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Christmas holidays are getting closer day by day. Are you excited? But what about your dog?
Here’s how to make sure this holiday season won’t be stressful for your furry friends.
The holiday season brings a lot of joy, decorating, gifts, delicious foods, memorable moments with our loved ones… and stress to our four-legged pals. Guests coming and going, loud chatter and music, and a lot of fuss in the house can make your dog anxious and disrupt its routine.
Some pets are easygoing and don’t feel disturbed by everything happening during the holiday season. But some dogs are more anxious and don’t feel that comfortable around new people in the house. If your dog is clingier and follows you around most of the day, you’ll need guidelines before your guests arrive.
Keep reading below to find out how to prepare your furry friend for Christmas holiday guests!
Make sure your dog has a safe area.
Choosing a separate space for your dog to spend most of their time during the visits from your guests is a win-win situation. Your dog will have a place where it can be relaxed, and your guests, who are not fans of pets, will not be bothered or scared by your dog’s presence.
Just because you love dogs and don’t fear them doesn’t mean all your friends and family do. Some people fear dogs and don’t feel comfortable in the same room with a pup. At the same time, your dog may be disturbed by all the new people in the house.
So, if possible, it’s best to choose a separate room for your furry friend to spend most of their time during the holiday season.
Get plenty of treats and toys to keep your dog busy.
The best way to make your dog feel comfortable during family gatherings is to keep them busy and entertained. So, stock up on chew treats, like bully sticks or dental chews, and toys your furry friend doesn’t get every day to keep them occupied.
Please speak to your guests before they arrive.
Like most of us, your dog is part of the family now, and you must make sure that your guests know that.
Let your guests know they are welcome to visit and even spend the night, but they must respect your pet’s needs while at your home.
For example, let your guests know that your dog will be in the home during their visit. Or that they are not allowed to feed your pup anything other than their regular dry or wet food. Or, if your dog is usually really excited when greeting guests, warn them, so they know what to expect and not be scared by your dog’s behaviour.
Beware of Doors opening and closing.
Brief EVERYBODY entering the house to close doors after them. A dog can be an expert escape artist and a Christmas opportunist!
Tire them out before your guests arrive.
They say, “a tired dog is a peaceful dog.” So, if you don’t want your dog running around the house, barking, chewing, and causing a lot of mess while you have your guests over, tire them before your guests arrive. For example, you can take them on a long walk and have some serious playtime. This should make them feel tired enough to crash for a few hours.
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