Holiday Dog Care: Tips to Make the Holidays Easy with Your Pet
While the holiday season can be such a fun and special time, holiday dog care can be challenging for pet owners. If you have a dog that struggles with anxiety or other behavioral issues, you know the stress that this time can bring. From holiday parties with new faces to unfamiliar environments, the chaos can be hard on even the calmest pets. As professional in-home pet sitters in the San Francisco area, we want to walk you through some of the key things that you can do to help prepare your pet for this season and manage the holiday stress. A little preparation and the right support can make the holidays so much more peaceful for both you and your dogs.
Keeping an Eye Out for Signs of Anxiety in Your Dog
As we approach the holidays, one of the best things you can do is monitor your dog for signs of anxiety. Being able to spot these signs allows you to accommodate them best and avoid a potential outburst. With all the excitement going on with new people, music, and different routines, it can be easy for your dog to become overwhelmed. Here’s what you want to look out for:
Excessive Panting or Drooling: consistently even when they aren’t exercising or playing.
Pacing or Restlessness: they’re unable to sit still and are consistently pacing around the room or the house.
Destructive Behaviors: chewing on furniture, or scratching/digging at doors or other areas.
Whining or Barking: they begin to get vocal to try and self-soothe.
Attempting to hide: they look for places in your home to retreat to, like under the bed.
Spotting these behaviors early is an important part of effective holiday dog care and will be a huge help in managing their stress and keeping them calm during the holiday events.
The Main Areas of Concern for Pet Owners During the Holidays
Many ‘triggering’ stressors can affect dogs during the holiday season, but especially dogs who experience reactivity issues or extreme anxiety. There are three main areas we want to talk through where the holiday activities may cause more stress than usual.
1. Holiday Gatherings
When it comes to holiday dog care, holiday gatherings are one of the most common sources of stress. Whether it be a small dinner get-together with friends, a day of celebration with family, or a New Year's party, these moments can be particularly challenging for sensitive dogs. But, there are a few things we recommend you do to make these times easier on your pet:
Pre-Event Crate Training Refresher
If you have a dog who’s been crate trained, now is a great time to give that training a little refresh. Consider putting their training cues back in practice a few weeks leading up to your events and getting them used to their comfortable crate environment again. The reason we love doing this is because it provides them with a safe space to retreat to, that’s one hundred percent their own when the holiday activities get to be too much. Maybe you notice that having multiple people around the house is causing your dog to start panting, whining, and pacing, or even growling or hiding under furniture. This is a great time to guide them to their crate for a low-stimulation break, ideally in a quiet room away from the festivities. Not only will this make them feel better, but it will also give you peace of mind that you’re reducing their exposure to potential triggers.
Create a Quiet Space
Going hand-in-hand with the crate training, it’s a good idea to create a space within your home that is reserved just for your dog. This is a great way to keep them relaxed and offer a sense of normalcy. Whether it be your bedroom, the office, or a guest room, bring all their familiar comforts–their bedding, favorite toys, a blanket that smells like you, and maybe even some white noise or calming music to block out the other noise around the house.
Give Them Exercise Before Your Guests Show Up
One of the best things you can do before your friends and family arrive is to allow your dog to get some energy out. A dog that’s well exercised is typically calmer and more relaxed, which is exactly what we want to aim for when changes are coming. Maybe you offer a fun play session in the backyard or take them for a long walk. Both of these activities are great for mental and physical stimulation.
2. Holiday Dog Care: Traveling WITH your dog
Do you have a family member or friend hosting holiday festivities in a different town or state? In this case, you’ll need to decide on whether you’ll be bringing your dog with you, or finding care for them while you’re gone. Keep in mind, that traveling with a sensitive dog that has behavioral or reactivity issues can be tricky, but with careful planning, it can be done. Here are some things you need to keep in mind:
How Comfortable Would They Be with Travel?
If your dog has specific triggers that will be present when you’re traveling (loud noises, lots of people, other dogs, plane/train/car sickness) then taking them on a trip may not be the best idea. Although it can be hard to leave your dog home when you go away, it can save both of you so much stress.
Pack Their Essentials
Dogs are routine animals, and traveling can throw these routines off. To keep things as familiar as possible, make sure you pack all their necessities (their food, toys, blankets, favorite treats, etc.). This may take up extra space but it will be so worth it to make their new surroundings less intimidating.
Look for Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Will you be staying with family and friends? Communication is key here. If you have concerns about your dog’s anxiety, chat with them about these concerns so you can figure out the best course of action when you arrive. Talking through your plans with them will allow them to best accommodate you and your pet.
If you’re not staying with friends or family, make sure you’re choosing accommodations that are pet-friendly. It’s so important to check on this in advance so you’re not scrambling at the last minute to find another place to stay during the peak holiday season.
3. Holiday Dog Care: Traveling WITHOUT your dog
While it can be rewarding to bring your dog with you on your travel plans, it’s just not a realistic option for many and can cause more stress than necessary. Finding reliable and trustworthy care for your dog while you're gone will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your time away.
In-Home Pet Sitting vs. Boarding Options
Boarding your dog at a trusted facility can be a good option if they do well with new environments and socializing with other dogs. In-home pet sitters on the other hand, like our team at Grand & Graham Pets based in San Francisco, are a great option for dogs who thrive on structure and familiarity. If your dog has specific care needs or behavioral issues that require special attention, it’s important to find a sitter or care team that has experience in these areas and understands the importance of providing them the care they need. At Grand and Graham Pets, our sitters are well versed in separation anxiety, dog-reactivity, medication management, and enrichment and we’re passionate about providing personalized care for your pets to keep them as comfortable as possible while you’re gone.
When planning holiday dog care, it’s important to keep your dog’s needs and personality top of mind.
Holiday Pet Care: When to Check in with Your Vet
If you’re a parent to a dog with behavioral issues, it’s always a good idea to check in with your vet leading up to the holiday season. Walk them through your holiday plans and the accommodations you have in mind for your dog. In some cases for dogs with severe anxiety, they can offer short-term medication options that you can administer to your dog in certain stressful situations. They’ll be able to walk you through options that are safe, effective, and specific to your dog’s unique needs. Even if medication isn’t necessary, they may also have great recommendations for natural calming supplements to make things easier on your pet.
A Stress-Free Holiday for You and Your Dog
The holiday season can bring so much joy, but sometimes a little bit of stress. We hope this guide helps to ease some of the anxiety you may have about holiday dog care. By preparing in advance, staying attentive to their needs, and choosing an appropriate care option when you need to travel, you can enjoy the holidays with your dog to the fullest while keeping your dog calm and comfortable.
And if you’re interested in exploring in-home pet care for your dog this upcoming season, get in touch with us! Our experienced team in San Francisco specializes in helping reactive and anxious dogs feel at ease. We’re happy to chat more about how we can best support you and your pets while you’re away from home, and we wish you all a joyful holiday season!
