November Pupdate: Prepare Your Dog for Holiday Guests

The holidays often mean family gatherings and visits from friends, but the added excitement can be overwhelming for your dog. It’s important to prepare them so that everyone, including your pup, can enjoy the festivities. Here’s how to help your dog feel calm and confident when visitors arrive, with three short videos to guide you.

Practice Calm Greetings

Teach your dog to sit calmly when guests enter the house. Use treats and positive reinforcement to reward them for staying seated. This helps prevent jumping and encourages polite behavior.

Watch: Holiday Manners Mini Series: Go to KLIMB

In this video, you’ll learn the basics of guiding your dog to their KLIMB or bed as soon as the doorbell rings. This gives them a specific “place” to go when guests arrive, helping them stay calm right from the start.

Create a Safe Space

If your dog tends to get anxious or overexcited with lots of people around, provide them with a quiet, safe space where they can relax. The KLIMB can act as a designated area where your dog can settle and observe the action from a distance.

Watch: Holiday Manners Mini Series: Stay on KLIMB

This video focuses on helping your dog learn to stay on the KLIMB even with distractions. It’s an ideal way to create a predictable spot for them to unwind and observe without getting involved in every movement or guest interaction.

Keep Things Predictable

Sticking to routines can help reduce your dog’s stress during the holiday rush. Feed and walk your dog at the same times each day, even when you have guests, to create a sense of normalcy.

Watch: Holiday Manners Mini Series: Leave It

Finally, this video teaches the “Leave it” command, which can be helpful if your dog is tempted by holiday décor or snacks. Reinforcing this behavior helps them focus on you and stay calm, avoiding unwanted interactions with holiday extras.

With these simple strategies and the added guidance from our video series, your dog will be well-prepared to handle holiday visitors, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone.