Calming Fido's Holiday Fears: A Specialist’s Tips for a Stress-Free Season
With a few easy steps, preparing for the pending chaos can help ease holiday anxiety. photo: AdobeStock
The holidays are filled with fun, food, and festivities. But for many dogs, new experiences like fireworks, travel, and house guests can turn this time of year into a stressful mess.
As a dog behavior specialist, I see an uptick in anxious dogs around the holidays every year. Anxiety in dogs can manifest itself in whining, panting, pacing, inappropriate urination, destructive behavior, and even aggressive behavior.
The good news is that you can smooth your dog's transition to the holiday hustle and bustle. By mitigating stressors and helping your dog remain calm, you’ll be able to avoid unwanted behaviors and health risks resulting from anxiety.
With just a bit of preparation and training, you and your pup can enjoy a safe, happy holiday season together. Read on for guidance on how to keep your holidays from going to the dogs!
Handling Fireworks and Loud Noises
Loud noises can be very frightening for dogs, and they often become anxious and agitated during fireworks shows that take place around New Year’s Eve or other winter celebrations. Here are steps you can take to help minimize your dog's stress and keep them comfortable when loud bangs are inevitable.
Provide a safe space. Allow your dog access to an enclosed, insulated room in your home with blankets and toys where they can retreat when noises start up. Close windows and curtains to muffle the sounds.
Play ambient music or white noise. Soothing music or steady white noise from a sound machine can help mask abrupt loud bangs and pops.
Consider non-prescription science-backed supplements. D.A.P. diffusers release calming dog-appeasing pheromones, while Zylkene is an over-the-counter supplement that can help reduce anxiety in dogs.
Counter condition your dog to loud noises by playing the "treat party" game. When you hear fireworks begin, say "Treat party!" in a happy, excited voice, then run to the fridge and dole out a special high-value food like cream cheese or lunch meat.
Ask your vet about medications. If your dog is still experiencing anxiety, your veterinarian may prescribe situational anxiety medications to use when fireworks are expected.
In short, be prepared as a pet parent to manage your dog's experience when loud noises occur. With preparation, you can get through the holiday fireworks season smoothly together.
Holiday Travel Tips
The holidays often involve travel, whether it's driving to visit family or heading out on a quick vacation. For dogs, being in unfamiliar places and surrounded by new sights, sounds, and smells can sometimes cause anxiety. Here are some tips to make travel as smooth and comfortable as possible for your furry companion.
Practice with their carrier. Let them regularly spend time in their travel crate or carrier so it feels safe and familiar. Take them on short car rides around the block.
Bring items that smell like home. Pack their regular bedding and toys to provide a sense of comfort.
Maintain regular feeding schedules. As best you can, stick to the same times you normally feed them every day while on the road.
Properly identify them. Pets should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your contact information and be microchipped in case they get lost during travel.
Make regular stops. When driving long distances, stop every few hours so your dog can get out of the car to relieve themselves and walk around on a leash.
Check pet policies. Call ahead to confirm your hotel or rental home allows pets. Even ones that advertise themselves as pet friendly may limit size or numbers.
With a bit of planning and preparation, you can enjoy holiday travel with your dog by your side. Just focus on meeting their routine needs as much as possible while on-the-go.
Hosting Holiday Parties
The holiday season usually means more house guests, family events, and parties. While undeniably exciting, all that additional commotion can quickly become overwhelming for pets not used to crowds. Here are some tips to keep your dog comfortable and calm when hosting holiday gatherings.
Set up a quiet space. Allow your dog access to a low-traffic room with water, toys, and a bed where they can relax undisturbed. Close it off from partygoers, and put a sign on the door asking guests not to open it.
Send them to daycare. Some dogs do better leaving the house entirely. See if your local daycare offers holiday boarding if you’re expecting a crowd.
Mind the food and drinks. Keep appetizers and alcoholic beverages out of your dog's reach to avoid consumption of unhealthy or toxic items.
Provide puzzle toys. Stuff a food puzzle toy with your dog's kibble or treats to keep them mentally engaged in another room during the party.
Stick to schedules. Try to feed and walk your dog at their normal times as best you can with the holiday disruptions.
Limit guests. If your dog is very anxious around strangers, opt for smaller gatherings with familiar friends and family.
With a few modifications, you can show your guests holiday hospitality without creating undue chaos for your furry friend. Just give a thought to your dog’s needs as part of your party planning.
The holidays can be a fun but hectic time of year for all of us. By being prepared and proactive, you can prevent your dog's holiday anxiety and nervousness from spiraling into full-blown behavior problems. Remember, consistency is key. Stick to your dog's routine as much as possible despite holiday disruptions.
I hope these tips give you a head start on managing noise, travel, guests, and more with greater confidence. Here’s to a happy, low-stress holiday for you and your dogs. Let the festivities begin!