Holiday Tips

3 years ago
jbaggsJTD
3 minutes

Here are some general tips and guidelines for having guests over during the holidays when you have a dog:

Food

  • Do not let your dog beg for food from guests. This can be difficult, but it is important to resist the temptation. Begging can lead to other unwanted behaviors, such as jumping on people or stealing food.
  • If you are serving food that is dangerous for dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, or grapes, make sure to keep it out of reach. You may also want to put up a baby gate to prevent your dog from accessing the dining area.

Children

  • Supervise all interactions between your dog and children. Even if your dog is normally good with children, it is important to be careful, especially during the holidays when children may be excited and unpredictable.
  • Teach children how to interact with your dog safely. This includes things like not petting your dog when it is eating or sleeping, and not pulling on your dog’s tail or ears.
  • If you have a small dog, be especially careful with young children. Young children may not realize how fragile small dogs can be and may accidentally injure them.

Noise

  • The holidays can be a noisy time, especially if you have a lot of guests over. If your dog is sensitive to noise, you may want to consider keeping them in a quiet room during the festivities.
  • You can also try to reduce noise levels by closing doors and windows, and by turning down the volume on music and TV.
  • If your dog is very anxious about noise, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication.

Other dogs

  • If you have guests who are bringing their dogs over, it is important to introduce the dogs slowly and carefully. Do this in a neutral area, such as a park, and under your supervision.
  • If the dogs seem to be getting along, you can gradually allow them to spend more time together. However, it is important to be vigilant for any signs of aggression. If you see any problems, separate the dogs immediately.
  • You may also want to consider keeping the dogs in separate rooms when guests are over, especially if you are not sure how they will interact.
  • Have multiple bows of water available to prevent resource guarding.
  • Feed in separate areas of the home, separated by a gate or other barrier.

Here are some additional tips:

  • Create a safe space for your dog where they can go to relax and de-stress. This could be their crate, a bed in a quiet room, or even a space under the bed.
  • Do your best to meet your dog’s needs before your guests arrive.
  • If your dog is feeling overwhelmed, take them for a break in the backyard or go for a walk.
  • Be patient and understanding. The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, including dogs.