• Many incidents with dogs and visitors occur around the front door. Pop your dog behind a secure barrier whilst your visitors enter the house until everyone is sitting calmly.
• Make sure your visitors know the rules when it comes to interacting with or being around your dog.
• Use leads, muzzles, and barriers as needed to gradually introduce your dog over as long a period as necessary. Give them regular breaks. Some dogs are better to remain behind a barrier throughout your visitors’ stay.
• Become familiar with your dog’s body language so you can better understand your dogs feelings and needs in any moment. Download your dog body language handouts here.
• Remember that if people are having a few drinks they may start to behave differently. Even with the best of intentions their change in behaviour, or even just the volume of their voice, can be very disconcerting for some dogs. Consider encouraging your dog away for breaks in their safe space.

If you have other dogs coming to visit you can use similar strategies. Meeting outside on neutral territory can be helpful, then coming inside together. 

Cats and dogs can find Christmas decorations intriguing! As funny as it can seem to start with, it can result in disaster if they end up getting tangled in the tree or lights, or pull the whole tree over. Decorations can be a risk to a dog at Christmas (and cats too, though they seem to mostly be less likely to eat them!).

Introduce your pet to the tree gradually. Put boisterous dogs on lead, or put up a play pen around the tree to stop access to tempting presents and decorations.

Provide alternative activities and reward appropriate behaviour. Don’t leave your pet unsupervised if they may play with or even wee on this natural-style new plant (*cough* handy new indoor toilet).

Dangling decorations of any kind may be worrying for sensitive types. Again provide lots of positives in that room, and remove anything that is just too much to handle. Keep presents up and out of the way, especially if they may contain food, otherwise there may be nothing left for humans to open come Christmas day!

Many of the foods that we enjoy are a danger to for a dog at Christmas. It is to be vigilant about what might be within reach. Although cats are typically less inclined to eat anything they can get their paws on, some things are very attractive to cats too. Cats also usually have more ability to get up onto high places to access human treats. Some common dangers for dogs and cats include:

• Chocolate
• Grapes (raisins, sultanas, currents) – think Christmas puddings and mince pies!
• Onions and others in the same family
• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners
• Pine needles from Christmas trees
• …and many more!

Be aware of what is in reach for your pet, and remove any presents that may have food, drink or foreign-bodies in waiting. Keeping presents totally out of reach is the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Christmas can be an exciting time, for our pets too! But remember that just like children they can become overwhelmed and overtired. Make sure to stick to their routines as much as possible and give them plenty of time to settle and sleep away from the excitement.

Some pets may become grouchy if there is too much going on or they feel they can’t get out of the way. Some may not be used to visitors, children or even meeting little elves or Santa Claus! Always watch your pets for signs of over-excitement or anxiety and give them time out as needed. And remember those magic drinks which can make people that bit more loud and animated which might be quite worrisome to pets.

If you’re thinking of going to see Santa with your dog at Christmas keep a very close eye on their body language to make sure they are just as happy to be there as you are. Advocate for your dog and keep people away if they need space.

• “How to create a safe space for dogs”
• “Understanding trigger stacking and your training”
• “When are separation problems not separation anxiety?”