might react aggressively. This must be avoided at all costs!

Don’t disrupt the routine

As you know, your dog’s routine is very important. The familiar things provide them with a sense of security, which is also a condition for balance. Dogs usually react poorly when their routine is disrupted.

Even amidst the numerous tasks, make time for the usual walks, playtime, and shared moments. If necessary, ask someone to help in the kitchen or take over some tasks from you. Similarly, incorporate these short breaks on holidays.

After the big meals, some extra movement will be welcome, even a couple of additional walks! Your pet will be very grateful for the latter. Besides, it’s an excellent way to relieve stress, so it’s worth going for a walk even if you notice your pet starting to become tense.

Mental workout

Brain exercises are necessary for your dog’s well-being alongside physical activity. Moreover, these mental challenges can also tire your dog, leading to a calm and deep sleep, ensuring tranquility for your guests as well.

Shopping list for your dog

We know that one of the biggest and often most exhausting tasks during the holiday season is shopping. However, for your peace of mind, take the time to go through and make sure you have enough supplies for your dog at home.

Prepare with sufficient dog food, treats, and if you use them, diapers, as well as poop bags. And if you want to pamper your little friend a bit, a few extra delicacies or special treats for them can also go into your basket. This way, the Christmas menu will be memorable for them too.

A gift for him

If you’re used to buying gifts for your dog, it’s an excellent idea for both their enjoyment and entertainment to get them something new, such as a toy. A new ball, chew toy, or a replacement figure for the slightly chewed-up plush can be enough. This way, you can keep them occupied for a longer time, and during calm moments, you can enjoy playing together.

Lock away dangerous things

The Christmas tree is typically attractive but poses a danger to dogs as they can easily knock it over. There are also holiday decorations such as wreaths, candles, and glass ornaments that are better placed out of reach as they can harm your dog if they come into contact with them.

Some foods – chocolate, spicy and fatty treats, sugary and creamy desserts, raisins, coffee, alcoholic beverages, etc. – are better off waiting in the cabinet or on higher shelves until they make their way into your stomach. Among these, some are toxic, while others are unsuitable for dogs and can cause discomfort and indigestion.

If you need some repetition

If you see that there are situations where your dog doesn’t always behave according to your expectations, it’s worth visiting a dog training school. This can be justified even if you’ve already participated in some training because refreshing knowledge is sometimes beneficial.

A well-behaved dog not only behaves better during Christmas but also in every life situation, making it easier for you to handle a well-trained four-legged companion.