Most people dread returning to work after the holidays. The fun is over, the decorations still need to be taken down, the credit cards still need to be paid off, and all the daily routines are in chaos.
Dog trainers and rescuers dread it for a different reason: the “holiday gathering disaster” calls that always come. Patricia McConnell describes an extreme version of this:
One holiday season, years ago, I had five “do I have to kill my dog cases?,” all serious bites to visitors, on December 23rd and 24th. So sad.
Holidays are very stressful on dogs. Their routines get annihilated, weird people come through the house, decorations make familiar places seem alien, and all of those wonderful holiday scents cover up their preferred smells. People drink too much, pay far too little attention to the dog’s body language — and then something bad happens.
A bite, like a DUI, is hard to get off a dog’s record. So just as you may take those keys from a drunk friend, keep an eye out for your dog.
Patrica McConnell again puts it well:
If visitors are coming to you, do what most professionals do, and thank the heavens for dog crates and X-pens. It seems to be the pro’s who are most likely to put their dogs away to prevent problems, rather than crossing their fingers and saying “I think it’ll be okay…”. Anytime I hear myself asking that question, I know to change my tune and do whatever I need to do to know that it’ll be okay.
Hoping for the best is not a safe plan. A few tips:
– Keep an eye out for signs of discomfort: Lip licks, head turns, whale eye, head ducks, stiffened posture. If the dog ever seems to be avoiding people, make sure people do not pursue the dog.
– Have guests pause for a few seconds when petting or playing with the dog. Does he come back for more? Does he slink off? If so, make your guests respect that decision.
– Don’t let drunk people put their face in your dog’s space.
– At the very least, consider having the dogs behind a gate when people are entering and leaving. These are prime times for a dog to dart through the door and into the street. Holidays are also the most common times for dogs to go missing.
– Make sure the dog has a place to go that is off-limits to guests, especially children. The dog needs a safe haven.
– Don’t let children go under a table after a dog. A dog hiding under the table is likely looking for peace and quiet. I will tell the full story later, but when I was a kid, my younger brother was bit in the face when he crawled onto a dog that was resting under the table.
– Be wary of “dog lovers” who want to force a shy dog to like them. Most of the problems actually occur with dog lovers (and kids) whose exuberance exceeds their dog skills. Dogs don’t play “hard to get.” If they want attention, they will seek it. Yes, guests might get offended, just as they will when you tell them they shouldn’t be driving after downing 5 holiday cocktails. If you don’t feel confident and capable of interrupting guests, then consider having the dogs put away.
– Be careful with food scraps, especially food with cooked bones, which can splinter in the dog’s stomach, and chocolate, which is toxic (especially the good stuff).
So now that I’ve put a damper on your holiday spirit, here are some happier links.
Gift ideas for last minute shopping.
Dog books to read by the fireplace.
And a picture of a rescue dog in a Christmas sweater to prove that I am not out to steal holiday cheer like the Grinch:
Stay safe. Safe calm. Have fun.