Your guide to navigating Christmas chaos with your dog
Christmas. It’s magic for us—but for our dogs? It’s mostly chaos. From visitors and strange behaviour (seriously, why are we screaming?) to mountains of food and weird objects wrapped in paper, the season can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. For certain dogs, it’s a perfect storm of excitement, stress, and stacked triggers, setting the stage for something to go awry.
The good news? With a little forethought and a lot of empathy, we can make the silly season less hectic and more harmonious for our dogs—and for us.
Acknowledge the Bonkers Behaviour
First, let’s admit it: From a dog’s perspective, Christmas is weird. We rearrange furniture, bring a tree inside the house (what’s that about?), fill it with shiny objects, and invite people over who don’t follow the “dog rules.”
Your dog isn’t being dramatic if they seem confused or reactive—they’re responding to our unpredictability. Acknowledging this is the first step in supporting them.
Know Your Dog’s Triggers
Every dog is different, and Christmas amplifies whatever they’re sensitive to. For some, it’s the excitement of visitors; for others, it’s the sheer volume of resources—food, toys, and even space.
Key questions to ask:
Does my dog struggle with resource guarding? (e.g., gifts, food scraps, or even the space under the tree).
Are they reactive to new people or loud environments?
Do they find changes to routine stressful?
Once you know their triggers, you can stay steps ahead to manage situations before they escalate.
“Set the Stage” for Success
This period is all about managing drama before it happens. Think of it as crafting an environment where your dog feels safe and supported, not overwhelmed.
What this looks like:
Rethink Gifts Under the Tree: If your dog has a tendency to guard resources, skip the temptation entirely. Gifts can go elsewhere until it’s time to open them.
Pre-Visitor Prep: Create a “safe zone” for your dog—whether it’s a quiet room or a comfy pen—where they can retreat if the house gets too busy.
Food-Free Zones: If food is a high-value trigger, set up clear boundaries to keep them away from kitchen chaos or snack-laden tables.
Balance the Hectic with the Calm
Christmas is packed with high-energy moments. To keep your dog from becoming overstimulated, make sure to balance the noise and excitement with opportunities for calm.
Calming strategies:
Take them on a long sniffy walk before the festivities start or when guests are arriving.
Offer enrichment activities (like a snuffle ball, lick mat, chew and/or stuffed Toppl) to keep them mentally engaged and relaxed.
Build rest into the day. Even if you’re busy, carve out quiet time where your dog can decompress.
Mind the Resource Pile-Up
Christmas is a resource explosion: food, toys, new items, and a flurry of human attention. For some dogs, this can spark resource guarding behavior—not because they’re “bad,” but because they ascribe value to these things in ways we don’t always expect.
Tips for managing resources:
Keep high-value items out of reach, like food or even wrapping paper (yes, some dogs guard that).
Supervise interactions with new toys or gifts, and rotate items instead of leaving everything out at once.
If sharing space with other dogs, monitor how resources are distributed to prevent conflict.
Guests: The Good, the Bad, and the Stressful
Visitors can be tricky for dogs. Some adore the extra attention, while others find it overwhelming—or even threatening.
Guest management tips:
Clear Communication: Let your guests know your dog’s boundaries (e.g., no uninvited petting, no feeding from the table).
Set Expectations: Not every guest will understand your dog’s needs, but it’s your job to advocate for them.
Give Them an Exit: Even the friendliest dog might need a break. Allow them to retreat without pressure to “perform” for guests.
Be Six Steps Ahead
Managing dogs during Christmas isn’t about controlling every detail; it’s about anticipating where things could go wrong and taking steps to prevent it. This means tuning into your dog’s behaviour, planning ahead, and staying flexible when things don’t go as expected.
A few examples:
If your dog hates noisy crackers, skip them—or give them a cozy spot away from the chaos before they pop.
Notice when they’re starting to get wound up (panting, pacing, or avoiding) and help them decompress before stress escalates.
Plan your day with your dog in mind: What helps them feel grounded?
Compassion Over Perfection
At the end of the day, it’s not about being the perfect guardian—it’s about being a thoughtful one. You’re not failing if your dog needs extra support this season. You’re recognising their needs and showing up for them, even when things feel hectic.
So if they bark at the tree, growl at a gift, or need to skip the party altogether? That’s okay. This season is about connection—not just with others, but with the dogs who share our lives.
Your Dog Needs You
For your dog, the best part of the silly season is simple: you. Your time, your understanding, and your willingness to meet them where they are. That’s their version of holiday magic.