Here’s how to care for your dog during the holiday madness.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Well, not for everyone, and we’re talking about our four-legged friends. According to the American Kennel Club, loud noises, unfamiliar faces, and new environments can trigger stress and anxiety in dogs. All these happen during the holidays, when you host parties, go for shopping and leave your pup alone, and travel and meet other relatives. To set everyone up for success this time of the year, an expert dog trainer shares some tips for a no-stress holiday for you and your pup.
Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior underscores the importance of managing your pup’s environment. Remember, dogs thrive on routine and any small change in the things they’re used to do could increase anxiety levels and put them on high alert. I’m sure you’ve seen how your dog act that one time you took her or him on a road trip.
So what can you do for your pup this holiday? Per DeWillems, this isn’t the time to train your dog, especially if you haven’t been training for the rest of the year. What you can do instead is make not-so-drastic changes to the environment of your pup that could influence their behavior. These changes include:
- Using pet gates – According to DeWillems, having a physical barrier could encourage calmer behaviors in dogs. Putting up pet gates this time of the year could also help give your dog a break from visitors or other canines.
- Offering dog chews – Help your dog stay calm during the holiday chaos by offering some dog chews. According to University of Texas at Austin, chewing triggers the production of endorphins or the body’s feel-good chemicals. Endorphins have a calming effect, lowering anxiety levels. Hence, bringing some chews with you when you travel with your pup, perhaps to visit a loved one, could help alleviate stress.
- Keeping your pup on leash – If your dog tends to jump on people, counters, or tables, it’s better to keep him or her on leash. This could help prevent any accident, especially when you’re in an area with lots of people or hot food around.
- Ensuring a good night’s sleep – Because of distractions, dogs usually don’t get enough rest during the holidays. DeWillems also shared that rest can help dogs make desirable decisions. If possible, allow your pup get some downtime in a separate room.
Recognizing Signs of Stress in Dogs
It’s difficult to care for you pup if you don’t know when they need it the most. This is why it’s important to be aware of the signs of stress in dogs, especially now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season. Watch out for these signs so you can keep your pup safe and comfortable:
- Ears back
- Tail tucked or low
- Holding the body low to the ground
- Frequent yawning
- Barking and/or growling
- Whale eye or side eye
Make sure to comfort your pet or encourage them to go to their “safe haven” to reduce anxiety. When signs of stress are already present and unfamiliar faces still attempt to interact with your pup, there’s a possibility that the latter would behave aggressively. For your pup’s safe haven, choose a place where they spend most of the time or tend to visit when they’re feeling stressed. Reward them with treats whenever they relax there, so your pet would learn where to go when they feel overwhelmed.
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From The Club
Holiday stress is real and it could hit our pets, too. I’m grateful for the tips shared by experts like Juliana DeWillems. They’re worth taking note of, especially if lots of people are coming over to your home or you’re planning for a trip with your pup this holiday season. If possible, try to stick to your dog’s routine, including feeding, walking, and playtimes. The predictability should help your dog feel less stressed.