As the holidays approach, we start to make plans for family and friends to come over. A house full of people, food everywhere, holiday music playing, all the fun happening… There is just one thing we tend to forget about. The dog is not going to understand why he can’t share all of his excitement, take what he wants off of the table and plates, or do zoomies around all of the children.   

I decided to contact the experts and get some tips and training ideas to make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone, including the dog.  

Chad Singer with Canine Revolution Dog Training, has trained over 1000 dogs since 2017. His approach to dog training begins with focus. This teaches the dog that by always looking to the trainer or pet parent, there is a reward. This process is very similar to a child asking permission or getting direction from their parent. It also is a great tool when trying to divert behavior we don’t want. To me, the program Chad has built is one of the best. It forms a bond of respect and trust. I am happy to be able to share his knowledge with all of you!

My question to Chad was, “What advice can you give people who plan to have holiday get-togethers or parties that will include their dog? How can we curb the excitement and keep the dog safe from all of the holiday goodies lying around?” 

Here is his response:

Holidays don’t break dogs, but trying to cram all of the training you skipped all year does. Starting this routine 3 weeks before the holiday party is best. 

Week one: eye contact. Put your dog on a leash, even inside the house. Load up some small food rewards and just stand there. The moment your dog looks at your face, say ‘good’ and reward. Looking at your treat pouch or pocket doesn’t count. Take a couple of steps and repeat. Keep the sessions short and fun. After a few days of this, most dogs start checking in with you on their own. Eye contact is the base of everything else. A dog that won’t look at you in the living room won’t listen to you with ten people in the kitchen.

Weeks two and three: place. Once eye contact is solid, move straight to place. Place is an automatic down-stay on a raised pet cot. You say the word, your dog goes to the cot, lies down, and stays until you release him. Teach a solid “down away” from the cot first. Next, toss food on the cot and reward your dog for stepping onto it, on and off, until he likes being there. Then say ‘place’ before you walk him to it, tell him ‘down’ and ‘stay,’ and slowly build time. Your goal by Thanksgiving is 15 to 30 minutes. Don’t rush it. Some dogs need several sessions just to get comfortable on the cot.

Rehearse the doorbell. Send a family member outside. Have them wait a few minutes, then ring the bell while you send your dog to its place. Repeat it until the doorbell is boring. You can’t stage a crowd of twenty for practice, but you can practice the exact behavior you’ll need when they show up.

HOLIDAY PARTY DAY: THE GREETING

A good greeting starts before the doorbell rings. Have your dog in place before anyone knocks, so he is out of the doorway with a job to do. About an hour before guests arrive, take him on a walk and run a few minutes of obedience. That way he isn’t meeting your family with a full tank of energy.

Give every guest the rule at the door, before they reach the dog: no talk, no touch, no eye contact until you say it’s time. Once your dog is calm, release him to say hi. If he’s a jumper, keep a leash on him. When he jumps, the guest turns away and gives him nothing. The second all four paws are on the floor, they can say ‘good’ and pet him.

If he can’t hold it, or you know the aunt who squeals the second she sees him is coming, put him in the crate. That isn’t failure. It lets you greet your own family instead of fighting a dog at the front door. And because somebody always leaves that door wide open, make sure your recall is solid before Thursday.

You can find Canine Revolution Dog Training’s podcast on this @ Pack Talk Podcast #144, Managing Your Dog for the Holidays.

Hopefully, these training tips will make your holiday parties safe for people and pets as well as enjoyable. Remember, people’s food and dogs’ tummies do not always match. Keep his rewards to his favorite dog treat that is small, not filling, and easy to chew!