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Unleashing Canine Counterstories Part 3: It's beginning to look a lot like.....(stressful) HOLIDAYS

Unleashing Canine Counterstories Part 3: It's beginning to look a lot like.....(stressful) HOLIDAYS

December 04, 2025 - 19 minute read
Welcome to 'Unleashing Canine CounterStories: Exploring Humane Education with Dr. Lori’. I am your hostess for this blog series where we dive deep into the fascinating world of human/canine relationships. To put it bluntly, it's complicated. But I'm here to help hash it all out! In this series, we'll examine our interactions with our canine companions and discover ways to build stronger, more empathic connections by considering your dog's perspective along with your own. This is known as Canine CounterStories- taking a broader look into how something that has 'always been' may actually have had another angle to look at all along. Today we will delve into this season of constant festivities and learn how this can affect you which then trickles down and by default affects your doggies.  It is important to recognize that this time of year can be overwhelming for your WHOLE family- canine family members included. So what's the big deal, right? No grinches allowed, lighten up already!  Well, these shifts in routine start to add up. And without even realizing it, each of these chips away at our zen. The energy shifts, the pace shifts, and the dogs really have no idea why. At this time of year it is so easy for your dog to be overlooked, but this is exactly when, with just a little planning, they can really benefit from some extra support.  No matter what holiday traditions are being celebrated, there are so many similarities that it really doesn't matter. What do all these holiday festivities have in common? For starters: Hustling and Bustling  Whether this is increased activity in your household, or you are constantly running to the store for preparations, the month of December is filled with a lot of coming and going. The disruption of normal routine can be quite jarring. It can affect sleep and mood. You (human) can love it and hate it all at the same time. For the pooches, this change in environmental energy can lead to stress, anxiety, or even behavioral issues. They may struggle to understand why their once-predictable surroundings have suddenly become a bit chaotic. Ever heard that the family dog may start to act up when they see a house being packed up to move? It's the disruption to daily flow causing insecurity and unsettled feelings. Same goes for holiday prep time. For your dog, something feels 'off'. And they can't quite put their sniffer on it! One way to mitigate the effects of your added life stressors at this time of year is to try to keep some routines with your pup as close to on point as possible.  Feeding always at 6pm? Try not to be out shopping past dinnertime.  Typically go for a night walk? Try to keep that in your repertoire. It will be good for both of you to rely on an old stand by to counteract the current unknown. Family and Friends Celebration day may bring with it some guests that normally wouldn't be there. Just for the day, just for the meal, or overnights.... all of a sudden we have a ton of new faces, new unfamiliar scents, and allllllll those personalities! Sometimes someone has on a really strong cologne (dog sensitive to strange smell), sometimes someone gets into a heated debate (dog sensitive to strange tone), sometimes someone rushes in and gives you a giant hug (dog sensitive to strange close proximity)- this is ALOT for you and your dog to navigate. The pressure of trying to run a smooth celebration can really put a damper on YOUR holiday mood, which your dog will pick up on since you are the place he or she may gravitate as a source of comfort. Don't even get me started on how many people will now interact with your dog in a myriad of ways that are not necessarily appropriate (my big teddy bear of a 90 lb dog would constantly have people 'rough him up' while saying what appeared to be a taunting 'you big fella'!) Your dog's comfort level can be inadvertently left unnoticed as you can't possibly be everywhere all at once. Next thing you know Uncle Stanley is reporting that your dog 'growled out of nowhere'. Spoiler alert- it's NEVER out of nowhere! So how can we set this up for success? Whenever possible, meet your guests OUTSIDE, dog on leash. Perhaps they can offer a snack as a peace offering (place 'dog biscuits and treats' on your gift registry, tee hee). Walk back into the house together. This may decrease any territorial feelings and give you a chance to 'take the temperature of the room' as I like to call it. Is anyone (human or canine) feeling uncomfortable, stiff, unnatural? It would be a good idea to make sure your dog has a quiet area to retreat when they choose to. Not thrown there as if having a punishment, that will only reinforce that the people are scary negative things. As long as everyone is safe, it can be the dog's choice to retreat when they deem it necessary. Place a sign above the room/kennel stating 'doggie zen zone- no strangers allowed' and let's hope the guests take the hint. If they don't, you can advocate and politely place the boundary that your dog is feeling a little uneasy and is respectfully requesting a time out. Always discuss your pup's challenges as valid concerns, reiterating these are guests and he/she is the one who actually lives there. Community/Crowds Although it would be oh so adorable to bring your dog to every community parade and festival, do your pup a favor and let them opt out. It's a whole lotta noise and quick movements, not your pup's faves. Trust me when I tell you, your dog is not interested in being up close and personal with a blaring fire truck. Running and racing around and spilled hot chocolate (on the doggy toxic list), oh my!  There is also bound to be someone grabby who is going to try and maul your dog with hugs and kisses because 'they just LOVE dogs'. This well-meaning person is not taking into account your dog may not 'just LOVE forced intimacy'. Nope Nope Nopity Nope. No to the Nope. Let your dog stay home.  Having to keep an eye that your dog is doing ok with this melee doesn't exactly scream peaceful for you, either. Come to think of it, perhaps you also might want to skip this one? :) But if not, totally understandable.. just cherish the human event amongst other humans and let the dog have a nice night in. If you are worried your dog may be suffering from FOMO (fear of missing out), you can arrange a doggy day for you and your pup where you have a little special outing. Visit a park, trail, or dog-friendly cafe together. Your dog only wants to spend the time with YOU anyway. This way you can celebrate minus the commotion. Travel Sometimes you are the one 'who brought the dog'. The same rings true here, showing up to an unfamiliar house with a bunch of people and personalities can be a little (or a lot!) overwhelming for your dog. Make sure they have a quiet retreat, perhaps a travel kennel, that can be placed somewhere out of the way for some peaceful time alone if needed. If you know in advance this will be happening, prepare your dog for a successful showing-up by working on using the travel crate as a den for weeks in advance of the day. Feed in there with the door open, put warm cushy blankets and bed with the door open, add some light relaxing scents (such as plug in ADAPTIL) and make arrangements ahead of time at the house you will be arriving at. There should be the least amount of surprises possible for both you and the dog. If your dog is freaking out and the people there start judging with their eyes (or opinions), I assure you this will be stressful for you too.  Consider having a pet sitter come to the home instead, which is where your dog would actually be most comfortable and relaxed. You can always set up a camera and ask for updates such as photos/videos for your peace of mind. Lights Lights are very popular during holiday time, both big bright lights and more subtle candlelight. All come with their own cautionary tales. Flashing lights and elaborate displays can be disorienting and even frightening for dogs. Try to keep one room stimuli free with the option for your dog to leave the 'partayyyy.' All those videos showing animals jumping in fright when animatronics come to life at them? Not so funny...... With lights comes electrical cords, which could be a dog's worst nightmare. Monitor carefully so your pup doesn't start to chew on electricity and get a nasty burn. Same goes for batteries. A chewed up battery can actually explode! There's no place like home for the holidays, no one wants to spend them at the (animal) hospital.  Never leave candles unsupervised. With so much new 'stuff' all around it will be more challenging to navigate the home with full body awareness. Same rings true for playful kids. All it takes is one 'bump' by mistake to knock a candle over. Talk about stress on the caregiver! Decorations It is imperative to keep your dog's safety in mind when adorning your home, both inside and out. If your dog gets to run free in the yard, with the new additional scenery it may be worth supervising - at least until the initial curiosity wears off. Or have the outdoor festivities behind safety gating if you can. See my above warning regarding plugs. Tinsel and garland and glitter can be fun to look at, but it's not so fun if it winds up in your dog's intestinal tract. Be especially careful decorating with 'popcorn string' which can attract the dog to eat the popcorn, of course, but also other things directly next to the popcorn. Try to keep these things fully out of reach. Better yet, with any pets in the home, just don't decorate at all with food.  Other than that, here is a seemingly harmless innocuous little item that I bet you haven't given much thought to, but can be a nightmare in disguise..the ever popular SNOW GLOBE.  Most of you know that antifreeze is dangerously fatal to animals. Guess what the globey goo is made of? That's right, that liquid that you shake around consists of none other than ethylene glycol, the same chemical used in antifreeze. If a snow globe cracks/breaks, the sweet smell can act as an attractant and our furry friend might take a toxic lick. Best to keep them on a high high shelf, out of harm's way. Be mindful that while you are decorating, you can easily become stressed from the act of 'fun decorating' as well. Climbing into the attic to get the boxes, finding something broken from last year, standing on the unsteady ladders, some of the lights aren't working, the list goes on and on. Anyone else remember family time being pretty unpleasant the day the holiday decorations started being put up? The tension in the air was awfully thick. This is a core childhood memory of mine-fun times. Guarantee your dog can pick up on this vibe. So while you are trying to get it done, all your dog sees is whatever you are doing sure does look like something you don't want to do. Go easy on yourself and take breaks. Try not to act like your dog is 'in the way' when they are investigating what has you so uncharacteristically irritated. Plants While holiday greenery can add a festive touch, some plants can be dangerously toxic. Basic holiday plants such as the common poinsettia and holly should always be avoided due to toxicity, and smoochy mistletoe needs to be hung up high (right away when it comes home, don't leave it on the counter 'for later'- be mindful of 'counter surfers').  A good alternative is an 'edible bouquet', because, who doesn't love fruit!? Even if the dog got some on the sneak, it would be safe. :).  But some other pet-safe plant alternatives would also be African violets, roses, boston fern, spider plants, or bamboo palms. Christmas Cactus, anyone? Those are non-toxic, too. And beautiful! By starting out your plant selection in a way that you know is harmless if munched, this can take the edge off for you. You certainly already have enough details to pay attention to! Gifts Sooooooo many holidays revolve around gift giving. I would be remiss to not talk about it in detail. For your pup, make sure there is a gift or two (or three) for them. It doesn't have to be a million, but maybe something to chew (like Dr. Harvey's Holistix), something to snuggle, and something to smell (like yummy Dr Harveys Minnow Minis or Salmon Bites). This covers some basic needs... let's give them something positive and pleasant to sniff, to taste, and to feel comfy- just for them. That's three.  You can wrap them lightly and let your dog unwrap, taking an adorable picture from a distance (phones in faces aren't cool, I will get to that later).  The more important topic of gift giving for me is the act of giving a puppy as a gift. Please do not stick a puppy in a stocking. Please do not stick a puppy in a box and wrap it up (oxygen deficiency). The idea of a puppy as a gift on a holiday is cute, but not practical. What is better, would be to wrap up a teeny tiny gift, so it appears like something little and possibly uneventful, and when it is opened, it is a PICTURE of a puppy. With the promise of either picking out the puppy together as a family, or if this is THE puppy, the excitement of meeting this puppy at a later date. That way this beautiful bouncing baby bundle of joy's new arrival isn't overshadowed by the newest gaming system. And the puppy arrival day can be its own. Not shared with alllll the other things. Its not necessary.  TALKING about getting the puppy can ignite excitement and wonder about the arrival of the puppy. It can be its own entire event; a cherished memorable experience. It will be better for ALL parties involved, ESPECIALLY THE PUPPY.   Soapbox over. :) Music While festive melodies can create a jolly atmosphere, try not to blast it during decoration time in an attempt to 'get in the mood'- which can be a bit jarring for your dog who is already unsure what is happening with all the newness. Their sensitive hearing makes them more susceptible to discomfort with higher volumes (see previous blog post 'Music Makes the World Go Round'). At a moderate to low volume, dogs may enjoy some holiday tunes, especially instrumentals. Personally, me and my dogs are big fans of The Ventures classic rockin' and surfin' holiday song 'Snow Flakes'- Highly recommend! :) Keep an eye on your dog's body language during singalongs with strangers, I am envisioning carolers at the door, or even spontaneous family croon fests after a night of holiday nog. If your dog is uneasy, perhaps guide them to a quiet area and offer them a long lasting chew to keep them occupied. Of course, you can always enforce a noise curfew on your dog's behalf if things get out of hand. Photographs Let's talk about documenting every inch of this holiday. Not every dog loves a rectangle phone in their face. Try to take pictures and videos from a safe distance and crop as needed to give the illusion of close ups. Also, having your dog wear signs of 'confessions' can be cute if it is coupled with them not caring (such as sorry, not sorry) and their body language communicates joyful reckless abandon about it. But if they are cowering or giving 'sad eyes' that isn't a great thing to put them through. They aren't really confessing, they aren't really sorry, they are stressed and tense and uncomfortable- avoid contributing to that whenever possible.  Respecting your dog's personal space is more important than the perfect shot. Photo shoots: Your pup may not always cooperate, just like kids.  Let the blooper pic be the highlight and make a joke of it, rather than try to force them to sit still and pose. They have their own likes, dislikes, and preferences. Honoring this autonomy is a gracious gift you can give them. Trash Let's face it, everyone deals with trash differently. Some leave it unattended waiting for someone else to pick it up and toss it for them. Others pile the trash bag up so high it no longer closes. And when large groups of people gather, this equates to large amounts of trash. Trash is like a smellorific buffet for your dog's senses. This can be nothing but trouble! Old food, bones, chocolates and candy wrappers, not to mention napkins and paper towels- it is really important to have your dog avoid holiday trash. Toxic food can quickly turn into a visit to the ER, and paper products can become lodged requiring medical care a few days later when it is discovered to have been ingested. At the very least no one wants to be dealing with explosive diarrhea if your dog gets into something they shouldn't. You will be so busy making sure everyone's needs are met (stress) that trash may be the last thing on your mind... but think of it as a big giant bag of potential danger.  Perhaps during mealtime, have your pup secured in a different area of the house, only invited back once that first round of trash leaves. This also eliminates the family member who sneaks food under the table to your pup, whether it is a food that is appropriate for them or not. If food will be rotating constantly, make sure you have a bin with a tight lid kept in a hard to reach place, maybe inside a cabinet with a child safe lock. Ask someone early on if they would be willing to be on trash duty and empty/replace with a clean empty bag as needed: many times guests really do love to help.  Food The holiday conversation wouldn't be complete without the mention of the excess of FOOD. So much food, so little time. There are a million things to make or buy, so many choices. Let's keep the toxic food list off the menu if you can, to save the STRESS of worrying about it. What things shouldn't the dogs be eating? Grapes and raisins - stick to cranberries instead.  Onions - see above about not leaving uneaten food/trash behind Mixed nuts- many types if ingested by dogs can lead to seizures. Nobody wants that on a holiday. Coffee- the caffeine is the main danger, though decaf is also not good due to trace amounts of caffeine Chocolate (ok if this one can't be totally avoided, please do not leave the chocolate unattended) If you want to give your pup something special to eat on a special day, this is a wonderful addition to any holiday and can even become part of a family tradition. Just make sure they are appropriate treats and do so in moderation as excess food can lead to gastrointestinal distress (this goes for humans too).  and yes, even FUN- Fun is...well, fun! That's a good thing, right? But fun can also be overwhelming and overstimulating and bring with it....STRESS. Balancing fun and excitement with moments of relaxation will be good for both you and your dog. Sometimes you are over threshold yet unaware due to the focus on all these other holiday components all around you. Your dog can get overstimulated easier than normal also. Too much of a good thing is too much, my friends.  Be prepared!!!!! Even with the best of plans, unfortunate things can happen. Make sure you are prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. Have the number to your 24 hour veterinarian on your fridge, along with a 24 hour Poison Control Center Hotline. And let's 'cheers' that this is the one thing put up during holiday time that never gets any use out of it. Even with all this preparation, you can't possibly foresee EVERYTHING. Many times, the next day you may find your pooch with a tummy ache...something got sneaked, something got offered, somebody furry was unsupervised. Don't beat yourself up, just be prepared. For times of trouble, always have Dr Harvey's RUNS BE DONE on hand. Another thing no one wants to think about is our beloveds getting out the door or gate. With all kinds of foot traffic, there is bound to be someone who is not super pet savvy that leaves a door not fully latched or a gate not completely closed. You cannot have eyes on all the moving parts of all the people and all the places in the home spontaneously all at the same time (yep, you guessed it, more stress). Make sure your dog is properly microchipped, with ID tag on collar and maybe even a harness for double identification purposes. Better safe than sorry.  That's all. folks! Isn't that plenty? As we've explored, the holiday season can present numerous stress points, many times not even realized or thought about. That heightened energy, whether good or bad, can most certainly be transferred onto our dogs. With holiday time being inevitable, and showing up like clockwork every 12 months, our best course of action is to be prepared and mindful of the space we all gather in.   Remember your dog looks to you for cues during times of uncertainty. Being a good role model means remaining calm and flexible to any unforeseen changes in other people, places, and things. That way when it's all said and done, you and your dog can both let out a big sigh of de-stressing relief while crashing on the couch together. You both earned it!  May your holidays be merry, your calm stay steady, and your couch crash be legendary...  
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