The holiday season is magical, but let’s be honest, it can also be a little chaotic. Between the Christmas shopping, family gatherings, loud laughter, and endless plates of food, your home probably feels busier than usual. And while all of this excitement makes the season special for us, it can feel overwhelming for our dogs.
Sudden changes in routine, extra visitors, new smells, flashing lights, and a house full of activity can cause even the most well-behaved dog to get overstimulated. The good thing is that with a bit of preparation and a few intentional habits, you can help your dog stay calm, confident, and happy throughout the holidays.
Below are the most practical holiday dog manners based on real dog behavior training here in Maryland. These tips are simple but effective, and they’ll help your dog feel included in the festivities.
Build a Strong Place Command
If there’s one skill that makes the biggest difference during the holidays, it’s the place command. This cue teaches your dog to stay on a designated spot, like a bed or mat, while the world continues moving around them.
Why Place Helps During the Holidays
Think of place as your dog’s “calm corner.” Instead of pacing, barking, or getting underfoot while you’re cooking or hosting, your dog has a job: relax. Place training helps your dog feel secure and teaches them that they don’t need to react to every sound or movement.
How to Practice Place
Start with short sessions in a quiet room. Once your dog understands the basics, slowly add simple distractions like Christmas music, kids moving around, or you wrapping gifts. By the time Christmas arrives, your dog will see their place as a cozy sanctuary instead of feeling lost in the excitement.
Teach Polite Greeting Manners
Holiday guests often mean one thing for dogs — excitement at level 10. If your dog tends to jump, bark, or rush to the door, the holidays can get stressful fast.
Simple Greeting Routine
Practice a calm sit whenever someone approaches the door. If your dog stays seated, they earn the chance to greet. If they pop up or jump, reset and try again. It might take a few repetitions, but dogs learn quickly when the rules are clear. Before long, you’ll have peaceful, polite greetings instead of doorway chaos.
Set Clear Mealtime Boundaries
Holiday food is irresistible, and your dog knows it. But begging at the table or stealing dropped food can be dangerous and stressful for everyone.
Choosing a consistent spot for your dog to stay during meals can prevent a lot of trouble. It could be their place, a crate, or even just outside the dining room threshold. If your dog tries to wander toward the table, gently guide them back. Over time, they’ll understand that mealtime is their cue to relax, not to hover.
Prepare for Christmas Morning Excitement
Christmas morning is one of the happiest moments of the season and one of the most chaotic. Wrapping paper flying, kids squealing, toys everywhere… It’s basically a sensory explosion for dogs.
Practice leave it and drop it a few weeks before Christmas. These commands teach your dog to resist grabbing things or to release them easily. This small amount of prep makes Christmas morning so much smoother and keeps your dog safe around ribbons, packaging, and new toys that aren’t meant for them.
Maintain Daily Exercise and Structure
Dogs don’t handle extra energy very well. When they’re under exercised, it’s much harder for them to stay relaxed around guests and holiday activity.
Even on busy days, small moments of structure help. A ten-minute obedience session, a short walk, or a quick game that requires focus can do wonders. Think of it like a reset button it helps your dog release pent up energy and start fresh before the day gets hectic.
Create a Safe Retreat Space
Some dogs love being in the center of the action, while others need a break from all the noise and people. That’s completely normal. A bedroom, crate, or calm corner with a comfy bed gives your dog a place to decompress when things get too stimulating.
Your dog isn’t being “naughty” if they need space. They’re just regulating themselves and giving them permission to do that can prevent a lot of stress and unwanted behavior.
Introduce Your Dog to Decorations Slowly
Holiday decorations are fun for us but confusing for dogs. The tree, the lights, the new scents — everything feels unfamiliar.
Let your dog check out decorations one at a time. Reward calm behavior and redirect them if they try to paw, chew, or tug. This small introduction helps your dog understand that all the shiny new things are part of the home, not toys.
A calm and joyful holiday with your dog is absolutely possible. With a little structure, some practice, and clear expectations, your dog can feel confident and well-mannered even during the busiest parts of Christmas. Strengthen the place command, encourage polite greetings, set mealtime boundaries, prepare for gift excitement, and keep your dog’s routine steady.
These small habits make a huge difference in your dog’s behavior and your peace of mind. And if you want personalized help or advanced dog behavior training in Maryland, OLK9MD is always here to support your family. Here’s to a peaceful, happy, and mannered holiday season for you and your dog.