The holidays are a time for celebration, gathering, and plenty of hustle and bustle. For your dog, however, the holidays can be overwhelming. From the doorbell ringing incessantly to the arrival of new guests, it can feel like chaos. But with proper preparation and training, you can ensure your dog remains calm and well-behaved during these festive times.
In this guide, we’ll explore common holiday behavioural issues, how to prepare your dog, and specific Bark Busters techniques that will help you manage your dog’s behaviour, whether your dog is a party animal or prefers a more peaceful retreat.
Key Takeaways
• Top 3 Behavioural Issues: Barking and aggression at the door, jumping on guests, and countersurfing (stealing food) are the most common problems seen during holiday gatherings.
• What’s Happening in a Dog’s Mind?: Dogs may experience overstimulation, territory protection, fear, or a broken routine during the holiday chaos. Their reactions depend on their personality, with some thriving in the excitement and others needing a quiet retreat.
• Mistakes Owners Make: Not communicating expectations to guests (like not feeding the dog from the table) and rewarding bad behaviour (such as petting the dog when jumping or barking) unintentionally amplify chaos.
• Bark Busters’ Fastest Technique: Use your words with guests. “You get what you pet,” meaning petting rewards whatever the dog is doing at that moment? Do we want to reward chaos or calm? You are your dog’s biggest advocate, and you should always feel free to tell guests what the rules are for your pup.
• Realistic Goals for 2 Weeks Preparation vs. 2 Days: In 2 weeks, you can make noticeable progress in behaviour like calm greetings and paw-off guests. In 2 days, you can set up a basic management plan and establish a quiet retreat area for your dog. Any preparation is better than none, though.
What Are the Top 3 Behavioural Issues During Holiday Gatherings?
Holiday gatherings can trigger some common behavioural problems in dogs. Being aware of these challenges allows you to anticipate and manage your dog’s behaviour before it becomes an issue.
• Barking & Aggression at the Door
One of the most common issues is excessive barking or aggression at the door. With so many visitors arriving and leaving, your dog might feel the need to protect its territory, leading to loud barking or even aggressive behaviour. This behaviour can be unsettling for guests and stressful for the dog
• Jumping on Guests
Excitement often leads to dogs jumping on guests, which may be endearing to some, but it can be overwhelming for others. Guests may find it hard to enjoy the celebration if a dog keeps jumping on them, especially if the dog is large or overly enthusiastic.
• Countersurfing and Stealing Food
With so much food around during the holidays, it’s tempting for dogs to get creative when looking for a snack. Countersurfing, when dogs jump up on counters to steal food, becomes a big problem, especially if the dog has access to unattended snacks or meals. This behaviour can be especially problematic during festive dinners, where food is abundant, distractions are high, and toxic/dangerous items like chocolate or cooked bones might be present.
By anticipating these behaviours, you can take proactive steps to prevent them from escalating during your holiday gatherings.
What’s Actually Happening in a Dog’s Mind During Holiday Chaos?
How your dog views the holidays depends on the dog. Like people, some dogs are party animals, and some are introverts. Part of good training is recognizing and respecting what your particular dog needs to be happy.
For example, an introverted dog is more likely to be fearful and overstimulated in a party situation. These dogs are better suited to participating in small, quiet gatherings and having a safe place to retreat to when the chaos is too much.
Dogs are sensitive creatures, and their reactions can vary greatly depending on their temperament.
• Overstimulation: Just like people, some dogs thrive on excitement, while others become overstimulated and stressed. Loud noises, unfamiliar smells, and new faces can all contribute to a dog’s anxiety. This overstimulation often leads to behaviors like barking, jumping, or even cowering in fear.
• Territory Protection: Many dogs see their home as their territory, and the influx of new people may make them feel threatened. This can lead to protective behaviors, such as guarding spaces or acting aggressively toward unfamiliar faces.
• Broken Routine: Dogs thrive on routine, and holidays often disrupt their regular schedule. Whether it’s a change in feeding times, fewer walks, or a lack of quiet time, these disruptions can contribute to stress and frustration.
Each dog reacts differently to the holiday chaos. Some may be eager to join the fun, while others may need a quiet place to retreat and recharge. Understanding your dog’s personality will help you prepare them for the festivities.
What Mistakes Do Owners Make That Amplify the Chaos?
As holiday stress builds, it’s easy to make mistakes that inadvertently add to the chaos. Dog owners can unknowingly amplify the anxiety their pets are feeling. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
• Not Communicating Expectations to Guests
One of the most significant mistakes is failing to communicate your expectations for your dog’s behaviour to guests. For instance, if you don’t want them to feed your fluffy from the table, make sure everyone knows ahead of time. Failing to set boundaries allows guests to inadvertently reinforce bad behaviour by giving attention to the dog when it’s misbehaving.
• Rewarding Bad Behaviour
In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to pet or offer attention to your dog when it’s acting out. However, rewarding your dog during these chaotic moments only reinforces bad behaviour. If your dog is jumping up or barking at guests, your attention can inadvertently encourage them to continue this behaviour.
• Lack of Consistent Boundaries
During the holidays, boundaries can get blurred. For example, if you allow your dog on the couch during holiday festivities but never during the rest of the year, this inconsistency can confuse your dog. Establishing clear, consistent rules is vital to managing their behaviour throughout the holidays.
What Specific Bark Busters Technique Provides the Fastest Results for Managing Guests?
One of the most effective techniques for managing your dog during holiday gatherings is to use your words with guests. Bark Busters teaches the principle of “You get what you pet.” This means that petting your dog rewards the behaviour they are displaying at that moment. If guests pet your dog when they’re excited or jumping, you are unintentionally reinforcing that chaotic behaviour.
To counter this, communicate with your guests ahead of time and explain that they should only reward calm behaviour. For example, if your dog is sitting calmly, that’s the time to give them attention and praise. By making it clear that calm behaviour is what you want to see, you’ll help your dog understand that quiet is the behaviour they should engage in, rather than chaotic or overexcited actions
What’s Realistic to Achieve in 2 Weeks vs. 2 Days Before the Holidays?
The time you have before your guests arrive will determine what you can achieve with your dog.
• In 2 Weeks: You can make significant progress in calming your dog’s behaviour at the door and preventing jumping on guests. In two weeks, you can also establish a safe space for your dog to retreat when they’re feeling overwhelmed. This preparation can make a huge difference in how your dog handles the holiday chaos.
• In 2 Days: While two days is a short time, it’s still enough to put a basic management plan in place. Focus on ensuring your dog has a quiet area to retreat to when needed, and implement simple rulet. Even a little preparation is better than none.
Though more time generally leads to better results, even a short period of training can help your dog stay calm during holiday festivities.
What Should a Puppy Owner Tell Their Guests BEFORE They Arrive?
Puppy owners have unique challenges during the holidays, as puppies are still learning how to navigate the world. Before guests arrive, puppy owners should provide some guidance to ensure everyone’s comfort:
• Let the Puppy Rest: Just like small children, puppies can get overtired quickly. Ensure guests understand the importance of letting the puppy rest if they seem tired. If the puppy is sleeping, encourage guests not to disturb it.
• Mind the Excitement: Puppies are still learning to handle excitement. Guests should be reminded not to overwhelm the puppy by petting them too much or encouraging high-energy play that might lead to overstimulation.
By setting these expectations, you can help your puppy have a more positive experience during the holidays.
Conclusion
Managing your dog’s behaviour during the holiday season doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavour. With clear communication, consistent training, and a little preparation, you can help your dog stay calm and comfortable while you enjoy the festivities.
If you’re looking for more personalized training solutions to help manage your dog’s behaviour this holiday season, Bark Busters is here to help. Our expert trainers are ready across Canada to provide tailored, in-home training that will ensure a peaceful, stress-free holiday for you and your dog.
Choose a trainer near you today to schedule a session and see how we can help your dog thrive during the holidays and beyond!
FAQs:
What should I do if my dog is jumping on guests during holiday gatherings?
Jumping on guests is a common behaviour, but it can be managed by teaching your dog to stay seated when people enter. You get what you pet, reward calm behaviour, and discourage jumping by not giving attention when your dog jumps. Make sure to consistently reinforce calm behaviour with positive rewards – like attention.
Struggling with jumping behaviour? Reach out to one of Bark Busters’ trainers for personalized, in-home training to stop this behaviour and ensure your guests enjoy the holiday too!
Is it too late to train my dog before the holidays?
It’s never too late to start training! While two weeks of preparation will lead to significant improvements, even two days of focused training can help manage basic behaviors like calming at the door and setting up a quiet space for your dog. The key is consistency, and any progress you make will help reduce chaos during the holidays.
Need assistance before the holidays? Bark Busters can help! Contact us today and get started with effective training solutions.
How can I help my dog cope with the chaos of the holidays?
To help your dog cope with holiday chaos, provide a designated quiet space where they can retreat when overwhelmed. Maintain your dog’s regular routine as much as possible, and engage them with mentally stimulating toys to keep them entertained. Also, ensure that guests understand the importance of not overwhelming your dog.
Need more tips on keeping your dog calm? Get in touch with Bark Busters for expert advice and in-home training sessions tailored to your dog’s needs.
What should I tell my guests about interacting with my puppy during the holidays?
Puppies are still learning and can easily get overstimulated. It’s important to remind guests not to overwhelm the puppy with attention, especially when they are resting. Make sure guests understand that puppies, like small children, need breaks. If the puppy is sleeping, encourage guests to leave them alone to rest.
Want to ensure your puppy has a calm holiday? Let Bark Busters guide you with tailored training tips and support for a stress-free season.