Do you know how to help your dog deal with visitors during the holidays?
The holiday season is upon us! During this time, it is common to receive visitors and celebrate with get togethers, parties, and lots of noise.
However, if you have a dog, whether a puppy, an adult pup, or a senior dog, these celebrations can be quite stressful, especially if he is not used to it.
Thinking about bringing more peace of mind to you and your pup, we’ve listed below some tips on how to help your dog deal with visitors during the holidays.
Prepare your Dog for Success
The best way to keep your dog from getting stressed over the holidays is to set him up for success.
If your dog likes to steal food from the counter or dishes, avoid leaving food within reach. And don’t leave your dog alone in the kitchen.
For puppies, a good rule of thumb is “supervise or confine.” If you are unable to supervise him during the party, keep him safe in his crate.
If your dog is reactive to visitors and you are not sure how he will react in the presence of many people, keep him on a leash while there are visitors. And utilize the place command.
Also, use treats and verbal praise to reward good behavior, such as sitting down and staying calm. There may be lots of overwhelming stimuli for him, so be sure to reward his good choices.
Read More: Teaching Your Puppy How to Be Alone
Read More: 5 Tips for Crate Training Your Puppy
Help your Dog Make Good Decisions
When a dog is not well socialized, he can be easily over excited or very nervous about visitors. The breed of your dog also influences this behavior. Some breeds, for example, have a more developed guardian instinct, which can end up making them a little more aggressive towards visitors.
If you’ve adopted a puppy during the pandemic and this is his first holiday season, having too many people in the house or the doorbell ringing constantly can be overwhelming. At any sign of agitation, take him to another room until he calms down.
Read More: How to Read Dog Body Language
Give your Pup some Space
If your pup starts to get nervous with the visitors, try to calm him down by giving him some space. Take him for a walk or leave him in a quiet spot in the house to relax. His crate should be a safe and quiet space for him to decompress and relax.
If you want to take the time to get him used to the visitors, do it with short sessions, as too much exposure all at once can be overwhelming.
Always try to associate visitors and parties with something positive, so he will be calm and happy whenever the guests arrive.
Read More: Why Does My Dog Bark at Kids?
Help your Dog Deal with Visitors during the Holidays: Final Conclusions
If your pup is nervous and doesn’t like meeting new people, don’t force it. Leave him in a quiet place in the house until your guests leave.
If your visitors do not know how to properly deal with your dog or if this is your family’s first time meeting your pup, guide them on how to interact with your pup safely and calmly. Always have the well-being of your pup as a priority!
Are you ready to help your dog deal with visitors during the holidays? We hope these tips were helpful!
Dog Walker Astoria
If you require help providing socialization opportunities for your dog and you live in Astoria, you can enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with Buster and Whiskers. We offer daily 1-hour Socialization Walks. If your pup is under-socialized, we will work with them to help desensitize them and get them ready for our Group Socialization Walks. You must live within our Astoria coverage area. In addition, your dog must be up-to-date on all required vaccinations. Laying a strong foundation in socialization is the best gift you can give your pup for a long and happy life together!
Buster and Whiskers is The #1 Dog Walking Service in Astoria, NY. If your dog needs more exercise or social interaction, enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with us. Contact us for a professional and reliable Dog Walker in Astoria! Follow us on Instagram!
