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Happy Howlidays: Prepping Your Pet for the Holiday Season
This article was originally published in the November 2024 issue of Signature Magazine. The digital edition can be found here.
As the holidays are approaching, people start making shopping lists for meals, and prepping their homes for guests. While the holidays are a great time to reconnect with friends and family, they can be stressful, and that can also be true for your pets. Some pets get really excited when guests come over which can result in people getting jumped on or the pet running out the door. Others, may be a little overwhelmed, or extremely fearful which can result in stress behaviors such as house soiling or even aggression. When prepping for the holidays, make sure to keep these things in mind for your pet.
Set ground rules
Determine what will be best for your pet, and make sure your family and guests are all on board with the rules. Whether it’s keeping the dog on leash or behind a baby gate until all the guests arrive, or making sure guests don’t give food to your pet. Be sure everyone knows the rules to prevent things such as the kids (or adults) slipping your pet food that could cause them harm or at least an upset stomach. If you already know you have a rule breaker who will be a guest, then go ahead and keep your pet either behind a baby gate or even in another room behind a door. By using this form of management, you can prevent any issues from happening.
Create a safe space
If your pet does not like guests, or maybe they like them but just need a break from them, having a safe space can be great. It can be another room far away from the noise, or just a baby gate where they can still see everyone, but can also move further away if they’d like. Have a comfortable bed for them, litter box or potty pads if they are trained to use those, toys, and a soothing activity such as a lick mat or chew toy. If they are in another room, you can also have some classical music, white noise machine, or a box fan going to help drown out the sound of guests. If your pet gets very stressed, you can even speak with your veterinarian about some medication or over the counter options to help reduce stress. Make sure you get the information from the veterinarian on when is the best time to give the medication. Some medications take longer to take effect and must be given an hour or so before in some instances. If your pet is already upset, and you then try to give the medication, many times it will not be as effective.
Board your pet
If having guests stresses your pet to the point where they are panicking even when they are in a different room, or if having to keep up with your pet along with all of your holiday hosting is just too much, you can always board your pet or have them stay with a sitter. There is no need to feel guilty in doing what is best for both you and your pet, and plenty of pets would rather stay in a quiet environment than be around the holiday chaos. If you have a trusted boarding facility or sitter, go ahead and reserve your reservation now as the holidays tend to book fast.
Start training now
If your pet does great with guests, but could use a little work on not jumping up or running out the door, start working now on training those skills! Behavior change takes time and practice. You can’t expect your pet to listen to you amidst the flurry of guests if you’ve never even practiced the behaviors you want without guests! Teaching new skills works best by using your pet’s favorite treat and keeping the training sessions very short, 5 minutes at the most. Both dogs and cats can learn to stay on a bed or mat away from the door to prevent them from running out, and dogs can learn not to jump up on guests over time. Not only can training help keep your pet safe, but it also helps build your bond.
By considering and incorporating these tips while you are planning your holidays, it can make them a lot less stressful for you and your furry family members. While we want to include them in all we do, we do need to make sure we are respecting how they feel. If the holiday cheer is just too much for them, then we need to advocate for them and do what is in their best interest. Helping your pet feel safe and comfortable is the best thing you can do as a pet parent.
Need help working with your pet before the holidays? Fill out the contact form today to get signed up for a consultation!
Best Dog Toys Recommended by a Dog Trainer
When it comes to dog toys, there are SO many on the market it can be overwhelming. As a dog trainer I have used a lot of toys with my own dogs and client dogs over the years. This list isn’t all inclusive, but it does list my favorites to recommend for most dogs. Look through this list of links and find the next toy for you pup!
Woof Pupsicle
The Woof Pupsicle is a rubber toy that unscrews into two pieces to allow you to fill it with their ball shaped treats or you can use their molds to make your own and freeze them. My dog’s favorite is when I mix a can of pate style dog food with Greek Yogurt and treat crumbs! With the link you can use the code MABC10 to get 10% off your order!
West Paw Toppls & Qwizls
These dense rubber toys can be filled with food and frozen, or one small and large Toppl can even be linked together with kibble inside it to be a kibble dispenser toy. With the Qwizl you can put in a bully stick on similar skinny chew and have it last longer while your dog works on it.
Classic Kong
The Kong has been around for many years and for good reason! It is a very durable rubber toy that you can fill with various dog safe foods and then frozen. This allows your dog to work on it slowly and provide them with enrichment for quite a long time.
Hol-ee Roller
This toy is fun for both fetch and tug! You can also use it as enrichment toy is your dog is not big on chewing by rolling up treats in small pieces of fleece or brown wrapping paper and stuff them in the holes of the ball. Your dog will then have to strategically pull them out to get the treats. If your dog is too rough, then you can simply use it to play fetch, tug, and kick it around for your dog to play with.
Caution: This is NOT a chew toy and can be easily destroyed if you let your dog chew on it. It is durable enough to tug hard with, but will not withstand direct and constant chewing.
*Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning, if you buy a product you will not be charged more, but a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Teach Your Dog to Sit
Follow these tips to get your dog to sit!
Teaching your dog to Sit can be a useful skill. It can be used to get them to stop jumping, wait at doors, or keep them from getting onto the counters. To teach it, we’ll be using a method called luring where you will take a treat in your hand, and move it in a way so that your dog follows it into a Sit position.
Have your treats ready and make sure you are on non-slip flooring. Take one treat into your hand. Move your treat hand right in front of your dog’s nose, and think of your hand as being a magnet to your dog’s nose. You want it touching or very close to your dog’s nose. Your dog will likely start sniffing or even licking at the treat which is perfect. Once your hand is in position move the treat in a straight line over your dog’s head and towards their tail. Your dog should start to tilt their head back, and if you keep the treat close to their nose, they will likely start to Sit. As soon as their bottom hits the floor, say “Yes!”, and give them the treat. If your dog backs up that is okay, continue to hold the treat in position and move it towards their tail, as for some dogs it may take a few repetitions for them to understand. You can also try practicing near a wall or other barrier so they can only back up so far. Be patient and move your hands slowly. If you move to fast or hold your hand up too high, your dog will likely move fast or even jump up to try and get the treat. Steady movements will help give your dog a chance to move calmly and into the Sit position.
Repeat this process several times over a span of 3-5 minutes, making sure to reward and really praise your dog once they sit. Practice this in various rooms in your home as well as outside, always making sure to practice on non-slip flooring. Once your dog is easily sitting as soon as you move the treat near their head, you can add in your verbal cue, “Sit”. Make sure to say the word “Sit” first, pause for a second, then move your hand. We want your dog listening for the word, not just following your hand movement. Once your dog is doing that well, you can remove the treat from your hand but still hold your hand as if a treat is in it. Remember to say “Sit”, pause, then move your hand. After practicing this for a few sessions, you should notice your dog starting to Sit as soon as you say the word. Congrats! You’ve taught your dog to Sit on a verbal cue! Now, make sure to continue practicing it in as many new locations as possible, all throughout your house, outside, at the park, pet friendly stores, etc. This way your dog will truly learn what the word “Sit” means, and is able to do it any place.
Teaching your new puppy or dog to Sit is usually fairly easy, but for some dogs it can be more challenging. If you notice your dog or puppy is really struggling, it may be worth looking into further with your veterinarian as for some puppies and dogs it may actually hurt to Sit. If after practicing for several sessions, changing locations, trying having them Sit on different flooring, etc. and they still aren’t able to Sit, or if they Sit but it is very slow or they stick their legs out to the side, it is time to visit the veterinarian.
Need more help teaching Sit? Reach out today to get in person or virtual help from a Fear Free certified trainer!
5 Benefits of Virtual Dog Training
Have you heard of virtual dog training, but not sure if it’s right for you? Here are 5 benefits of going virtual with your dog’s training!
1. Train from the comfort of your home (and in your pajamas if you want!)
No need to load up your dog in the car, or furiously clean your house before the trainer comes over. With virtual training you can set up wherever you’d like as long as the lighting is good! Sit on the couch, your dining table, or a desk. I can instruct you through the training plan and answer any questions you have through Zoom without distracting your dog with my presence.
2. Wide range of dates and times available for sessions (including weekends and evenings)
Since the training is done virtually, it’s also easier for me to offer more sessions at different times since I can also sit in the comfort of my home without having to worry about travel time and expenses.
3. Re-watch the training sessions
I record every session we do and upload it to your own Google Drive folder so you can re-watch a session at any time! I also provide you with handouts and type up your homework for you so you won’t ever have to remember what I said at the last session.
4. Get feedback on videos you send in
You can upload videos for me to watch and offer feedback in Google Drive or by text or email. Allowing me to see your training sessions through the week can help me to see what adjustments we may need to make, provide you with encouragement, and let you know when you are doing things right!
5. Access to a qualified trainer no matter your location
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of virtual training is that it gives you access to a qualified trainer no matter where you are in the world! As someone who comes from a rural area, it can be hard to find a certified and truly knowledgeable trainer in the area, but virtual has changed that! Now you can work with the best trainer for you and your dog and get the help you need.
Thinking you want to give virtual a try? Reach out to me and we can find the package that works best for you!
Best Dog Gear: Dog Trainer’s Picks
The pet business is a booming industry as pet parents were projected to spend $143.6 billion on their pets in 2023. There are so many great pet brands with great gear for your dog, but they can lead to decision paralysis as you’re just not sure what to get! Listed below are products I have used or use on the daily with my dog, and often recommend to my clients.
My favorite harness to recommend to clients, this fully adjustable harness has three buckles (so you don’t have to slip the harness over the dog’s head) and both a front a back clip. Make sure to measure your dog so you can get the right fit. They also sell a double clip leash, but you can use any double or single clip leash with it.
This long line leash is waterproof, easy to clean, and comes in a variety of lengths. I have the 50ft length and it works great when I want to give my dog some freedom, but keep him safe as well. It is also great to work on recall so you can reel your dog in if he gets distracted. All you have to do is spray it off with a hose or rinse it in the sink or shower, wipe it dry with a towel, and it’s good to go!
Even if your dog is young (like mine) they can still benefit from a comfy bed that supports their joints. If you have a senior dog, an orthopedic or memory foam bed can make a world of difference for their comfort. I personally have the Barkbox bed, but there are many other brands that I have heard are great as well such as Furhaven.
Odoban Pet Solutions Floor Cleaner and Stain Remover
From cleaning up accidents, cleaning out kennels, and just cleaning floors to help with the dog smell, this stuff works! This is the pet specific one, but I’ve used several of their products on the floors, counters, and in the laundry and it works wonders. For house training, it’s essential you eliminate all the odor so your dog doesn’t go back to that spot again, and this works perfectly. I also like adding a bit to the washing machine when I wash the dog bed covers, blankets, and towels I’ve used for drying off my dog.
I have several different sizes of these and use them to store kibble, treats, and pine pellets used for my dog’s litterbox. I’ve never had any issues with bugs or moisture getting into these and I love how easy they are to open and close. I’ve gotten many on sale as they tend to run sales on them pretty often so save this link and keep an eye on whatever size container you’d like!
This is my absolute favorite toy to use for mental enrichment (Kong and Soda Pup are honorable mentions). You can put in your dog’s treats or kibble or fill it with Greek yogurt, peanut butter, plain Pumpkin puree, canned dog food, or anything else dog safe you can think of! You can also freeze it for a longer lasting treat for your dog. I’ve collected many of these over the years so now I just make them all up at once, put them in the freezer, and then I have them available to quickly give them to my dog at any time.
Baby gates are perfect for keeping your dog out of certain areas of the house whether it’s because they are nosey (like my dog), in the process of house training, or to keep them from jumping on guests when they first enter the house. I have two of these and they’ve worked great. I love that I can simply walk through them and not have to step over them like some gates (and almost trip in the process).
Need more ideas? Check out my Amazon list of favorite dog products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best Dog Training Treats: My Favorite Treats to Use as a Dog Trainer
Using treats or food rewards in training is essential to make quick progress in your training. After all, you like receiving a paycheck for your work, shouldn’t your dog also get his payment?
As a trainer I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs over the years, and all have different preferences for treats. I can’t tell you the amount of times people have told me their dogs aren’t treat or food motivated only for the dog to immediately take treats from me! Experimenting to find out what your dog finds most rewarding is key, but I’ve done some of the research for you and below are some of the treats I find most dogs love!
Pet Botanics Mini Training Rewards
These little treats are a perfect size for all dogs, and can even be broken in half for puppies or small breed dogs. All the dogs I’ve worked with love these, especially the Bacon flavor!
Okay, while this is technically dog food, it makes for a great treat! My own dog LOVES this and it serves as a great high value treat, but minimal mess compared to other meats like deli turkey which can be slimey. Because it is a complete and balanced food I also don’t have to worry about him getting too many of them and instead I can just decrease his supper a little bit without worrying he isn’t getting all the nutrients.
A staple for a lot of dog trainers, these small, chewy treats are low calorie and come in a variety of flavors. I’ve never had a dog refuse them and most pet parents can easily find them at pet stores.
Kibble or Canned Food!
You read that right! Using your dog’s own food as a treat is a great way to reward them. While some dogs do need something a bit higher value, many dogs really enjoy working for their daily food. This is also great if you have a dog with a medical condition that requires them to stay on a specific food or if your trying to reduce calories to help your dog lose weight. You can play around with it by maybe soaking the kibble in hot water to make it soft and putting in a squeeze tube to give as a treat that way, or even baking some of the canned food to make a crunchy treat (here’s a recipe). If your dog doesn’t have any sensitivies you can simply buy a small bag of another flavor of the same brand of food you already feed or a completely new brand with a new flavor. My dog loves any kind of fish based/flavored kibble so if I see a good deal on a small bag, I will get it and use it as treats.
“Human” Food
I like using “human” food, meaning real meat, cheese, or fruit, if the dog likes it. Most of the time I use this if I want to make a big impact on the dog like for rewarding coming when called, or for a dog that has big feelings about other dogs, strangers, etc. Using a higher value treat such as these can help dogs who may be under a bit more stress. Let’s say you are unsure or worried about something in the environment, if someone gave you a $1 that might be somewhat rewarding, but if someone gave you $100, that would get your attention! The same thing applies to dogs, it often really helps to up the value of the reward.
Need more ideas? Check out my Amazon List of recommended dog treats! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.