‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!’

-said no person or pet who has ever suffered from any sort of anxiety. The end of the year is packed with routine change and triggers. It’s easy for holiday stress to accumulate and it’s going to be a little while before things settle down.

Routine change can be a particularly challenging time for both two and four legged participants.  We are on display and surrounded by people we may not know that well, or even like.  Add in stress of travel, festivity planning, or concerns about money, and your stress is likely through the roof. A lack of sunlight means deficiency of key vitamins and holidays sweets can negatively impact our immune system.  Since your dog takes his cues from you, if you’re frazzled, he will be too.

Luckily, the advantage of foresight is on your side.  In preparation for the predictable chaos that accompanies the holidays here’s a few handy suggestions that could save you from a heaping side of holiday stress!

Boost Your (and Your Pet’s) Immunity

Keep a stock of tasty and nutritious treats on hand for your dog. Guests may be inclined to dish out a handout or two to your pup. Never mind all the goodies guaranteed to hit the floor. Make it easy for your guests to stick to your dog’s diet. Be aware of the potential for harm from ingestion of poinsettia plants, batteries, cooked bones, chocolate, grapes/raisins, or antifreeze. Conversely, pro-biotic supplements and meat broths are great foods to sustain healthy guts and brains for both human and canines.

Know Thyself (and Thy Animal)

Are you a social butterfly or a wallflower?  What about your pet?  The holidays bring about a unique form of stress which can negatively impact our resistance to disease.  Having realistic expectations along with intentional measured breathing can help prepare you for some stress as well as manage it in the moment. Young puppies and adolescent dogs may display holiday stress through hyperarousal and exuberant uncontrollable friendliness.

Some animals experience less stress during family gatherings if they can hideout in a back room.  Others may get stressed by separation.  Not sure if your dog likes Uncle George or not?  Learn to recognize signs of holiday stress in your dog. Check out this handy diagram on Doggy Language by Lilly Chin for additional body language cues! If your dog’s anxiety is hard to manage be sure to speak to your Veterinarian about pharmaceutical intervention. A short acting anti-anxiety medication or even over the counter calming supplements can help tremendously.

Have a game plan to reduce Holiday Stress.

Holiday plans often include travel, guests, unfamiliar environments, and other predictable but potentially chaotic variables.  You may not know what’s going to happen; you DO know it’s going to be crazy.  What does it take to get you back below threshold? Write out an agenda for the day that includes your dog’s daily needs. This will help remind you when to give the dog a potty break or enrichment activity.

Divvy up chores ahead of time and make simple requests for help.  Who’s responsible for feeding the animals?  Who’s job is it to walk them and take them for potty breaks?  While things may not always go perfectly according to plan, having an idea of how you want things to be will give you a formula for success.

Designate a place off the beaten path where you and your pets can go for quiet time.  If pets from multiple families will be in attendance give consideration to how each pet will be housed and coordinate with other guests.  Young puppies need consistent positive interactions with new people along with frequent naps. Provide appropriate accommodations for pets who may have sensitivities in regards to other animals.  You alone are your pet’s best advocate!

Traffic Control

In social situations, your game plan will largely consist of channeling inhabitants in certain directions.  Baby gates or exercise pens can keeps people and pets separated when necessary and also keep pets out of potentially sticky situations.  Furniture can be arranged to minimize access to certain areas and also to allow for escape routes in the event your animal becomes overwhelmed. Be aware that many conflicts happen around bottlenecks and dead ends so take extra precautions with sensitive dogs.

If your pet has sensitivities, politely make other guests aware in advance, especially when young children are present.  When giving directions use positive statements like, ‘Hands up, eyes up,’ ‘Step left/right/back forward,’ ‘turn your back,’ or ‘Pet his back,‘ to let others know specifically what your pet requires in that moment.  When you are talking to others remember that ‘Don’t’ statements are generally interpreted as ‘DO’ statements.  Phrases like ‘Don’t pet the dog,’ are likely to get you exactly what you’re trying to avoid.  Instead, focus your energy on what you want them TO DO.

Using Feeding Times to Your Advantage

Your pet’s mealtimes are the most valuable and undervalued times in a day.  Think of the meal as your dog’s paycheck for good work.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get paid to stand by the food trough? Meal times are an opportunity to reinforce to your dog that people are good as well as to help your family become a little more dog savvy.

Reinforcing your dog and your family for doing things you like.   If the dog is friendly, social, and safe, and especially if it is a puppy, give the meal to any children present and show them how to get the dog to perform simple tricks like spin, sit, down, and roll over.

If you prefer guests refrain from feeding your dog table scraps be sure to provide ‘treat stations’ with appropriate snacks or food through out the area. Dog’s that display timid but non aggressive behavior can benefit immensely from being hand fed by a variety of ‘strangers.’

Holiday Stress Mastery

Mastering the holidays begins with identifying and mastering your own stress reaction.  You’ll never eliminate stress entirely so disperse it effectively in small doses as frequently as possible. Allowing yourself and your pet the opportunity to burn off excess energy and decompress between stress inducing social situations ensures that the holidays will be memorable for only the most positive of circumstances!

Cheers and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!