5 Puppy holiday tips
Five puppy tips to help you through the December holidays
The December holidays are here! The next couple weeks are going to be fun! But let’s be honest these days can be quite stressful, too. Preparing for family get togethers, beach time, big meal preparations and rushing around to find last minute gifts.
You know what? You are not the only one who may be feeling anxious. Your dogs, especially your new puppy, picks up on your feelings and stress levels, too.
Consistency and routine
There is nothing like consistency and routine to make our dogs feel safe. Routine is also the first thing that goes out of the window during the holidays. Your puppy will be confused by all the rushing around, people coming to visit and the general level of excitement.
Try to maintain your puppies usual schedule for feeding, exercising and napping as much as possible during the December holidays.
Quiet down time, is particularly important for puppies who often do not self regulate well. Try to provide as much stability for your dog in a potentially stressful situation.
In this blog post world champion dog trainer Susan Garrett shares her daily schedule for puppies.
Give your puppy a chance to rest
Most puppies will go on and on as long as there is something to play with. Just because you are not giving them attention doesn’t mean there is nothing to play with. Any self respecting puppy can make a play thing out of anything.
Puppies need a lot of rest.
Most behaviour problems with puppies are simply a case of an overtired puppy surrounded by temptation. And with all the coming and goings during the holiday season it is even harder for your puppy to settle.
Create a quiet spot, where your puppy can feel safe and get much needed rest throughout the day. Many puppies don’t self regulate well, and need some help to wind down.
Puppies need a lot of rest.
Most behaviour problems with puppies are simply a case of an overtired puppy surrounded by temptation. And with all the coming and goings during the holiday season it is even harder for your puppy to settle.
Create a quiet spot, where your puppy can feel safe and get much needed rest throughout the day. Many puppies don’t self regulate well, and need some help to wind down.
Learn more about confinement and why every dog should have a crate.
Kids and dogs
Kids love dogs but not all dogs love kids. Even a friendly dog may not enjoy the way children display their affection. Keep kids safe during holiday visits by helping your children give space to dogs. Explain to your kids how to interact with dogs:
- Kids should not hug a dog or lie on top of a dog.
- Kids should never approach a dog, who is sleeping, eating or enjoying a bone.
Please remember, all dogs can bite! Here is what to you can do to reduce the risk.
The Beach
Beach time is fun time. Taking your puppy on fishing trips and beach braais seems like a great idea.
But please stop a moment to consider what you want your dog to learn and what you would consider bad behaviour on the beach.
Will you be able to keep an eye on your puppy the entire time? What, if your dog jumps up on the kids, while they are playing ball? What about begging or even stealing food? What if your dog starts chasing birds, or worse, cars and doesn’t come when you call?
More often than not, what was meant to be a simply fun, just ended up in your dog having a great time doing all the things you don’t want them to do!
Here is what you can do so that beach time doesn’t end in tears:
- Prepare ahead.
- Take your puppy on short excursions only.
- Keep your puppy on a leash.
- Enjoy some focused play time with your puppy then give them a meaty bone and down time in the shade; either by your side or in the safety of your car.
Visitors
We look forward to visits from family and friends during the holidays, although these visits can be a little bit stressful too.
One thing is sure, your puppy will be spoiled by everyone – which means they will be learning to do things that you would rather they didn’t – like jumping up on the guests. Because your puppy is cute – your guests will likely say “Don’t worry! I don’t mind!”. But when your dog is no longer a puppy this will be less adorable and more of a nuisance.
So better be pro-active now and don’t let people reward your puppy for jumping up. Think about what you want your puppy to do instead of jumping up. Visualize in your head what that looks like. Maybe you want your puppy to sit, maybe you just want them to keep all four feet on the floor. What do you expect your puppy to do after your visitors arrived? Create a safe spot where your puppy can hang out.
Next, give your puppy some play time and exercise before your visitors arrive.
Have some tasty treats ready on hand before your open the door. Keep your puppy on a leash and reward him for doing what you want.
Then take him to his spot and give him a kong or a meaty bone to enjoy, while you entertain your guests.
