A Guide to a Calm Holiday Season with Your Dog

The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for dog parents, it can also bring a whirlwind of stress.

Between bustling schedules, a parade of visitors, and the clatter of festive chaos, even the calmest dogs might feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, with a little planning and some creative management, you can navigate the holiday hustle while keeping your dog happy and your household peaceful.
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Let’s dive into the key strategies to reduce stress for your dog—and yourself—this holiday season.

Choosing the right vet is not just about medical expertise—it’s about finding someone who understands and prioritizes your dog's emotional well-being, especially if they’re prone to anxiety.

While vets and vet techs do their best with the resources and tools they have, they don’t always get the full picture or see what happens behind the scenes at home. That's why it’s so important to remain curious, empathetic, and respectful while advocating for your dog’s needs.

​Here are five essential questions to ask when selecting a vet for your anxious pet. These will help ensure that the clinic not only takes care of your dog’s physical health but also makes them feel comfortable and safe during every visit.

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Ever work with your dog, feel like you're making good momentum, and then get STUCK somewhere in the process? Me too. 

When your dog's training plan doesn’t seem to be working, it’s easy to feel frustrated or unsure about what to change. The EVAL Process is a great tool for analyzing what might be going wrong and where to adjust your approach. It focuses on four key areas: Experience, Value, Action, and Level. By taking a closer look at each of these areas, you can identify the source of the issue and find a path forward. 

Let's look at the 4 different ways you can EVAL where things are not working...

When we think of Toy Dogs, many might picture petite, cuddly companions perfectly suited for an Instagram photo. However, these small dogs, known for their companionship and charm, carry a rich history and distinct traits that make them much more than just adorable pets.

Toy Dogs include those who were historically bred for the purpose of companionship and as lap dogs, based in ethology, not AKC or UKC standards. These include, but aren't limited to:
The Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Chinese Crested, Cavalier King Charles, Papillon, Toy Poodle, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Shih Tzu, and more.

As pet parents, it's essential to understand our dogs' behavior and how they react to various stimuli. Recognizing your dog's trigger zones can help you support them better and create a safer and more comfortable environment for them. In this post, we'll delve into the five trigger zones for dogs and how you can identify and respond to each one.

Love languages, a concept popularized by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book "The 5 Love Languages," refer to the different ways individuals express and experience love. According to Chapman, there are five primary love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each person has a primary and sometimes secondary love language, which dictates how they prefer to give and receive love from others.
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These love languages provide valuable insights into understanding and strengthening relationships, as they emphasize the importance of expressing affection in ways that resonate most deeply with the other person/being.

While initially applied to human relationships, I believe the concept can also be applied to how we show love and affection in our relationships with our pups! Understanding this not only strengthens the bond between you but also helps maintain a healthy and happy relationship long term, something referred to as building social currency. 

In this post, I want to help you explore the same five Love Languages and how they may be spoken or received by your dog so you can determine which ones your dog values most.

Physical Touch, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, and Gifts. 

By understanding these, you can ensure a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship with your family pup.