Keep training going through the festive season with practical Christmas safety advice and a recall challenge designed to strengthen one of your dog’s key skills.
The holiday season is full of joy and celebration, but it also presents unique challenges for dog owners. From tempting festive foods and chaotic households to disrupted routines and travel, it’s essential to keep Christmas dog safety in mind. This guide covers every aspect of keeping your furry friend safe, answering common questions, and providing practical advice to ensure a happy and stress-free holiday for you and your dog.
The holiday feast is a highlight for humans, but many festive foods are harmful to dogs:
Tip: Keep all food out of reach and provide dog-safe treats like plain turkey or vegetables.
Christmas often brings extra activity, from delivery drivers to family gatherings. For dogs, this can be overwhelming. Create a quiet retreat where your dog can relax, away from the commotion.
Dogs thrive on consistency, but the holidays often disrupt feeding, walking, and sleeping schedules. Try to stick to their routine as closely as possible to minimise anxiety.
Noisy toys and overexcited children can overstimulate dogs. Teach children to approach dogs calmly and supervise all interactions.
Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to hypothermia. Ice, snow, and road salt can irritate or injure paws. Always rinse your dog’s paws after walks and consider using paw balm or booties for protection.
With more people walking dogs or playing outdoors during Christmas, public spaces can become crowded. Keep your dog on a lead and monitor interactions with unfamiliar dogs or people.
If you’re travelling for Christmas, extra precautions are necessary to ensure your dog’s safety and comfort.
Dogs should avoid swimming when the water temperature is below 7°C (45°F) due to the risk of hypothermia. Ice or partially frozen water is particularly dangerous.
Create a quiet space where your dog can retreat. Use calming aids like pheromone diffusers, and reward calm behaviour with treats or praise.
Contact your vet immediately. Provide details about the type and quantity of food ingested. Avoid inducing vomiting unless instructed by a professional.
Use basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to manage behaviour. Keep dog treats handy to reward good behaviour, and consider using a lead indoors.
Apply paw balm before walks to protect against ice and salt. Rinse paws after walks and consider using booties for extra protection.
Offer dog-safe options like plain turkey or vegetables. Avoid seasoned, sauced, or fatty foods that can upset their stomach.
Use puzzle feeders, play hide-and-seek with treats, or train new tricks. Rotate toys regularly to maintain their interest.
Plan ahead by packing essentials, securing your dog in the car, and researching local vets near your destination.
Secure your tree to prevent tipping, avoid low-hanging ornaments, and keep electrical cords out of reach.
Stick to their routine, exercise them before events, and provide plenty of mental stimulation with training and enrichment activities.
The holidays are an ideal time to reinforce training:
As part of our Christmas Dog Safety Guide, we’re launching an exciting competition to highlight the importance of training your dog’s recall—a skill that’s not just impressive but vital for their safety. Recall training can help keep your dog safe in busy environments, near roads, or around distractions, and we want to celebrate your efforts in practising this essential command!
Do you and your dog have recall training on point? Or are you working hard to build this crucial skill? Either way, we’d love to see your progress! Enter our Recall Challenge for a chance to win a Christmas Dog Food Hamper courtesy of Next Level Dog Food.
One lucky winner will receive a Christmas Dog Food Hamper filled with nutritious goodies and festive treats for your furry friend, courtesy of Next Level Dog Food.
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