Holidays Stressing You Out? Let Your Dog Show You the Way to Simple Joys
photo: AdobeStock
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer…. So goes the song anyway. Here in the real world, you have a million things on your to-do list, shopping to finish, a house to clean, and work piling up. It’s enough to bring out the Scrooge in any of us.
Luckily, dogs don’t care about the holiday rush or rampant consumerism. Instead, they remind us to step back, take a break, and remember what the holiday season truly means. So why not return the favor and cultivate love and joy with your dog during an otherwise dark and wet time of year? Here are some simple games and activities to get you started.
Bake your dog some cookies - or even pie! It’s no secret dogs like to eat, and the way to a dog’s heart is definitely through the stomach. If you’re new to baking for your dog, start off with something simple like Tuna Fudge. It’s easy and dogs go nuts for it: link to video #1 here. Or if you want to get fancier, try making a doggie pumpkin pie: link to video #2 here. It’s a great way to unwind and, unlike, cooking for a human audience, there’s no pressure to be perfect. You dropped it on the floor? Even better!
Play tug with your dog. Tug is a great game to play with your dog that also allows them to exercise in a tiny space. Because the game involves you both, it’s good for relationship building, plus it gives you a way to meet your dog’s predatory desires while making sure no squirrels are harmed. Contrary to popular belief, tug does not cause your dog to become aggressive and you don’t need to make sure you always win the game (who wants to play a game you never get to win!?). If your dog gets too excited or mouthy during tug play, find a trainer to help you develop your tug play skills.
Pick out a movie and snuggle up with your dog on the couch. Dogs are social animals and often enjoy time near and around their humans. Make the environment cozy and invite your dog up on the couch to snuggle. Tuck her under a blanket if she likes that (I’m talking to all you Pit Bull and Chihuahua owners out there) and soak in the oxytocin as you both get cozy together. Encouraging your dog to sleep and rest is important for canine health and well-being so this activity does double duty. If your dog isn’t the cuddling type, offer her a cozy space where she can rest nearby.
Take a car ride with your dog. If your dog enjoys the car, a ride can be a great way to get a little stimulation on a cold night. Crack the windows so your dog can take in the different scents. For a special treat, hit up a drive-through and order off the menu…meat patty, no salt please, for my furry friend here. Your dog will thank you tenfold.
Play house games. Dogs love games! And there are so many you can play just in your living room. Have you tried hide and seek? Toss some food in one room and while your dog is eating it, run and hide. Call his name, and when he finds you, drop some more food for him and hide in a new spot. Hide and seek also has the benefit of improving your dog’s recall. Another fun one is ‘floor is lava.’ Find some sturdy items that can support your dog’s weight, set up the game, and use food treats to motivate your dog to try it out. Coaching client Fred shows you how to play that one here.
Try out a scent game. Dogs love doing nose work to sniff out treats and rewards. Sniffing is a great activity that tires out a dog’s brain and leaves them happy and content. This one’s easy to set up and get started. Just collect some cardboard boxes and place a few treats in them. Then toss the boxes on the ground and let your dog use her nose to find and eat the treats. Find details and directions for setting up the scent game here.
Dogs appreciate the simple things and always remind us to be present in the moment. So, if the season is stressing you out, just take a deep breath and let your canine pal show you the way. Together, you can bring a bit more of that true holiday spirit into both of your lives.