 The holidays are a wonderful time to gather with loved ones and celebrate the end of the year. With joy and excitement filling the air, all the hustle and bustle can really shake up our usual routines, and our dogs can feel it too!
I often have clients come to me after the holidays saying, "My dog has started doing X behaviour and we don't know why." Sound familiar? If you make a change to your dog’s daily routine, rest assured that new behaviours are normal! And here’s why: many dogs are sensitive to changes in their environment. When they lose the structure of their comfortable daily routine, they may take on new behaviours as a coping mechanism to adapt to their changing environment. And guess what? It comes out in new behaviours—like jumping, barking, or just generally losing their cool. So, as we head into this holiday season, here are a few tactics that can help you help your dog navigate the change and keep their stress levels (and yours) in check! Tip #1: Stick to Your Routine as Much as Possible We all know the holiday season tends to be a whirlwind of extra activity—more visitors, different schedules, louder noises, and, of course, more distractions. With this, one of the best things you can do for your dog is to try and maintain as much of their regular routine as possible. Dogs thrive on consistency. Feeding times, potty breaks, and exercise should remain predictable. If you’re someone who likes to take a stroll every morning at 8 a.m., try to stick to that routine—even if you’re running around doing last-minute holiday shopping or preparing the house for company. I like to encourage dog owners to add these events into their calendar or to set reminders to ensure their dogs maintain a routine as much as possible. Amongst the activity of the holidays, a peaceful walk with your dog is a wonderful way for you to destress, too! Tip #2: The "Place" Command is Your Dog's Safe Haven The "place" command is one of the most effective tools for helping your dog handle the holiday season with ease. Think of it like an "invisible crate"—your dog has the freedom to move, but they must stay within the boundaries of their designated spot until released. Unlike a "stay," which requires your dog to remain in one position, the "place" command allows them the freedom to sit, stand, or lie down, but not to leave the designated space. The beauty of the "place" command is that it becomes a safe retreat for your dog during times of stress or chaos. For instance, when guests arrive or when you're preparing for the holiday dinner, your dog can go to their "place" and relax in peace. This gives them a break from the overstimulation of the festivities, providing a space where they can feel calm and secure. If you want to teach your dog the "place" command and transform their response to holiday chaos, I’d love to help! It’s a valuable skill that gives both you and your dog the ability to enjoy the holiday season together—without the stress. Connect with our team who can help you create a relaxed space for your dog this holiday season! Tip #3: Lick Mats and Scent Searches as Calming Activities Now, I know you’ve likely seen all the cute holiday ads for dog toys and goodies, but there are some seriously effective ways to keep your dog calm during the hustle and bustle of the season. One of my favorites is using lick mats. These mats are an excellent way to engage your dog’s mind and calm them down. There are several options you can use on these mats. The easy one is peanut butter, but you can also try mashed banana, applesauce, pumpkin puree, raw food, or canned dog food—get creative and mix a few of your dog’s favourites! Once you spread it on the mat, consider freezing it for an extra-long-lasting activity. Voilà—your dog will be happily licking away, occupied and calm. Another fantastic option is scent work. If you’ve ever wondered how to engage your dog mentally while burning off that extra holiday energy, scent detection is your answer. Hide some treats around the house and let your dog use their nose to find them. Not only does it provide great mental stimulation, but it also helps reduce stress. The concentration and focus needed for sniffing are exactly what your dog needs to take their mind off the busy environment around them. If you find your dog loves the activity of scent work, we have two scent detection courses to further explore this fun and engaging work! Trust us, they’re a heck of a lot of fun. 4. Tip #4: Guests? Let's Make Sure the Greeting is Calm With additional guests coming and leaving your home, your dog might be extra excited to greet visitors. To help manage this, be sure to set your dog up to successfully greet people calmly. Teach them to stay in their “place” command until it’s their turn to meet the guests. This prevents them from rushing to the door every time it opens and keeps the atmosphere relaxed. Remember, the more calm and collected you are, the more your dog will feel comfortable. A calm owner leads to a calm dog (most of the time, anyway—dogs are still dogs!) Tip #5: Keep Your Dog's Mind and Body Engaged The holiday season is busy, so it is important to still prioritize your dog’s exercise needs. Just like you would ensure your kids get their daily dose of playtime, your dog needs theirs too. Whether it’s a quick walk after dinner or a good play session, keeping their body and mind engaged will help burn off any pent-up energy and give them something to focus on. After all, a tired dog is usually a well-behaved and less-stressed dog. Wrapping It All Up Holiday stress is real—not just for you but for your dog too. By sticking to routines, utilizing calming tools like the “place” command, and offering mental and physical outlets, you can help your dog navigate the holiday excitement with ease. If all else fails, remember that dogs have a magical way of teaching us the importance of slowing down and enjoying the simple things—like a good lick mat or a game of “find the treats.” So this holiday season, let’s give our dogs a break from the stress of change and provide them with the tools to remain calm and collected, while enjoying the holiday festivities with the family! Happy holidays, and may your home be filled with both joy and well-behaved pups!  Building a strong relationship with our dogs is not just about companionship; it forms the foundation for effective training and mutual understanding. Just like in human relationships, setting fair boundaries and expectations is crucial for a harmonious interaction. When we establish a relationship based on trust and respect, we create a framework where our dogs can learn what behaviours are appropriate and which ones are not. Trust Through Fair Boundaries In any relationship, boundaries are essential. They provide a clear structure for interaction and ensure that both parties understand what is expected of them. With our dogs, setting fair boundaries means guiding them gently but firmly towards desirable behaviours. When giving a command, it's important to do so clearly, with confidence. This means you're not asking your dog to do something; you're telling them! A strong bond is built when your dog looks to you for guidance, showing they trust your direction. If your dog doesn't follow the command, guide them into the position you asked for on the first try, ensuring clarity without needing a second attempt or treat. I always encourage clients to communicate with their dogs using the firm, fast, and fair method. By using the 3 F’s—Fast, Firm, and Fair—you can effectively guide your dog, building a strong and trusting bond. The Fast, Firm and Fair Method Fast: Timing is everything. When your dog doesn’t behave the way you want, respond quickly so they know exactly what you're addressing. This is true for both good and bad behaviour—catching the moment ensures your dog connects their actions with your response. If you're slow, they might not understand why you're stepping in. Firm: Communicating with confidence and clarity is key. I don’t negotiate or plead with my dog; I tell them what to do. Being firm means setting expectations, not asking for them. Your dog should know that when you give a command, you mean it. It's about being clear and confident without crossing into harshness—firm doesn’t mean unfair, just no room for confusion. Fair: Fairness is context-dependent. I won’t correct a dog for not following a command they haven’t learned, but if my dog knows "sit" and ignores me, I will follow through and guide them into the position. There’s no option for a second try or treat at that moment. Being fair means balancing the consequence with the situation—like at work, where your boss would correct a small mistake without extreme measures, but a serious offense would lead to more significant action. By keeping things proportionate, you build trust and a healthy relationship with your dog. Correcting Behaviour with Compassion Correcting behaviour is another aspect where a strong relationship comes into play. As a trainer who works with a variety of dogs, it is not my place to correct your dog because there is no established relationship between us. Correction, when necessary, should come from someone the dog trusts and respects—usually the owner. There are exceptions to this rule, particularly in situations where I perceive a danger to others. In such cases, I may step in, but this typically involves dogs that are confident enough to handle the correction without it damaging their trust. It saddens me to hear from clients who have previously worked with trainers who lacked the patience to guide them through the training process and instead resorted to harsh corrections. Often, these corrections are delivered to nervous dogs who are already struggling with anxiety. The result is heartbreaking: a dog who is "shut down," cowering in fear and unwilling to work. This approach not only damages the dog’s trust but also hinders their ability to learn and grow. Play as a Relationship Building and Bonding Tool Play is a powerful tool for building relationships with our dogs. Games like tug-of-war and fetch not only provide physical exercise but also teach important lessons in impulse control and obedience. Before engaging in play, it's beneficial to ensure that our dogs demonstrate self-control and stop when asked. This reinforces their understanding of boundaries and enhances their responsiveness to commands during playtime. Looking Forward: The Importance of Continuous Learning As a dog trainer, I am constantly seeking new knowledge and techniques to improve my relationship with dogs. I am excited to attend a seminar this month focusing on play, where I hope to deepen my understanding of how play can further strengthen the bond between dogs and handlers. I will share my reflections in another post! A Lifelong Partnership By nurturing a strong relationship with our dogs, we cultivate loyalty and cooperation. A well-trained dog who respects boundaries is not only a joy to be around, but also a reliable companion. When dogs trust that we have their best interests at heart and will guide them safely, they are more willing to follow our lead. Ultimately, investing in our relationship with our dogs pays off in loyalty, obedience, and a deep bond that enriches both our lives. Building a relationship with our dogs based on trust, fair boundaries, and constructive play is not just about training; it's about fostering a partnership that lasts a lifetime. Found these tips helpful? Save this article to reference later, or send to someone who may find it useful! |
Meet the authorAnna Marie Stewart, DTTA-CPDT, is the owner and founder of Instinct Canine Training in Burlington, Ontario. Her passion and love of dogs is evident to anyone who works with her, and is an experienced trainer who works with a variety of clients to achieve a well-mannered dog. Categories
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