The holiday hijinks of over-excited pets entertain us in cartoons, movies, videos, and jokes, but the thought of our own pets causing chaos at seasonal festivities is not funny to us.
We don’t want chaos when we’re celebrating the season. We want peace. We want our family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy the festive occasions—including the pets.
Over-excitement is not our goal for the pets. We want calm.
I asked friends online: “Creating a calm environment for pets, resident and visiting, during the holiday celebrations—your suggestions for less-experienced pet lovers?”
Ray Little (Pennsylvania) All of my dogs are angels … once they get out of the puppy stage, anyhow. Of course, lots of presents swiped or chewed, and even dinner knocked off the countertop. I always remember the tempest they can create and suggest that you plan to keep yours occupied with other activities to manage their behavior during this hectic time of year. It’s difficult to keep up with their routines and necessary enrichment while juggling all the festivities, but a plan will make it easier. Crate training and appropriate toys and spending time with your dogs and cats can keep them happy and, as a bonus, help you relax, too.
Sodonnia Wolfrom (Arkansas) Give the pets their own space away from people—a back bedroom or crate or some place where they can know they will not be bothered. Put on some white noise or the TV in that area to drown out the sound of people. Make sure to advocate for the pets. If someone wants to pet your pet, and your pet doesn’t want to be petted, don’t let that person pet them. Make sure kids can’t get into the pets’ space. I sent one of my [visiting] pups home when she wasn’t enjoying Thanksgiving. The ones that liked the attention still had a bed that only I would interact with them on, and a back room to go to in case of ‘overwhelm.’
Photo by Denise Nuttall
Harve Morgan (California) I advocate crate training to create their own little space where they don’t have to worry about being stepped on or nudged out of the way. It can still be in the center of activity, but they can feel safe in it. Training for a crate as a refuge comes in handy also if the pet has surgery or even evacuation from a disaster. In the 2003 fires in San Bernardino, many dogs had never been in a crate. They had to be tranquilized—not a good thing when they are already traumatized.
Darcey Byrne (Washington) Keep up with your animals’ basic schedules!
Laurie Schlossnagle (Nebraska) Stick to their normal routine/schedule as much as possible. Also, their normal food.
Danielle Davis (Illinois) I actually put mine in the van. They love their van and get to stay away from the crazy!
Lisa Marie Selthofer (Florida) I’ve done this and it worked fine. Each time I went to check on my dog (in the vehicle), they were sleeping peacefully.
Kellie Snider (Pennsylvania) In some cases it might be appropriate to board them.
Alisha Ardiana (California) Changing a behavior always requires an individual training protocol. So this is not a generic recipe for every dog. But it is where I begin: You need to build relaxing time TOGETHER before you ask your dog to relax alone. Start working on quiet time together in the bedroom now. Pick a time of day when your dog would typically be relaxing. Invite them into the bedroom with something to lick or something to chew. Not a puzzle toy. You should have a project you’re working on, be scrolling on your phone, or read a book. Have lots of white noise playing so you don’t hear any outside sounds. I love the iPhone app BetterSleep. Think how you would want to set up your room if you were going to get a massage. The social signal is “This is a time for us to relax.” Do this for 15 minutes every day. When the session is done, the chew item gets put away, even if the dog is not done yet. After you’ve done this for a week, start taking a short departure from the bedroom. Stand up, say “I’ll be back.” Leave for 15 seconds and come back. So much of this is recognizing that we need to help our dogs settle in our presence before we ask them to settle in our absence.
In addition, I would really start researching licki mats, Toppls, and safe chew items that can keep your dog occupied for longer.
▪ Have you tried baby food?
▪ Have you tried yogurt?
▪ Have you tried freezing it?
We don’t need to get them all excited with puzzle toys, but giving them activities that require more licking and chewing with safe items can be beneficial.
I also wrote this article on how to holiday-proof your pets.
Christine Flint (Pennsylvania) In a nutshell, don’t expect your normally standoffish dog to be a social butterfly just because it’s a human holiday. If they want to be alone, let them be alone! If they enjoy being the center of attention, let them join the party! Other folks are giving great ideas for enrichment to keep pups occupied during their alone time. I also suggest extra chews they can enjoy at the party to avoid counter-surfing for unsafe human food. Of course, make sure they don’t guard things from people. Talk to your vet or trainer ahead of time if you need help reducing your dog’s anxiety about holiday celebrations.
Jamie Wilke (Washington) I love diffusing calming 100-percent therapeutic oils. Cedarwood, lavender, and chamomile oils come to mind. I also diffuse them in my salon for a calming effect during the grooming process for those that are anxious. I work closely with a veterinarian who diffuses and uses lavender around cats. It is all about the oil. In a truly unregulated industry, most oils are adulterated synthetic fragrances made in a lab. You must know your oil—where the plants are grown and how it is distilled. Essential Oils in a Pet Home is a great Facebook group.
Gail S. Green (Oregon) Lots of socializing, quiet games in the evening. Cuddles with my electric blanket in the recliner. I also have a crumpled up pile of three or four lightweight blankets on the sofa and floor so she can bury herself. Keep established routines intact. Keep demands on her time and behaviors when people come over to a minimum. Use the crate freely. Do not introduce new treats that people give to your dog as gifts. Stick with the regular daily treats and introduce gift treats when the hubbub dies down a few days after the holiday. Introduce in small amounts—gift treats are often richer and more sugary than regular treats.
Jo Jacques (Massachusetts) We go through a LOT of sliced orange American cheese, boxes and boxes. Everything’s better when it tastes like cheese!
Julie Ellingson (California) There’s always a spare room, a crate, and maybe some TV. My pets are used to being tucked away to get away from excitement. Most of the time, though, an exercise pen to give space is all that is needed for my lap spaniels. They don’t mind excitement. They don’t have to participate in all of it, though.
Frances Dauster (Alabama) This is what I post every year at New Year’s Eve time … but it applies to other holidays too, for the most part.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
… not if you’re a dog.
DOGS HATE FIREWORKS.
Keep them indoors. Roll down shades, close curtains, turn on all outside and inside lights. Play music at a volume—something classical-ish (don’t subject the poor puppers to death metal, please!). And have TV and radio on.
Keep pets away from people partying in the house. Stressed dogs are, well, stressed, and your family idiot—we all have one—will leave doors and gates open.
Keep puppers on leash or long-line if they’re even remotely bouncy or jumpy. Even three-legged dogs can jump a six-foot fence with ease if terrified. Have your dog(s) wear ID.
And if you have a military veteran in your home, as your neighbor, or in your neighborhood, be kind and don’t have fireworks on your property. PTSD is real.
Meanwhile, here at Sunpaws, we’re prepping for fireworks … Thundershirts, Kongs and treats, stuffable rubber toys, peanut butter, Benadryl, Sileo, Alprazolam, chamomile and lavender oils in a diffuser, homeopathics, melatonin, dog-calming music, DAP lickimats, and more.
Help your dogs. Help our veterans. Please be courteous.
Gail S. Green Frances, Amen. Wonderful and thorough ideas! Thank you!
Two more writers address the topic of today’s suggestions:
Kate LaSala Ctc Csat (Connecticut) I recently wrote about that topic leading up to Thanksgiving.
Tony Cruse (United Kingdom) I wrote an article on it a few years back.
Thanks to Alisha, Kate, and Tony for sharing their articles with us!
