Christmas week is full of excitement for us, but for many dogs it can feel overwhelming. The change in pace, busier homes, unfamiliar people and new smells all contribute to higher arousal levels. Spaniels, Cavapoos, Cockapoos and doodles often find this week particularly stimulating, and their behaviour can shift quickly when their environment becomes unpredictable.
If you’re looking for practical ways to support your dog during this period, this Christmas week survival for dogs guide will help you keep your dog relaxed, settled and able to cope with everything the festive season brings.
Christmas week survival for dogs: why this week feels different
Dogs thrive on predictability. Christmas week removes much of that structure.
Common stressors include:
- Visitors arriving without notice
- Busier mornings full of movement and noise
- Children running around with new toys
- Wrapping paper, rustling bags and unfamiliar scents
- Changes to walk times and sleep patterns
- More food being left within reach
Much of what owners see as “naughtiness” this week is simply overstimulation. Understanding this helps you respond calmly and realistically.
If your dog is already showing signs of increased excitement or difficulty settling, you might find last week’s blog helpful:
Keeping Your Dog Calm at Christmas
Christmas morning: how to set your dog up for success
Christmas morning often creates the highest amount of stimulation. Dogs absorb the excitement in the room, especially puppies and adolescents who have not yet developed emotional regulation.
Useful strategies include:
- Allowing your dog to settle before present opening begins
- Taking a short sniffy walk first to help reset their system
- Using a lead if needed to prevent rushing in or jumping
- Providing a safe area where they can step away from the excitement
- Supervising closely around children and noisy toys
If your dog finds it difficult to settle, you can drop your boundary or bed game video into this section to help owners support calm behaviour.
Boundaries that help during Christmas week
Boundaries give dogs clarity during busy days and are a core part of Christmas week survival for dogs. They help the dog understand where calm behaviour is expected and provide a predictable space when things feel overwhelming.
These may include:
- A designated bed or mat
- A gated area
- A quiet room for rest
- Short, structured calmness sessions throughout the day
Managing visitors throughout Christmas week
Not all dogs enjoy visitors, and even social dogs can struggle with the constant coming and going.
To support your dog:
- Allow them to choose when to approach
- Ask visitors to ignore your dog initially
- Keep greetings low-key
- Offer breaks before your dog becomes overstimulated
- Use scatter feeding to redirect excitement at the door
A section just for puppies: first Christmas behaviour spikes
Christmas week can be particularly overwhelming for puppies. Many experience temporary behaviour spikes such as:
- Increased biting
- Jumping
- Zoomies
- Whining
- Difficulty settling
- Overstimulation due to constant novelty
This is normal. Puppies often become overtired long before owners realise.
Support your puppy by:
- Protecting sleep (often up to 18 hours per day)
- Keeping interactions short and calm
- Rotating softer chews to support teething
- Supervising around decorations and presents
- Ending interactions before the puppy becomes overwhelmed
If biting increases this week, this guide may help you understand why:
Puppy Biting Blog
Food management during Christmas week
Christmas week increases the risk of dogs accessing food. Kitchens are busier, children leave food unattended, and relatives may offer food without thinking.
Common hazards include:
- Pigs in blankets
- Ham
- Stuffing (contains onions)
- Gravy and fats
- Chocolate
- Mince pies
- Bones from roasts
- Bins full of high-fat leftovers
You can place your do follow link here:
Blue Cross Christmas Dangers Page
Calmness activities for festive days
Short, simple calmness activities make a significant difference to Christmas week survival for dogs.
Helpful options include:
- Pre-prepared Kongs
- Licki mats
- Long-lasting natural chews
- Sniffing games
- Scatter feeding
- Short settle routines on a mat
- A calm walk away from busy areas
If your dog’s listening and recall have dipped recently due to higher arousal, this blog may help:
Recall Regression Blog
Reassurance: behaviour changes are normal this week
Dogs often show:
- Temporary recall dips
- More scavenging
- Increased vocalisation
- Difficulty resting
- More jumping or grabbing
- Restlessness around visitors
This isn’t defiance. It’s overstimulation. A big part of Christmas week survival for dogs is recognising these signs early and supporting your dog with structure, calmness, rest and gentle management.
Make sure you give your dogs a day off of quiet after the crazyness of Christmas so their buckets can empty.
January offers a brilliant chance to reset training if things feel messy during this period.
If you’d like help supporting your dog
If you’d like personalised support for calmness, visitors, rest or general behaviour around the festive season, I offer 121 training across Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa.
Dream Puppy Programme — ideal for puppies experiencing their first Christmas.
Dream Dog Programme — perfect for adolescent and adult dogs needing support with calmness, manners and household behaviour.
