Start Early for a Smooth Holiday Season

By starting a few weeks before your holiday celebration, you will give your dog time to get used to the new holiday routine. If your celebration is smack dab in the middle of your dog’s normal feeding time, try gradually moving his dinner time forward 15 minutes each day. By the time your holiday guests arrive, your dog will be used to his new, earlier dinner time and less likely to bother your guests for food or, worse, counter-surf the holiday ham!

If you have a Velcro dog who needs to be with you all the time (like me), get him used to spending several brief periods alone. Leave a chew toy for him to work out his anxiety or some soft music to ease his holiday separation, and check on him periodically. This will prepare him for times you are busy with your guests or holiday activities and cannot attend his every whim!

Practice Doorbell Training

This next tip can be used all year round. I suggest this to all my dog training clients: practice doorbell training! That dang DING-DONG can be a strong trigger for our furry friends. (Think about Halloween or the mailman!) Have a friend ring the doorbell and reward your pup for a calm response. Redirect their nervous doorbell energy by having them lay in a quiet spot or perform commands like sit and stay. When you get a calm response, praise your floof immediately and give him a treat! He will begin to associate the doorbell with the treat, and the ding-dong will no longer be a trigger.

If you’re still concerned about your dog’s triggered response, invite familiar faces to arrive early to the holiday party. Having all his favorite people around will help your dog relax. It will create a positive association between the doorbell and holiday guests. Praise calmly and give your dog treats to reinforce his calm response.

Interactive Toys to the Rescue

Another great idea to keep your dog calm during the holidays is to provide puzzle feeders and interactive toys. Dogs love food as much as we do! Treat-dispensing toys and tricky snuffle mats stimulate your dog’s hunting and foraging responses. This tires them out, mentally and physically, making them more relaxed when guests arrive. Check out some of our favorite snuffle mats and puzzle toy ideas!

Dogs stress out, just like us—they are just better at hiding it! Some telltale signs of stress include yawning, panting, lip licking, pacing, and crying. If your dog seems distressed, limit his interactions by giving him plenty of breaks away from the holiday crush. Offer praise and treats when your dog reacts calmly, and never underestimate the power of loving eye contact and a gentle ear scritch.

Create a “Safe Zone”

We could go on fur-ever about holiday routines for dogs, but we have so much more to cover! Let me leave you with this last idea to help prepare your dog for the upcoming holiday invasion. Create a “safe zone.” This is a space away from the main holiday festivities where your dog can retreat if they’re overwhelmed. We set up my dog’s large cage in the guest bedroom upstairs.  The safe zone can be a quiet room or a familiar crate with a cozy bed, familiar items like toys and blankets, and something that smells like you. (Maybe an old sweaty workout T-shirt or your bathrobe.) Play soothing music and give your dog something to chew on in this safe zone. This way, if Santa’s little helpers are too much, your dog can enjoy his cozy holiday retreat!

Turn the Car Carrier Into a Comfort Zone (Works for Airplane Crates Too!)

Carriers don’t have to be scary for your pup—start early, and you can turn it into their favorite travel hideout. Place treats and toys inside the carrier and take short car trips around the neighborhood. Gradually increase the time your dog spends in their carrier, and switch out the treats frequently to keep their attention. A frozen Kong filled with peanut butter or yogurt can make for a long-lasting but potentially sticky treat.

Plan Travel Breaks Ahead of Time

Planning potty breaks isn’t just for you—it’s for your dog, too! Scout out pet-friendly stops along the way or look for large enclosed grassy areas for your dog to run and play. Love’s Gas Stations, for example, have fenced-in dog parks nationwide that are open 24/7.

Keep IDs and Essentials Handy

Although we always recommend keeping your dog’s microchip and ID tags up-to-date, consider making a temporary tag with your destination address and contact number. This way, if your curious pup pulls a disappearing act, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they can be returned safely, even away from home.

Pack a bag with your dog’s holiday essentials: food, treats, poop bags, leash, harness, wipes, water bottle with built in bowl, toys, and a first aid kit. A good seatbelt harness (this one has been crash tested, but it’s pricey! This one is a nice budget option.  I own both.) or durable pet car seat cover is also a must. Both protect your pup and your car during snowy travels.

Pro Tip: Tire your dog out with a long walk or play session before hitting the road. A tired dog is a calm dog!

Transition: From the Road to the Feast

After a long journey filled with pit stops and pet-friendly adventures, it’s time to gather around the table for the main event: Thanksgiving dinner. While you dig into turkey and stuffing, your pup will undoubtedly be practicing their best “puppy dog eyes.” But before you share your plate, let’s make sure your holiday feast is as safe for them as it is delicious for you. Here’s a quick guide to holiday foods your dog can (and can’t) enjoy!

Safe Foods

• Turkey- Great source of protein for dogs.  Both white and dark meat.
• Sweet Potatoes– High in fiber and Beta Carotene, this is a smart choice, if you want to give your dog some healthy carbs
• Green Beans– Great source of fiber and high in nutrients
• Pumpkin– Helps regulate digestion, high in fiber. 
• Carrots–
• Apples (no seeds)

Foods to Avoid

• Turkey Skin, Bones, and Gravy: (High fat and splintering risk)
• Stuffing: (Contains toxic onions and garlic)
• Casseroles: (Loaded with fatty/sweet ingredients like butter, cream, and sugar)
• Pies and Desserts: (Sugar, nutmeg, and xylitol are highly toxic)

The holidays are all about joy, connection, and a little bit of chaos—and our dogs are right there for it all. Whether you’re preparing your dog for the festivities, hitting the road for holiday travel, or sneaking them a bite of turkey, these tips will help keep their tails wagging and your stress levels low.

As you juggle shopping lists, holiday parties, and family traditions, remember that your dog is your biggest cheerleader and possibly the only guest who won’t critique your cooking. This holiday season, let your pup be the reason you paws and enjoy the simple joys—like a wagging tail, a good snuggle, or the sheer comedy of a dog’s first taste of sweet potato.

Ready to make the holidays magical for your dog? Don’t forget to grab your free Holiday Planner for City Dog Owners! Packed with checklists, enrichment ideas, and safety tips, it’s your ultimate guide to stress-free festivities for you and your pup. Have a howly, jowly holiday season!