Christmas is around the corner and lots of people have welcomed new puppies into their
homes, which is very exciting but leads to a whole range of challenges!
So what can we do to make sure Christmas is enjoyable and fun but also safe for our new
puppy?
Here are my top 5 tips for preparing for Christmas with a puppy.
- INTRODUCE YOUR PUPPY TO A CRATE
WHY?
A safe space to protect from giddy children or overenthusiastic visitors
A place for naps if they get overtired
A place for meals out of the way of guests to prevent guarding issues
HOW?
Select a quiet area in your home where your puppy can have some peace and quiet.
Avoid high-traffic areas or places with a lot of noise. A spare room or a corner of a
room works well.
Provide a cosy and comfortable bed for your puppy. This should be a soft, washable
bed that they can snuggle into. Make it inviting by placing a few familiar toys and a
blanket with your scent in the area.
Introduce your puppy to their safe space gradually. Encourage them to explore the
area at their own pace. Use positive reinforcement by offering treats and praise when
they enter the space. This helps create a positive association.
If your puppy retreats to their safe space, respect their need for solitude. Avoid
disturbing them during these times, as it’s essential for your puppy to have a quiet
place to relax and recharge.
Keep an eye on your puppy’s behaviour in their safe space. If they seem stressed or
anxious, consider adjusting the setup. Adding comforting items like a soft blanket or a
piece of your worn clothing can provide additional reassurance.
2. MAKE SURE YOUR PUPPY GETS ENOUGH SLEEP AND STICK TO ROUTINE
WHY?
So they don’t get nippy and silly (puppies need 16 to 20 hours sleep a day!)
To make sure they still get attention, play, training and exercise
To make sure they are tired out ready for naps
HOW?
Morning:
● Begin the day by taking your puppy for a morning walk to let them stretch their
legs and relieve themselves.
● Serve your puppy a breakfast.
● Engage in some playtime and short training sessions. Use positive
reinforcement to reinforce basic commands and strengthen your bond.
● Supervised present unwrapping
NAPTIME
Afternoon:
● Take your puppy for a festive walk. If the weather permits, explore the
neighbourhood or a local park. This can also be an excellent opportunity for
gentle socialisation with other dogs.
● Spend some quality time engaging in interactive play. Use toys that encourage
mental stimulation and physical activity.
● Prepare a special Christmas lunch for your puppy.
NAPTIME
Early Evening:
● Take your puppy for a short walk to help them relieve themselves.
● Serve a festive dinner for your puppy.
● Settle down for some quiet time together. Whether it’s watching a festive
movie or reading a book, create a cosy atmosphere for you and your puppy.
BEDTIME
3. PUPPY PROOF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
WHY?
Dangerous to puppy
Expense of vets fees
Stressful for you!
HOW?
Fence off your tree or put it out of reach
Hang Higher Ornaments: Hang fragile or potentially harmful ornaments higher on the
tree where your puppy can’t reach. Reserve the lower branches for non-breakable and
non-toxic decorations.
Cover Cords: Cover electrical cords with protective tubing or use cord organisers to
prevent your puppy from chewing on them.
Choose Pet-Safe Plants: Some holiday plants, like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe, can
be toxic to dogs. Opt for pet-friendly alternatives or place these plants in areas your
puppy can’t access.
Keep Gifts Elevated: If possible, keep wrapped gifts on elevated surfaces to prevent
your puppy from tearing into them. Avoid using ribbons and bows that can be chewed
and swallowed.
Place Candles Safely: Keep lit candles out of your puppy’s reach to prevent burns or
fires. Consider flameless LED candles as a safer alternative.
Supervise Interactions: Keep a close eye on your puppy when they are near
decorations. If you notice them showing interest in something they shouldn’t, gently
redirect their attention to a safe toy or activity.
Use Decorations as Training Props: Reinforce basic commands like “leave it” and “drop”
4. PREPARE FOR VISITORS
WHY?
Puppies can become worried when there are more people than usual – can be stressful
for them and lead to problems as they get older.
Or alternatively they can get giddy and silly and practise bad behaviours
HOW?
Start by introducing your puppy to visitors gradually. If possible, allow your puppy to
meet guests one at a time rather than in a large group. This helps your puppy feel less
overwhelmed.
Encourage your guests to use positive reinforcement when interacting with your puppy.
Offer treats and praise for calm behaviour. This helps create positive associations with
meeting new people.
Have your puppy on a lead when first introducing them to visitors. This allows you to
maintain control and helps your puppy feel secure. Ensure the lead is loose, and avoid
tension to prevent your puppy from feeling restrained.
Let your puppy approach the visitors at their own pace. Avoid forcing interactions. If
your puppy seems hesitant, it’s okay to take things slowly. Offer treats to encourage
positive associations.
Designate a quiet and comfortable space where your puppy can retreat if they feel
overwhelmed. This could be their crate or a cosy corner with familiar toys and a
comfortable bed. Allow your puppy to go to this space whenever they need a break.
Pay close attention to your puppy’s body language. If they show signs of stress, fear, or
discomfort (such as cowering, excessive panting, or avoiding eye contact), give them
more space and time to acclimate.
Keep initial interactions short and positive. Gradually extend the time as your puppy
becomes more comfortable. This prevents overstimulation and helps build positive
associations with socialising.
Brief your guests on how to interact with your puppy. Ask them to avoid sudden
movements, loud noises, or reaching over your puppy’s head, as these actions can be
intimidating to dogs.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
Educate Children on Puppy behaviour:
● Before the introduction, take a moment to educate the children about puppy
behaviour. Teach them about the importance of being calm, gentle, and respectful to
the new puppy. Explain that puppies may need their own space at times.
Supervise the Interaction:
● Always supervise interactions between the puppy and children, especially during the
initial introductions. This ensures safety for both the puppy and the children and helps
prevent unintentional rough play.
Start with Calm Greetings:
● Begin the introduction in a calm manner. Allow the puppy to approach the children at
their own pace. Encourage the children to avoid loud noises or sudden movements that
may startle the puppy.
Use Treats for Positive Associations:
● Have the children offer treats to the puppy, allowing the puppy to associate positive
experiences with their presence. Show the children how to give treats gently and
without quick or jerky movements.
Teach Gentle Petting:
● Demonstrate and guide the children on how to pet the puppy gently. Encourage them
to use slow, calm strokes and avoid pulling on ears or tails. Reinforce the idea that
gentle touches are appreciated by the puppy.
Set Boundaries:
● Establish boundaries for both the puppy and the children. Teach the children when it’s
appropriate to interact with the puppy and when the puppy may need some alone
time. This helps create a positive and respectful relationship.
Provide Safe Spaces:
● Ensure that the puppy has access to a safe space where they can retreat if they feel
overwhelmed. Teach the children to recognize when the puppy needs a break and to
respect their need for solitude.
5. KNOW WHICH FOODS ARE SAFE
WHY?
Some are toxic to dogs
HOW?
Keep foods out of reach and high up.
Shut puppy out of rooms with food in like kitchen and dining room
Use crate during busy mealtimes
WHICH FOOD?
Chocolate:
● Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking
chocolate have higher theobromine levels and pose a greater risk. Ingesting chocolate
can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to more severe issues like
increased heart rate and seizures.
Onions and Garlic:
● Onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or in powdered form, can damage a dog’s red
blood cells and lead to anemia. This includes dishes that contain onion or garlic as
ingredients.
Grapes and Raisins:
● Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even a small amount can be toxic.
Symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
Avocado:
● Avocado contains a substance called persin, which can be toxic to dogs. While the
flesh is less dangerous, the pit and skin contain higher levels of persin. Ingesting large
amounts may cause stomach upset.
Nuts:
● Some nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and macadamia nuts, can be toxic to dogs.
Macadamia nuts, in particular, can cause weakness, vomiting, and hyperthermia.
Xylitol:
● Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in sugar-free gum, candies, and baked goods.
It can cause insulin release in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
seizures, and liver failure.
Alcohol:
● Alcoholic beverages can cause intoxication in dogs, leading to symptoms like vomiting,
loss of coordination, and even coma. Never allow your puppy access to alcoholic
drinks.
Coffee and Caffeine:
● Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, and certain sodas. Ingesting caffeine can lead to
restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and, in severe cases, death.
Bones and Fat Trimmings:
● While small, cooked, and unseasoned bone treats are generally safe, avoid giving your
puppy cooked bones that can splinter. Fat trimmings from meat can cause
pancreatitis, leading to digestive issues.