It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Perhaps not for our dogs though...

December is a busy time of year. With friends and family visiting, busy schedules and short days, fireworks, parties, and carol singers at the door - our dogs may be feeling a bit overwhelmed too.

Here are a few tips to help your dog cope with the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year.

Management Matters

Use management strategies to prevent your dog getting the opportunity to practice any unwanted behaviours and to keep them safe. Ensure any toxic foods are kept well out of your dog’s reach to prevent them stealing anything tempting and potentially making themselves very ill. Use stair gates, crates or puppy pens to provide safe space for your dog that they can retreat to if they feel the need, or can be placed into if they get too excited and need some help to calm down.

Remember, though your dog may prefer not to attend every busy Christmas event, don’t leave them too much longer than they are used to. If your schedule is packed, consider finding a dog sitter or asking a friend to spend some time with them.

Respect their Choices

If your dog chooses to take themselves off to their safe space, make sure you and your guests respect this decision and leave them be. Children are very excitable and can be overwhelming for your dog, even if they are used to being around them. Make sure they know to give the dog space.

Provide Mental Stimulation

If you think your dog’s routine is likely to get disturbed over the Christmas period, or perhaps they may not receive as much exercise as usual, you can provide some mental stimulation for them as a temporary solution.

Mental stimulation comes in a range of forms, and different dogs will find different activities more interesting than others. Short, fun training sessions such as trick training are a great way to stimulate and tire out your dog. Provide foraging opportunities in the form of treat balls, snuffle mats, or scatter feeding. Puzzle toys, a good game of tug or some scent work are also a great way to get your dog’s brain working!

Consider Calmers

If your dog is excitable or can be a worrier, consider using a calmer to help them cope with the difficulties that the festive period can bring.

There is a huge range of calming products available; including dietary supplements such as Dorwest’s Scullcap & Valerian tablets or Valerian Compound; plug-ins like Adaptil; or sprays like Pet Remedy.