The holidays can stress us − and our dogs − out.
Large numbers of new people coming into the home and descending on piles of food and Christmas decorations easily triggers anxious dogs − and worst-case scenario, someone could get bit or your dog could eat something dangerous.
“The whole holiday season is about connecting, and having more people over than you normally would,” said Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with the Wellness Pet Company. “But with dogs, maybe you’ve got an enthusiastic one, you’ve got one whose manners aren’t ideal, you’ve got a timid dog who’s got anxiety, or a Labrador who sits right next to guests and drools all over at dinnertime.”
Anticipating your dog’s behavior is key to making sure family gatherings go smoothly, said Dominik Feichtner, founder of The Dog Behaviorist training company in Brooklyn, New York.
“Be honest with yourself about the dog you have,” Feichtner said. “If your dog freaks out when DoorDash knocks on the door, then your dog’s probably not going to do much better if 10 people run through the door.”
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Setting boundaries, especially with children, can help avoid stressful interactions, Bernal said. Tell the kids how to play with the dog and be on the lookout for growls or barred teeth, Feichtner said. New noises and people in the home can compound and boil over into doggy chaos, Bernal said, but the good news is a lot of stressors can be prevented or managed.
“Laying down some ground rules, you might feel nervous about doing it, but it can go a long way in making everybody feel good,” Bernal said.
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Why guests entering the home stresses dogs out
We all know how special it feels when long-anticipated family and friends ring the doorbell and everyone hugs. But the dog didn’t get the memo and doesn’t know how to act when someone new comes over their threshold, Feichtner said.
“They don’t know what the rules are,” Feichtner said. “Should I defend the home? Should I run and hide? Should I jump on everyone to get affection?”
Owners can train their dog to react a certain way when someone knocks on the door and comes inside, Feichtner said, specifically through something called the “place command.” In videos online, Feichtner said, owners can learn how to train their dog to go to their bed or a certain location when someone is at the door. The place command is helpful because the dog will know what to do and expect a reward for doing the right thing. You can also make your dog do the classic “sit” when people come in, Bernal said.
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If a dog starts to get overwhelmed, Feichtner said, the animal could lash out in fear.
“That’s where dog bites happen,” Feichtner said.
If your dog is particularly afraid or nervous around a certain relative, put the dog on their leash and walk outside with the person for five to 10 minutes. Then walk back inside like it’s no big deal, Feichtner said.
Make a ‘bark-cuterie board’
Vet visits spike around the holidays after more dogs get into food they shouldn’t, or are fed food by guests who don’t know better, both Bernal and Feichtner said.
Bernal suggests making a “bark-cuterie” board with things dogs can eat, like carrots, apple slices and plain yogurt, that way kids have an activity where they’re feeding the dog safely.
“You can make it fun, like if you have nieces and nephews whose highlight is hanging with the dog,” Bernal said.
Feichtner said it’s always a good idea to keep the dog’s leash on while inside. That way, he said, you can easily pull the animal off the counter or dining table if they jump up trying to take a bite out of the turkey or ham.
Hosts busy entertaining might forget to pack up food or items could be left in easy reach of the dog, so stay vigilant, Bernal warned.
“Dogs love to forage, they love to scavenge,” Bernal said. “They’ve got such great smelling abilities many of them are complete foodies at heart.”
Give the dog a separate space
One of the best ways to avoid unwanted dog behavior is to put the animal in a room with the door closed, and give them something to occupy themselves, like a dental chew or a treat puzzle, Bernal said.
But if you and guests can’t bear being away from the dog, just try your best to incorporate the animal in an effective way, Bernal said. Inviting guests to come on the dog’s walk can be good, she said, because that way the animal’s routine isn’t overlooked.
“Pets more than ever are part of the family,” Bernal said. “So having them included in holidays makes the days better. Make it a great day for them and it’ll be a better day for us as well.”
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