How To Keep Your Dog Calm This Christmas


As a nation of dog owners, it’s no secret that we like to keep our pets at home happy. There’s no better feeling that being greeted with that excited tail wag when we come downstairs on a morning. Especially on a morning like Christmas Day. They’re a massive part of the family, and so its understandable we want to keep our pets healthy and happy.

So much so, recent studies predict that Brits across the UK are set to spend a whopping £162m on their pets this Christmas. As a thank you for their unconditional puppy love that has supported us through these turbulent times indoors.

Yet despite December being such a festive time of year, Christmas can prove to be a stressful time for our pets. Having such an increased number of visitors coming and going can be a lot for our pooches to comprehend.

In this article, we share a few top tips on how to keep your dog calm this Christmas. Whether you’re travelling to a loved one’s for your Christmas dinner. Or if you’re hosting a festive party. These methods will help to keep your dog happy and content.

Stick To Routines 

If there’s one thing your pup is used to by now, it’s their daily routine. Waking up, getting fed, going for a lovely walk to stretch their legs. Followed by having an afternoon snooze and a delicious doggy dinner. 

While every dog’s routine may differ slightly, your pooch will be expecting this to stay the same over Christmas. If it doesn’t, that’s when the anxiety can start to settle in for them. 

If your dog gets overly excited or over stimulated by visitors, it may be worth taking them for an extra long walk. Allow them to burn off more energy outside at the park, than at home where all your guests are mingling. 

Regardless of which way you do your routine, dogs are creatures of habit so consistency is key to ensuring they are as at ease as possible, despite the festive Christmas chaos that may be occurring within your home.

Distract Them With Treats

If your house becomes overcrowded with new faces your pooch doesn’t recognise, you may notice them starting to get anxious. Doggy treats can be a great way to distract your furry friend, particularly if they associate treats with being praised. This lets your pooch know you’re present and keeps them entertained for a while.

If you think they are becoming too overstimulated or over-excited, you can put them in a quiet room, away from loud music, lights and people. Just ensure to give your four-legged-friend lots of treats when they are in the quiet room, so that they do not associate this as a punishment. 

Remember, it’s important to ensure you still provide nutritious dog food and treats over the festive period to maintain the health of your pup. 

Doorbell Training

Don’t forget your pets at home this Christmas, especially if you plan on having lots of guests over for Christmas. If so, it might be worth considering training for your pooch. Especially if you notice your dog gets very exited, starts barking, or jumping on guests. 

Perhaps finding training especially for when the doorbell rings, or if there is a knock at the door. 

A good solution to this could be leash training, although this should be done in advance of the festive period. 

Start off by teaching your doggy friend to remain on a mat when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. You should try this with a leash on first, as this will give your dog better guidance over what is good behaviour. 

Keep practising until they successfully remain on the mat and listen to your commands. It could be helpful to keep a lead near the door, as a way to prevent your friend from running up and down the house, jumping on visitors or running out the door. 

These methods should help with over excited dogs, and also help your guests feel welcomed into your home. As many visitors, particularly children, can feel scared, or intimidated by large dogs.

Travelling Long Distances 

If you have to travel far this Christmas to family who live further afield, prepare the car for your pooch to ensure they have maximum comfort throughout the journey. Access to water is essential, alongside snuggly blankets to keep things cosy!

If your pup sometimes gets nervous traveling, scattering his or her favourite soft toys around it, or having a family member sit in the back with them to pet them and give them some love, can be a great way to comfort them until you arrive at your destination. Dependent on how far you’re traveling, making regular toilet stops at service stations will also help to keep your pooch content. 

How would you treat your pets at home this Christmas? Will they get a stocking too?

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