Keeping Your Dog Safe and Happy in the Run Up to Christmas 🎄🐶

Practical winter tips for busy families and tired humans

The run up to Christmas is exciting for most families. Lights go up, plans pile in and the evenings seem to disappear before you even get home. Many owners step through the door cold, wet and already in the dark, while their dog has spent hours waiting for some stimulation and a proper walk.

December often disrupts even the best routines, and that can make things tricky for our dogs. This guide keeps everything simple with practical, dog-friendly tips that help you maintain your dog’s wellbeing and safety throughout the Christmas season.

1. Avoid Chocolate Decorations on the Tree

It seems obvious, yet every year I hear about dogs stealing chocolate baubles from low branches. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and the foil wrapping does not stop them. If you want edible decorations, keep them high out of reach, although removing them entirely is usually the safest option.

2. Consider Blocking Off the Christmas Tree

Young puppies often find Christmas trees irresistible. Baubles within reach, interesting scents, tempting wires and a whole hidden area behind the tree. If your dog is at the stage where curiosity overrides good judgement, use a baby gate or pen to keep the tree separate. Hanging decorations a little higher also helps avoid accidents caused by enthusiastic, wagging tails.

3. Keep Cables Tidy

Christmas lights, extension leads and phone chargers are very attractive to dogs who like to chew. Cable trunking or simple covers prevent a lot of trouble. If that is not possible, tape wires out of reach until January. Electrical cables and puppy teeth are not a good combination.

4. Be Careful With Candles and Wax Melts

Candles, tealights and wax burners make rooms feel cosy but they can be risky with an excitable dog in the mix. Tails can knock them over and curious noses can get too close. Keep anything hot or fragile on high shelves or in areas your dog cannot access.

5. Introduce a Calm Chill Zone Before Christmas Day

Your dog will benefit from having a quiet place to relax when the celebrations begin. Start introducing this now so it feels familiar. Add a comfortable bed, access to water, and a chew or LickiMat. A baby gate works well if you want to give your dog a space where children cannot follow.

A good stocking filler for young families is the Doggie Language Book which helps children understand dog body language. It is available here: Doggie Language Book.

6. Meeting Needs When Walks Are Shorter

I always encourage owners to keep walking their dogs throughout winter. The evenings draw in early though and some nights are genuinely difficult. This is when enrichment becomes useful.

A few simple options include:

• Frozen LickiMats
  Keep a couple in the freezer so they are ready at any time.
• Scent games indoors
  Hide a handful of treats around one room and let your dog search. It is surprisingly tiring for them.
• Snuffle mats and scatter feeding
  Turn dinner into a short sniffing activity rather than a quick bowl of food.
• Cardboard destruction boxes
  If you have a steady stream of Amazon deliveries, put the boxes to good use. Add scrunched paper and a handful of treats or a chew, supervise closely and let your dog enjoy some natural foraging behaviour.
• Healthy natural chews
  If your dog enjoys chewing, buy a few good quality options for the month ahead. Avoid rawhide. It is poorly processed and not kind on a dog’s stomach. You can find natural alternatives here: Chews.

If you have not already read it, my night time walking guide has some useful equipment suggestions for winter evenings: Best Night-Time Dog Walking Gear.

7. Be Careful When Baking

Mince pies, stollen and Christmas cake contain ingredients that are dangerous for dogs. Raisins, sultanas, currants, chocolate and alcohol are the main concerns. There is also the risk of dropped ingredients on the floor or bowls left within reach. If your dog is the type to plant themselves under the counter while you bake, it is worth setting some boundaries or popping them in another room.

Check out our full article: Foods & Items Poisonous to Dogs.

8. Prepare for Children and Visitors

If you know Christmas Day will be lively, use December to practise a few helpful habits. A reliable settle on a mat, waiting behind a baby gate and taking themselves to a quiet space make the celebrations much smoother. Here’s our easy way to teach ‘Place‘.

Visitors should be told the rules before they arrive. Children especially need guidance on how to behave around dogs when excitement levels rise.

This guide is a helpful resource for teaching children what to do and what to avoid: Children & Dogs.

9. Please Avoid Rawhide

Shops often sell festive rawhide in the shape of stockings, candy canes and stars. The presentation is appealing but rawhide is not a healthy option. Natural chews are far safer and more satisfying for dogs.

10. Protect Your Dog’s Sleep

December tends to be more stimulating than usual. New smells, lights, parcels, wrapping paper and a changing routine all have an impact. Tired dogs find it harder to cope with surprises and noise. Keeping their sleep routine as normal as possible helps them stay calm.

Final Thoughts

The build up to Christmas does not have to be stressful for your dog. A few thoughtful adjustments can make a significant difference to dog safety at Christmas and your dog’s overall wellbeing. Safe decorations, sensible enrichment and a calm space to relax all support your dog through the busiest month of the year.

You can now go and read our article on Top 10 Christmas Day Dog Tips.

Christmas Dog Safety FAQs