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The holiday season is here! From Halloween to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, dogs get affected by the change in environment. If you have a pet, it’s important to consider their needs throughout the festivities to make sure they behave appropriately and don’t develop a bad holiday memory.
You can take steps to prepare your dog for the holidays and circumstances like having guests over, changing environments, and a lot of new and exciting sights and smells. Here are some things to take into account as you get your pet ready for the holidays.
Dog Safe Menu
Sharing is good, but there are some foods that just can’t be shared with your pet. Foods associated with the holiday season, such as chocolates, onions, and sugar, should be properly stored out of your dog’s reach. Please talk to your veterinarian about pet-safe foods and ingredients, or look into holiday recipes that are suitable for pets. But don’t forget to give your dog a few safe treats once in a while to allow them a taste of the holidays.
A Safe Zone
Even if your dog can handle the holiday frenzy, it’s still a good idea to occasionally remove them from the excitement. If your dog has been trained to sleep in a crate, now is the ideal time to place the cage, along with your dog’s favorite blanket, bed, or chew toys in a quiet area away from the commotion. Make sure your dog is accustomed to taking a break in a different area while you eat supper or have visitors over so that it will be prepared when the celebrations really heat up. Rather than seeing this as a punishment or a bad experience, give your dog plenty of goodies, toys, a comfy dog bed, and blankets.
Follow A Routine
No matter how stressful the holiday season may be, it’s crucial to stick as closely as possible to your dog’s regular schedule. This includes taking the dog for walks, setting aside time for meals, and ensuring that it has fun. Feed them at the same time every day, take them for their regularly scheduled walk, and make sure they receive the same amount of love and care as you would on any other day. They can become disoriented even by the slightest change. Your dog’s anxiety will be reduced by the predictable routine.
Prepare The Guests
Share your dog’s personality and preferences with guests, in addition to defining strict guidelines like no human food and how much attention is acceptable. Keep an eye on how your visitors approach your dog and give your dog treats after the human interaction. Take your pet to a safe spot if they appear to be overwhelmed. Check on them frequently to ensure that he is feeling relaxed and at peace.
Stock On Supplies
Stock up on everything your dog will require. Purchase treats and snacks. To keep your dog busy while you’re elsewhere, consider chewing toys and toys that release food. Think about purchasing your dog a special item, such as a new toy or some bully sticks. Additionally, if you believe you might need to install dog gates or an exercise pen to keep your dog out of a particular space, do so in advance to give your dog time to get used to the barriers.
While your dog is sure to enjoy the celebrations and enjoyment, excitement pushed too far might result in undesirable behavior. Make sure everyone in the household and any guests are aware of the boundaries you’ve set up to keep your furry buddy at ease and content to encourage good behavior.
