We are entering the Christmas season and as we get into the hustle and bustle of preparations it is important to consider our four-legged "family members"!
Christmas can be an exciting and stressful time for our dogs. They may be anxious with some changes in the dynamics of their home, the festivities, other people at home, decorations and new aromas, can translate into fear and/or discomfort for your 4-legged family member.
To ensure that your canine companion has a stress-free eve and Christmas day, here are some tips to make this season more special for both of you!
1. Creates a safe place:
Create a quiet and comfortable space where your dog can go if he doesn't know how to deal with the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
It can be a room designed for this purpose with his bed, mental stimulation toys and the water bowl.
I also suggest placing a camera to check how hi's doing in addition to sensitizing family members about the need for space he needs on this day.
2. Introduce Christmas decorations gradually:
The sudden placement of Christmas decorations can be confusing for dogs.
Introduce the festive decorations gradually so that you get used to it, in this way we avoid an overload of visual and olfactory stimuli to which you may not be used - it gives your dog time to get used to it.
Don't forget to put in a safe place (out of reach) ornaments that can be dangerous.
3. Maintains the routine:
Try to keep the schedule of the daily walks, play, food, rest and training as normal as possible!
Consistency and predictability provide a sense of safety and normality, especially to anxious dogs.
At this time - and especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - increase the relaxing walks and adapt the mental stimulation.
4. Supplements and medication:
There are supplements on the market that help calm your dog at these times, such as: pheromone diffusers, aromatherapy or CBD.
These products can provide a sense of safety and comfort to anxious dogs.
If the anxiety is extreme, consult the attending veterinarian, he can recommend situational medication, and if necessary rule out any underlying health problems that contribute to the internal state of your paw.
5. Negative stimuli:
Identify the stimuli that can trigger anxiety in your dog, whether they are loud sounds or certain people, knowing what causes stress allows you to implement targeted strategies to relieve the anxiety he may present.
6. Consistent communication:
Being consistent in the way you communicate and interact helps your dog feel safe.
Use a calm and comforting tone of voice and pay attention to his body language.
Something I teach all my students is the exercise of the bed (or mat) that precisely helps your dog to relax on these occasions!
Finally, don't leave your partner alone at Christmas, if your plans can't include him, leave him with a family member with whom he feels calm and safe. Because, no one deserves to spend Christmas alone!
But... if it is not possible, leave ambient music to camouflage the sounds of other houses or the street, in addition to providing relaxing activities before leaving him alone.
Remember that each dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for the other!
Adapt these suggestions to the individual needs of your dog so that they can spend a more relaxed and happy Christmas with a lot of love and joy! 🤗