Dog behaviourists offer urgent advice to owners on how to avoid bites at Christmas – and why letting visitors feed your pet isn’t the key

With all the festive cheer in the air, it can be difficult for some dogs to cope with the frenzied excitement that Christmas usually brings.

Dog parents can also become overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the special holiday, which in turn can cause stress for their dog and even lead to biting.

Dog-friendly holiday agents Canine Cottages have teamed up with Cheshire-based clinical animal behaviourist Rachel Rodgers to provide expert advice on coping with the Christmas period with a dog at home.

From creating a safe environment to installing baby gates and even not hand-feeding treats at dinner, the expert offers top tips to keep your home peaceful this Christmas.

Rachel said: ‘Whether you’re celebrating your first festive season with your beloved dog or enjoying your tenth, we sympathize with the potential challenges Christmas can bring for your furry friend.

‘The festive lights, more noises, extra people and changes to their routine can be overwhelming for any dog, especially those who tend to be reactive.

‘For most of the year, meeting your dog’s needs and ensuring his happiness and obedience is a simple task.

‘However, when the Christmas season arrives, the abundance of activities can create a truly overwhelming experience for both you and your furry friend.’

Here we provide four tips to ensure you and your dog have the most peaceful and enjoyable Christmas period, as revealed by our expert.

Pay attention to early warning signs

Dogs tend to show subtle signs of discomfort, such as tucking their tails under, pulling their ears back, yawning and lip licking.

Rachel explained, “If these subtle cues are innocently missed or ignored, your dog may turn to more drastic methods of showing discomfort, such as barking or lunging at the trigger he perceives as threatening.”

Rachel referred to Kendal Shepard’s ‘Ladder of Aggression’ for help in dealing with this: ‘At Christmas, your dog may hide under a chair or table.

“It’s important not to get into their space at this point as you would leave them with little choice but to escalate their behavior and possibly break up.”

Calm your dog

As you rush around entertaining guests and preparing Christmas dinner, it’s easy to lose your cool – and the same goes for your dog.

However, it is important to remember that a reactive dog often struggles emotionally with a situation.

Although the barking may annoy you, more often than not lunging, biting and even yelling ‘naughty dog’ will scare him.

“Consider using physical barriers such as baby gates and crates to prevent your dog from making a bad choice and to keep him safe,” says Rachel.

She also stressed that these “should not be used as punishment, but should instead be used to reduce risk and prevent a bad situation from developing.”

You can also try giving your dog a rewarding distraction, such as a stuffed kong or a lickimat.

‘This will make them feel happier about being separated from you and will keep them occupied and calm away from all your visitors when it all gets a bit too much for them’.

Create a safe environment

Remember that your beloved dog views your home as a safe haven, but it can feel anything but safe once the festivities begin.

If you entertain at home, don’t forget to check on your pet and look for signs that they may be struggling and uncomfortable.

She said: ‘Many dogs would benefit from a break from the festivities and a safe, quiet place to retreat if it gets too much.

“If your dog suffers from separation anxiety and gets upset when he’s away from you, perhaps see if you or a family member can take him for a short sniff walk to decompress.”

As a bonus tip, she recommended expanding your dog’s food intake to smaller main meals so you can use high-value treats like chicken, sausage or cheese (in small amounts) to calm him down when things get tough.

Set boundaries to prevent bites

Christmas Day is bustling with activity and it can be a confusing experience for your pet. A lack of caution can lead to a biting incident.

Rachel explained what not to do when introducing your pet to guests: ‘If your dog is nervous, people are often tempted to give their guests treats to feed the dog.

‘However, your dog may concentrate on the food and prefer to take it away rather than ingest it properly. This can lead to problems because your dog will realize as soon as the food is gone that he is face to face with the scary thing: a stranger. This can cause your dog to panic, growl, and even bite the person.

The expert also advised against hand-feeding and instead encouraged visitors to drop treats on the floor and gently kick them away to create space.

She added: ‘This promotes a positive association for the dog and rewards good choices. Providing space is essential for anxious dogs to feel more comfortable and reduce anxiety.”