From Thanksgiving Chaos to Christmas Calm: Fix Dog Holiday Behavior Issues
The last piece of pumpkin pie has been eaten, the relatives have gone home, and you're finally catching your breath after Thanksgiving. But if you're like many dog owners, you might be replaying some not-so-perfect moments involving your four-legged family member. Perhaps there was excessive barking when guests arrived, counter surfing that resulted in a missing turkey leg, or anxious pacing that had everyone on edge.
The good news? You have about three weeks until Christmas gatherings begin—plenty of time to address those Thanksgiving behavior issues and set your dog up for success during the next round of holiday festivities.
Identifying What Went Wrong: Common Holiday Dog Behaviors
Before we dive into solutions, let's identify the most common holiday behavior challenges dogs exhibit during family gatherings.
The Enthusiastic Greeter
Last Christmas, our client Sarah was mortified when her energetic Labrador, Cooper, nearly knocked over her 80-year-old grandmother with his exuberant jumping. "He's friendly, but his greetings are just too much," Sarah explained during our first session. "I was constantly apologizing and trying to hold him back, which meant I couldn't properly welcome my own guests."
This over-the-top greeting behavior is one of the most common complaints we hear about dogs during the holidays. The excitement of new people, combined with the heightened energy in the home, can turn even well-mannered dogs into bouncing, barking greeting machines.
The Resourceful Food Finder
The holiday season means delicious food is often accessible—or at least within jumping distance—of your dog. Mike and Jennifer came to us after a previous Thanksgiving when their German Shepherd mix, Bruno, growled at a guest who walked too close to the dining table. "He's normally so gentle, but something about the holiday feast brought out resource guarding we hadn't seen before," Jennifer shared.
From counter surfing to table begging to guarding food items, many dogs struggle with impulse control when holiday feasts are involved.
The Holiday Anxiety Sufferer
The Williams family's Goldendoodle, Bella, spent last year's entire Christmas gathering pacing, whining, and unable to settle. "We couldn't enjoy conversations because Bella was so visibly stressed. She didn't calm down until the last guest left, and by then, we were all exhausted," Mrs. Williams told us.
Changes in routine, unfamiliar people, unusual decorations, and the general chaos of holiday gatherings can trigger anxiety in many dogs.
The Escape Artist
With guests coming and going, doors opening frequently, and general household chaos, the holidays present the perfect opportunity for dogs to make a break for it. This risk increases when visiting homes where your dog isn't familiar with the boundaries.
Understanding Why Holiday Behavior Problems Occur
Before addressing these behaviors, it's important to understand why they happen:
Routine disruption: Dogs thrive on consistency, and holidays demolish normal routines.
Environmental changes: New decorations, rearranged furniture, and unusual smells can be unsettling.
Energy absorption: Dogs are incredibly sensitive to human emotions and can absorb the stress, excitement, or anxiety of holiday preparations.
Lack of exercise: Busy holiday schedules often mean less physical activity for dogs, leading to pent-up energy.
Unclear expectations: In the holiday chaos, we often fail to communicate clearly what behaviors we expect from our dogs.
The 3-Week Holiday Behavior Reset: From Thanksgiving to Christmas
With Christmas approaching, you have about three weeks to work on transforming your dog's holiday behavior. Here's a comprehensive plan that addresses immediate management, training fundamentals, and relationship building.
Week 1: Management Solutions (Quick Fixes)
When time is limited, management prevents problems while you work on longer-term solutions.
For Enthusiastic Greeters:
Set up a baby gate or exercise pen to create a boundary between your dog and the door
Keep a leash handy to maintain control during initial greetings
Prepare high-value treats near entry points to redirect attention
For Food-Focused Dogs:
Create a dog-proof zone in your kitchen using baby gates
Practice keeping counters clear of food, even when not cooking
Consider using a crate or place command during meal preparation and dining
For Anxious Dogs:
Create a quiet "retreat space" away from the main gathering area
Add comfort items like favorite beds, toys, and perhaps a white noise machine
Consider calming aids like ThunderShirts or pheromone diffusers (consult your vet)
For Potential Escape Artists:
Secure doors with child locks if necessary
Put up "please don't let the dog out" signs for guests
Consider a drag leash for quick grabbing if needed
💡 Management Tip: Take a photo of your holiday setup from your dog's perspective (at their eye level). You'll spot temptations and problem areas you might otherwise miss!
Week 2: Training Fundamentals (Medium-Term Solutions)
Now that you have management in place, it's time to work on specific skills your dog will need during holiday gatherings.
For Enthusiastic Greeters:
Practice "four on the floor" - reward your dog only when all paws are on the ground
Teach an alternative greeting behavior like sitting or bringing a toy
Role-play with family members pretending to be guests
For Food-Focused Dogs:
Strengthen "leave it" and "wait" commands with increasing distractions
Practice place command during your family meals
Create positive associations with people approaching their food bowl by adding treats
For Anxious Dogs:
Work on building positive associations with holiday triggers (decorations, specific sounds)
Practice brief separations with comfort items in their retreat space
Teach a solid "settle" or "relax" command on a designated mat
For Potential Escape Artists:
Reinforce a solid "wait" command at all doors
Practice recalls with increasing distractions
Reward for checking in with you voluntarily
Week 3: Relationship Building (Long-Term Solutions)
In this final week before Christmas, focus on strengthening your communication and relationship with your dog.
Clarity in Communication:
Be consistent with cues and expectations
Ensure all family members use the same commands and boundaries
Practice clear transitions between activities (play time vs. quiet time)
Confidence Building:
Create successful experiences with smaller gatherings before the big day
Practice holiday scenarios with just family members
Reward calm behavior generously
Connection Strengthening:
Schedule daily one-on-one time without holiday distractions
Practice reading your dog's subtle stress signals
Build trust through predictable interactions
Day-of Christmas Preparation: Final Tips for Success
Even with three weeks of preparation, the actual holiday gathering requires special consideration:
Before Guests Arrive:
Exercise your dog thoroughly that morning
Create a familiar setup in their safe space
Review rules with family members
Have management tools ready
During the Gathering:
Monitor your dog's stress signals (yawning, lip licking, whale eye)
Schedule breaks away from the action
Be prepared to use your management plan if needed
Assign a family member to be the "dog monitor" if you're busy hosting
For Visiting Other Homes:
Bring familiar items (bed, toys, treats)
Arrive early to help your dog acclimate
Discuss boundaries with the host beforehand
Have an exit strategy if things aren't working out
Success Stories: Transformation Is Possible
When Sarah worked with us on Cooper's jumping after last Christmas, we implemented a comprehensive greeting protocol. By focusing on impulse control and teaching an alternative greeting behavior, Cooper greeted Easter guests calmly with a toy in his mouth. "I actually enjoyed hosting again," Sarah told us.
Mike and Jennifer addressed Bruno's resource guarding with a combination of management, controlled exposure to triggers, and building positive associations with people near his food. "The transformation was remarkable," Mike shared. "By our summer barbecue, Bruno was relaxed around food even with guests nearby."
The Williams family worked on creating positive associations with visitors for Bella. They established a comfortable retreat space and taught her a solid place command. "At our Fourth of July gathering, Bella was able to relax on her mat for most of the evening. We could actually have conversations without constant interruption," Mrs. Williams reported.
The Gift of Training: Long-Term Benefits
The best part about addressing these holiday behavior issues is that the benefits extend far beyond Christmas. The impulse control, communication skills, and confidence your dog develops will improve your relationship year-round.
Remember that training is never "one and done." Like any relationship, it requires ongoing communication, consistency, and understanding. Each holiday season presents new opportunities to strengthen your bond with your dog.
When to Seek Professional Help
While many holiday behavior issues can be addressed with the strategies outlined above, some situations benefit from professional guidance:
Aggressive behaviors (growling, snapping, biting)
Severe anxiety that doesn't respond to management
Destructive behaviors when left alone
Issues that have persisted through multiple holiday seasons
If you've tried addressing these behaviors on your own without success, or if you're concerned about safety during holiday gatherings, professional help can make all the difference.
Call me at (248) 618-3258 or email [email protected] to discuss how we can transform your dog's holiday behavior before Christmas arrives. Our proven Canine Connection Compass methodology has helped hundreds of dogs overcome greeting issues, food manners problems, and holiday anxiety.
You don't have to choose between enjoying your holiday gatherings and including your dog. With the right approach, you can have both!
Happy training!
Mandy Majchrzak
Owner and Head Trainer
Clever Canine Dog Training
Metro Detroit's Family Dog Training Specialists
