Note: for ease of reading I am referring to the dog in the masculine.
Mariah Carey is back on the radio and you are most likely getting prepared for the best day of your children's life, (oh God) -
CHRISTMAS!
I'm talking about:
frantic dashes to the toy shop
elf on the shelfing in the wee hours of the night
wrapping paper - enough to wrap a house or two
Not to mention the stress of concocting the Christmas dinner (No pressure? On the contrary, more like ALL the pressure since it's the only thing about the day that makes the stress worth it!).
The kids are getting more and more excited with each chocolate advent reveal and overall, your home is now a mixed bag of emotions - stress, joy, frustration and anticipation to name but a few!
Meanwhile, your dog might just be wondering what the hell is going on as he cautiously observes everyone gradually lose their sanity by the day...
He feels the energy in the space around him and it is starting to rub off on him too...
If you are a family who prides themselves in involving the dog in all of your Christmas activities then listen up!
What if I told you that your dog would love Crimbo so much more if you made it a lot less christmassy for him?
Your dog relies on you to keep to a routine during Christmas time. This helps to keep him feeling relaxed and stress-free, but it also ensures that your children remain safe as well.
A stressed dog is a more irritable dog, and this means that he may not be as tolerable of excitable children bounding all around him.
This really is important.
Did you know that the majority of dog bites happen within the family home? And there is a higher chance of dog bites occurring during Christmas because emotions are heightened for all in the family home!
Think about it:
Children are hyper and run around the household on a constant high
You (the parent) are pre-occupied building toys, making dinners and entertaining guests
Caretakers often decide to ditch the routine, opting to not walk or spend as much quality time with the dog
There are strangers coming and going from the home, often unannounced
With celebrations in flow, the noise in the home naturally increases including music and people singing along
Adults often drink alcohol resulting in reckless things happening
Fireworks are not uncommon these days either!
Overall, there is stress EVERYWHERE and it can be incredibly hard for your dog to find a place amongst the madness that he feels safe enough to relax.
Why not make Christmas more relaxing this year for your dog?
This Christmas why not be proactive and forward plan a different experience for your beloved sidekick instead?
Come from the canine perspective and actively choose to put in place a plan of action that considers your dog's individual needs this season.
Tips to keep your dog relaxed:
Get up a little earlier and enjoy a relaxing walk with your dog before your children wake up
Designate a quiet space in your home where your children and others can't disturb your dog
Purchase a long-lasting, natural chew which act as natural de-stressors and give it to your dog when guests arrive
Set up an ACE Freework session in a room that is off-limits to any footfall - these sessions are mentally enriching to your dog and will help to reduce stress
Let your intended guests know that your dog will be spending time in a separate room and shouldn't be disturbed
Consider putting a Pet Remedy plug-in into your dog's room - these release dog-safe pheromones that induce relaxation
Stick to your dog's usual feeding times and avoid feeding him anything that is dangerous!
Check in on your dog regularly throughout the day and make sure he has ample opportunity to toilet
Educate your children on the importance of dog safety and why it is important to have in place boundaries when it comes to dog interaction - set them up for success!
Finally, once your children have exhausted themselves and your guests have retired for the night, you can invite your dog to spend some quality time with you before bed.