The holiday season, filled with family gatherings, festive events, and excitement, can be overwhelming for reactive dogs. These dogs may display fear, anxiety, or aggression in response to unfamiliar situations, and the influx of guests, children, and other dogs can create additional challenges. Here are practical tips to help keep your reactive dog calm.
1. Plan for Limited Interaction with Guests
During the holidays, your home may be filled with family, friends, and neighbours—which can overwhelm a reactive dog. New faces, sounds, and scents can cause stress, leading to behaviour such as barking, growling, or hiding.
- Create a safe space: Set up a quiet, secure area where your dog can retreat if they feel anxious. This could be a separate room or a crate they associate with comfort.
- Gradual introductions: If your dog is willing, introduce them to guests slowly and calmly. Keep your dog on a leash and let them approach people at their own pace. Reward them with treats for calm behaviour.
- Avoid forced interactions: Never push your dog to interact with guests, especially if they show signs of stress. Allow them to engage on their terms.
2. Keep Children in Mind
The holidays often bring more children into the home, which can be especially challenging for reactive dogs.
- Supervise all interactions: Always supervise interactions between children and your dog. Teach kids to avoid chasing, yelling, or grabbing at the dog, and ensure they understand the importance of giving the dog space.
- Set boundaries: Use barriers such as baby gates or a leash to limit close interactions between your dog and children.
- Teach calm behavior: Encourage children to approach the dog calmly and gently. Reward both the dog and the child with treats for respectful behaviour.
3. Navigating Dogs of Guests
If your guests bring their own dogs, this can add another layer of stress for a reactive dog. Unfamiliar dogs may trigger territorial behaviour, such as barking, growling, or even fighting.
- Introduce dogs slowly: If possible, introduce the dogs outside the home in a neutral space to avoid territorial issues. Keep them on a leash and allow them to approach one another from a safe distance.
- Know your dog’s triggers: Be aware of what might set off your dog, such as an unfamiliar dog getting too close. Prepare by separating the dogs if necessary to prevent stress.
- Give both dogs space: Ensure each dog has enough room to avoid each other if needed. Supervise their interactions to prevent escalation, and always provide an option for them to retreat.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is key during the holiday season. Reward your dog with treats, praise, or toys for calm behavior around guests, children, or other dogs. The more you reinforce good behaviour, the more your dog will associate positive experiences with these situations.
Final Thoughts
While the holidays can be joyful, they can also be stressful for owners of reactive dogs. By planning ahead, setting boundaries, and using positive reinforcement, you can help ensure both your dog and your guests enjoy a peaceful holiday season.
Joe Griffith has completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course and has logged more than 1,000 hours working with reactive and aggressive animals.
