How to Make the Holidays Less Stressful for Your Dog

The holidays can be stressful for people, with buying presents, hosting and attending Christmas parties, and decorating the house. Maybe you even plan to do some travelling to visit family. When you’re stressed out during these hectic times, your pet is also affected. Fortunately, there are some things you can do for your dog to make the holidays as relaxing as possible:

Schedule Daily Walks

The days are getting shorter and temperatures are dropping. This doesn’t exactly make going for a walk appealing, especially if you’re feeling cold despite wearing a cozy winter jacket. Some dogs may even prefer to lie by your feet at the fireplace instead of bracing the great outdoors. That doesn’t mean you should skip outside time, even if there are plenty of things that you must get done that day.

Taking your dog for a walk ensures that he can get some energy out and breathe in some brisk air. Being outside will help both of you feel alert and refreshed, and if you’re particularly stressed, it can even clear your head. Another bonus: your house will feel even warmer once you get back inside, and you probably don’t have to turn the heater up as high as you normally do. If you don’t a lot of time to go for a long stroll, you should at least take a brisk walk around the block. Even 10 minutes is better than nothing.

Encourage Activity in Your Dog

Dogs and kids tend to get into trouble when they’re bored. Lying around by the fireplace might sound like fun, but your dog isn’t going to be happy doing that all day long. In fact, if you don’t ensure that your dog has active playtime, it won’t be long until he starts playing with the things he shouldn’t. And after you worked so hard to get him to stop chewing your shoes, it’s not a good idea to let boredom creep in and tempt him into naughtiness.

If you don’t have time to go for an extended walk, you can play a quick game of catch in the yard with your dog. You don’t even have to do the running if you don’t want to. You can use a frisbee to cover a greater distance and keep your dog entertained with running back and forth. You’ll be glad you did it.

Plan Your Travels

The holidays are a popular time to visit family and friends you don’t normally get to see. Family reunions can be a fun, but not always for your dog. Depending on where you’re going, it might be possible to take your dog with you. If they’re well-behaved, trained to walk on a leash, and not too nervous when they find themselves in unfamiliar situations, they make great travel companions.

To take your dog with you, you must plan ahead. Not every hotel accepts dogs, and your relatives may not want to have a dog in their house for various reasons. If you’re only leaving for a weekend, it may be better to leave your dog at home, because it involves less stress for everyone. You can find a dog sitter to feed them and play with them.

If you’re gone for more than a few days, it might be advisable to have someone stay in your house the entire time, too. This way, there’s something there to get the mail and keep your house safe, too. If you can’t find anyone you trust that much, you can always find a reputable boarding place. The sooner you make a reservation, the better, because their spots will fill up fast over the holidays.

Give Them Space

It’s common to host holiday parties for the season, and they usually include good food, great company, and lots of laughter. While that sounds like fun for you and your friends and family, it can make some dogs feel overwhelmed. You know your dog best, and if they’re just not that into people, it’s a good idea to keep them in a safe space. That could be your bedroom, which should be off-limits to guests. However, you should make sure that your dog can do his business outside during his usual times. You should also ensure that he has food and water available in addition to his favorite toys.

Now that you know how you can make things easier for your dog, it’s time to relax and enjoy the festivities. Merry Christmas!