Rachael Sann | December 5, 2023
Make the holidays great for you and your pet!
The holidays are great fun for us humans, we see family and friends, indulge in delicious food, decorate our homes and exchange gifts. However if you’re sharing your holiday season with a standard poodle, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure this exciting time of the year is stress-free for both you and your poodle. Remember, with change in schedule and all of the other festivities your standard poodle might need some help and patience from you in order to adjust. Here are some tips to help make your holiday season with your poodle a memorable one.
Dealing with visitors:
If you’re hosting a holiday party and you’ve got a standard poodle at home it’s important to prepare your space, your guests and your pup for an incident free party.
Introductions
- If your dog is going to be mingling, be sure to introduce your poodle to the visitors so neither your pup nor your guests are caught off-guard
- Give your guests some guidelines for interacting with your pup based on what you know about your dog (ie, letting the dog approach you, not petting certain spots or other nuances)
- Make sure everyone who is attending your get-together is aware your dog will be present so they can make the best decision for their family if they feel nervous or weary of dogs
Create A Safe Space
- Designate a quiet and comfortable space for your poodle so they can rest and retreat if they feel overwhelmed by guests
- You can use a crate or a specific room with their bed and favorite toys
- This should be a place where they won’t be interrupted or visited by other guests so your poodle can get adequate rest if they need it
Training and Behavior
- Ideally your poodle should be well-trained before you have a house full of guests. You’ll want them to obey basic commands in order to best manage them around visitors
- Closely monitor your poodle’s behavior around guests to make sure they’re not jumping
Handling travel and schedule changes:
The holiday season often means traveling, staying out later than normal, and other unpredictable schedule changes. This can affect your poodle if you’re not planning ahead.
Maintain Routine:
- Stick to your poodle’s regular feeding, walking and playtime schedule as best as possible
- Maintaining as much consistency as you can will help to reduce stress and anxiety (and unwanted behavior) in your standard poodle
Prepare for Travel:
- Pack familiar items like their bed, favorite toys, food and their dishes
- If you’re driving a long distance make sure you plan for regular breaks to play, walk and take bathroom breaks
Adjustment Period:
- Understand that changes in routine or environment might affect your poodle’s behavior
- Be patient, give them time and space to adjust to their new surroundings while maintaining boundaries and training
Navigating the extra food temptations
The holiday season usually includes an influx of meals, snacks, goodies and treats. While you (or your guests) might be tempted to share these festivities with your poodle, it’s important to keep your pup’s dietary needs and overall health in mind.
Educate Your Guests:
- Make sure your guests know about your poodle’s dietary restrictions and know your rules about feeding your dog without permission
- If you and your guests feel like they want to share in the holiday spirit with your pup, consider having some approved treats available
Secure Trash Bins:
- Dogs and especially puppies can be tempted by the smells coming from your trash can at holiday parties
- Make sure the trash bins are secure and in locations that are inaccessible to your pup
- Remind your guests to clean up after themselves so your pup doesn’t accidentally find some food they’re not supposed to have
Monitor Food Access:
- It might be necessary to put your poodle in their crate or in a separate room during mealtime
- Keep an eye on your poodle when food is out and available to make sure they aren’t eating anything they shouldn’t
Keeping them away from gifts and decorations
Gifts and decorations are a fun and festive part of the holiday season. Although these might be magical for us, they might be potentially problematic for your standard poodle if you’re not thinking ahead.
Puppy Proofing:
- Be cautious about leaving wrapped gifts under the tree or anywhere else within their reach as they might be tempted to explore and chew
- If you’re decorating your tree, consider whether or not it’s a good idea to put ornaments on the lower branches. As always, you know your pup best so you can decorate accordingly
- Place a gate or barrier around the tree and gifts or any other decorations that you want to keep your poodle away from
Supervision
- Keep an eye on your poodle, especially if you notice them eyeing up your decorations or wrapped gifts
- Remove (or place out of reach) small decorations that could be harmful if ingested
You can have a happy holiday season with your poodle!
It might take a little more planning and a little more effort on your part, but it’s totally possible to include your furry companion in your holiday festivities. Create wonderful memories with your family and your pup by first ensuring your poodle is trained, occupied and well cared for especially during this busy season.
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