The holiday season is here, along with the chilly weather! Between the excitement of family gatherings, the influx of new sights and sounds, and the changing weather, it can be a lot for your fur baby to take in. This can be a challenge! If you’re a new puppy parent, it’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your pup while still enjoying all the merriment.
Prepare Your Puppy for the Holiday Hustle
Whether you have found your future pack member or are still anticipating their arrival, it’s good to have the basics ready. A puppy will react differently to new surroundings depending on their personality. However, accidents will be inevitable even if they’ve had some training. Part of preparing is accepting this reality amidst the joys of having a furry new friend to snuggle this season. However, these challenges don’t have to detract from the festivities!
Besides puppy-proofing your home as much as possible, we recommend adding a crate to your list of essentials. Crates can be very beneficial for dogs when used correctly. They serve as a safe, comfortable space and can help with training and provide a sense of security. With all the excitement, crate training is a wonderful start to healthy management of regulating your puppy’s behaviors. Providing a space away from the action can help them control their excitement or anxiety. Additionally, if you struggle to keep an eye on them, a closed area with a cozy bed can be a lifesaver!
That little furball is full of curiosity, especially as they become more comfortable with their surroundings. The temptation to turn a guest’s shoe into a chew toy can be a real problem! Having a space of their own to rest, unwind, and play can be just what they need to prevent them from getting into mischief.
How to Set and Keep a Schedule
No matter how much training your puppy has received, it can all go out the window on a day full of family, fun, and food! The most important part of any training is staying as consistent as possible. The hustle and bustle of the holidays can make it more challenging to stick to a routine. It is also easy to assume someone else is watching the dog.
At any gathering, it is wise to designate someone who will be responsible for the puppy. This way, a routine can be planned and followed as much as possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but keeping it as close to what you hope to have once the holidays are passed is ideal. Controlling the feeding and watering schedule will inevitably help in knowing when potty breaks are necessary. We recommend removing food and water between meals until your pup learns to indicate they need to go outside. This way, you know what they’ve had and when.
Until they are fully potty trained, here is a good guide to follow for potty breaks:
- 8–10 weeks: Take them out every 60 minutes during the day.
- 10–12 weeks: Take them out every 90 minutes during the day.
- 12+ weeks: Take them out every 120 minutes during the day.
Keep an eye out for suspicious yet purposeful wandering combined with sniffing. You’ll get to know the look of a pup searching for a place to “take care of business.”
Holiday Guests: Hosting and Socialization
If your plans for celebrating the holidays include visiting friends and family, it’s thoughtful to keep their preferences for canines in mind. Not everyone is a dog person. Some people are allergic. If you are hosting, it’s kind to keep in mind and respect your guest’s preferences. Puppies are not always the best behaved, so providing a dog-free zone and making sure your little furball is in his own separate space during meals are just some of the ways you can reduce stress and make everyone feel welcome.
On the other hand, if you are attending a gathering at a friend’s or family’s home- talk to the host ahead of time. Are they comfortable with you bringing your little furball? Do they have any requests, such as no dogs on the furniture? You should also ask if anyone else is attending who may be bringing their pets. Holidays are great socialization opportunities for your puppy if handled thoughtfully. Talk to your veterinarian to ensure your pup has all the necessary vaccinations before traveling or meeting other dogs.
How to Meet Fellow Furballs
It is best to introduce fellow canines outside to reduce stress. It is also good to have a plan if introductions do not go well. This could be as simple as keeping your pup on a leash or in its crate for a more significant amount of time than you were anticipating. There should be an equal balance of back and forth between dogs in play. Another dog shouldn’t pin your puppy down for more than 10 seconds. Watch for any signs of fear- canines often tuck their tail and whine when distraught.
We know you want to share your cute canine companion with everyone, hoping they love them as much as you do! However, respecting what your guests or hosts are comfortable with can go a long way in building a good relationship for everyone involved, including your newest furry family member. Having realistic expectations and planning ahead can help your holiday gatherings be all the more successful! We hope it leads to the best holiday season yet!
If you are looking for the perfect companion to celebrate the season, look at the puppies we have available and contact Gladys. She will be happy to walk you through our adoption process. If you are looking for more information on holiday training tips we recommend connecting with our local puppy trainer, Kimberly.
