"It's the most wonderful time of the year," is a famous line from a Christmas song that represents a sentiment in our culture that the holiday season is filled with nothing but love, family, giving, and happiness.
But if it is the most wonderful time of the year, why does everyone always seem so stressed out?
This question brings me to the purpose of this blog post--- because when I say everyone, this means our dogs too..
In this post, I want to remind you to be more mindful that holiday gatherings, and this time of year in general, can be quite stressful for many of our dogs.
This is important to be aware of because stressed dogs are more likely to show behaviors that are outside their norm--- a few examples being running away, chewing inappropriate stuff, and growling or even biting other dogs or humans,
In my line of work, I see an increase in incidents like this around this time of year, so I think it is important to spread awareness about it.
Here are some common reasons why our dogs might be more stressed around holidays:
Change in daily schedule/ routine at home (kids out of school, taking time off work)
More visitors than usual at home (including kids and other animals too)
Traveling to unfamiliar places such as hotels or busy households with multiple visitors
The addition of decorations and gifts
Stressed-out caregivers (us!)
This list is not exhaustive and simply gives you an idea of the multitude of things that might cause increased stress to our dogs during this time of year. Also, keep in mind the concept of trigger stacking. This means that having multiple of these stressors going on can negatively affect our dogs more greatly because they build on each other.
So next, what do we do about it??
Every dog and situation is different, so I do not have one catch-all answer for you.
But here are things to consider:
Your dog does not need to be a part of busy holiday gatherings if guests and commotion make them anxious. Put your dog away in a safe space if having visitors at home,
Be aware of visiting dogs and children. Having unfamiliar pets or small humans around in their home can be extra unsettling for many dogs.
Some dogs don't enjoy traveling to new places, especially if there will be holiday gatherings occurring there too. Consider boarding your dog or utilizing a pet sitter if appropriate and safe for your situation.
Advocate for your dog around guests. If your dog doesn't like being pet or has a certain way they prefer to meet new people, be sure to communicate that!
Try to keep your dog's daily routine as consistent as you can, even if traveling or if your regular schedule is off for the holidays. This helps to reduce stress.
The bottom line is that dogs feel holiday stress too. It is up to us as their humans to decide what types of accommodations are best for them during this crazy time of year.
I am here to tell you that it is OKAY to not have your dog be a part of the holiday commotion if it adds stress to their life or yours. Instead, you can celebrate the holiday with your dog in a different way-- a way that brings you both joy.
If you are looking for a customized plan to help you and your dog navigate situations such as gatherings, visitors, or traveling, book a private consultation to get started!
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