Spending time with loved ones makes for a merry holiday season. But along with the holiday bliss can come holiday stress, for both you and Rover. With a little planning and consistent training, you’ll find the holidays to be more festive and less chaotic for you and your dog. To make sure your dog is well mannered and enjoys the party, here are a few training suggestions you might want to implement.
Tip #1: Train in advance. If you will be traveling for the holidays, or be the one entertaining, you want to be sure that your dog is socialized and well behaved well ahead of time. Every dog should have a firm grasp on the following basic commands: Sit, Stay, Down, Come, and Leave It. If you need assistance with the task, attend an obedience class or hire a trainer.
Tip #2: Make Rover feel at home. Whether you’re entertaining guests in your home or taking your dog into someone else’s home, it’s your responsibility to make Rover feel comfortable. Since there will be a considerable amount of change and activity, plan regular quiet and relaxing time with your dog. He really needs your attention and will find solace in a dependable routine. Therefore…
Tip #3: Stick to a regular schedule. Dogs are creatures of habit and do very well when they have a consistent routine. They can start feeling anxious when too much change happens, like guests rolling through town or lots of holiday excursions. Despite the season’s hubbub, do your best to keep your dogs routine as regular as possible, including meal times, walks, play times, and other regular happenings. Make it a priority to balance all the festivities with Rover’s regular schedule.
Tip #4: Provide plenty of exercise. A tired dog is always a good dog! No matter what else is on the agenda, it’s a good idea to exercise your dog in the morning and take him on frequent walks throughout the day. This will help keep him calm and relaxed and let him burn off the extra energy caused by all the holiday excitement. Encourage your friends and family to go along on walks to encourage bonding with Rover.
Tip #5: Train polite door greetings. Too much excitement at the door, whether it be door dashing or incessant jumping, can really be a problem during the holidays. Work hard ahead of time on “Sit” and “Down” whenever the doorbell rings. If your dog already struggles in this area, be sure to practice, practice, practice! Practice having him “stay” on his bed until the guest has come into the house. If your dog suffers from over excitement and can’t resist jumping, have your guests turn their backs to the dog. Make sure they don’t make eye contact or give any attention to Rover until he calms down. This is a tough habit to break, but if you’re consistent and persistent, it can happen.
Tip #6: Don’t allow or reward begging. The holiday season is always accompanied by lots and lots of food. All the extra goodies can be a serious temptation for your dog and provide ample opportunities for Rover to beg. To deal with this issue, make sure you have something to divert your dog from begging for table scraps or extra food. A Kong or special bone can occupy his appetite while you and your guests are enjoying a meal or other holiday goodies. It also helps to feed Rover before everyone else sits down, so his stomach is already full. Give the same size portion as usual and make sure he is not over-excited when you feed him.
Tip #7: Teach your guests to be trainers. This can be a very effective way of working on training with your dog while helping your guests have positive interactions with him. Visitors can reinforce the training techniques mentioned above while providing extra socialization for Rover.
Keep the holiday season happy by keeping a close eye on your dog. Be alert for stressful behavior, such as timidity or stiff body language. If your dog is prone to fear or aggression, this is not the time to take a chance that he will react negatively to a visitor.
If you haven’t yet trained your dog to enjoy chill time in his private crate, now is a great time to do so. It sure beats dealing with an “accident” after it happens.
Happy Howlidays!
If you feel overwhelmed, just remember to focus on what Rover is doing correctly. In time, the more you train, the more long term your dog will listen. Don’t be afraid to speak to your vet about their recommendations on the benefits of over-the-counter remedies (such as Rescue Remedy) if your dog is already super-excitable or anxious.
These are all great skills for your dog to learn and work on, not only during the holidays, but year round. If they are trained properly, your dog will be relaxed and calm during this time of year. It will help prevent unruly and inappropriate behavior and above all else, will create wonderful times over the holiday season!
Joustin Cordary is the founder of Running with Rover, a well-reviewed dog-walking company in San Francisco. Joustin was raised on a 45-acre working ranch in Colorado. After a decade-long career in marketing, he decided to return to his passion for animals by offering a dependable dog-walking service for city dog owners. Learn more at www.runningwithrover.com.
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Main article photo by: M Rocket
