Holiday Gathering Hacks That Help
Holidays are the time we most want to be with our loved ones. It’s no surprise, then, that dog guardians want to include our pets in the holiday festivities. Unfortunately, that may feel like an overwhelming prospect for many people. It doesn’t have to be.
With a little planning and management techniques designed to calm puppies and dogs, most canines can enjoy parties with us.
If your dog is fearful, anxious or reactive towards people, they will likely be more comfortable in a quiet space away from the excitement where you can check on them periodically.
If your puppy’s house training, I recommend using an airline carrier rather than a crate for calming confinement, so you can see and hear when they’re restless (often a sign they need to relieve themselves). Keep the carrier next to you or between your feet and give your pup things to do in there like safe chews, a stuffed Kong or favorite toy.
The following recommendations assume your pup is already comfortable in a crate with the door closed. If they’re not there yet, save the crate-related suggestions for another time and plan to keep your furry family member on-leash during the gathering, instead. Everything else applies as written.
The links at the bottom offer a selection of easy, fun enrichment games you can play on a patio, balcony, gym, office or bedroom. You could even play in a garage when the weather’s bad. Your goal is to be far enough from the bustle of the gathering for your pup to focus on you and enjoy the interaction. If they’re too close, the distraction can be overwhelming.
Changing Things We Can Control
Our energy when we engage with our dogs has a huge impact on their disposition. A relaxed, enjoyable interaction between you communicates to your puppy or dog that you’re not anxious and there’s nothing to be anxious about.
Conversely, if we’re irritable that we’re having to engage with our dogs when we’d rather be engaging with guests, or we’re concerned about the food that’s cooking or we’re simply not present in the moment we’re engaging with them, any positive impact from your interaction will be noticeably reduced.
The Power of New
Nothing depletes dog mental and physical energy like novel reward treats and play experiences. Some of the games on the videos at the links, below, might be similar to other games you’ve played previously, but not exactly. That’s enough to interest most puppies and dogs.
A lot of benefit comes from engaging dogs in novel locations. Anywhere that’s safe and convenient but rarely used for enrichment is fair game.
Agency Counts
Play enrichment games off-leash whenever possible, to maximize the return on your time and effort by maximizing your pup’s ability to choose to participate. If you have to leave the leash on, consider allowing your pup to drag it (don’t hold the leash in your band) during enrichment engagement.
Better Leashed Than Sorry
Before rejoining the party, secure the leash to the harness and walk your puppy or dog indoors, as if you were on a busy sidewalk.
Follow loose-leash protocols in the first hour of your gathering when excitement will be highest. Walking next to you explains that the leash protocol is in effect AND helps to calm and guide puppies and dogs.
Enrichment Applications
I recommend playing enrichment games both preemptively and in response to a puppy or dog becoming overly aroused.
Preemptive Engagement
Start with a 1 – 5 minute enrichment session, 10 – 30 minutes before your guests are due to arrive (in addition to a longer than usual sniffari that morning, not in place of it).
Repeat prior to sitting down to eat and whenever you need a break from dog duty. Crate with a high-value chew afterwards.
Post-Arousal Engagement
If your pup begins barking, lunging or jumping, or if a guest is having difficulty ignoring them so they can relax, take your puppy or dog for an enrichment session as soon as possible after a reaction. The closer the engagement happens after a reaction the more informative it will be for dogs.
What Comes Next?
If your plan is to crate after enrichment, practice calming cues like “place,” “down,” “stay” and “watch me” for a minute or 2 at the end of your enrichment session.
End enrichment sessions with something for your pup to do/give them direction.
Options:
- Crate with a high-value chew, stuffed food toy (Toppl, Kong, lick mat), snuffle mat, etc.
- Cue your pup to go to their “place” and “stay.” Sit next to them and offer a chew.
Preparation is Key to Success
- Prepare treat jars and distribute around the house and wherever you plan to engage with your pup during the gathering. Novel treats they LOVE but rarely enjoy usually have the most impact.
- Prepare stuffed Toppls, Kongs, etc., in advance. Keep in the fridge or freezer for easy delivery.
- Store a supply of lasting, high-value, short and long lasting chews near the crate for the party.
- Keep a towel on top of the crate to cover the front when it’s time for a nap or to interrupt barking. Play “Red Light, Green Light” if your pup continues barking in the crate.
- Have the flirt pole, tugs, ball & bucket, training treats and poop bags in the areas you plan to use for enrichment.
Enrichment Games and Activities
Indoor Games