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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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.

Think about your daily life. How many patterns can you recognize throughout your day? 
Your bedtime routine, the side of the bed you sleep on, your wake-up routine, how you get your kids ready for school or how you get ready for work, your shower routine, how you brush your teeth, how you tie your shoes, the route you take to work... Patterns are powerful and they offer our brain a chance to not have to process what is going to happen next. They offer predictability and therefore a feeling of safety and security.

The same is true for our dogs. 

​Let me explain...

What is Enrichment?
Enrichment is more than just play and food— it's a way of meeting your dog's physical, mental, and emotional needs so they can feel more like... well... a dog. It's about engaging their natural instincts, providing mental stimulation, and creating an environment that fosters joy and curiosity.

The Benefits of Canine Enrichment:

• Mental Stimulation: Just like us, dogs need mental workouts on a regular basis. Enrichment activities challenge them, helping to keep them sharp, focused, and engaged.
• Physical Exercise: Enrichment is a fantastic way to keep pups physically active, ensuring they get the exercise they need to keep those good endorphins flowing!
• Emotional Well-being: Enrichment promotes positive emotional experiences, reducing stress and anxiety.

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Think about things you might enjoy doing, hobbies that make you feel more happy and relaxed. I personally enjoy doing puzzles. That meets my needs much better than doom scrolling Facebook might. Either activity may provide some form of enrichment but one is likely meeting my needs a bit better than the other.

One important thing to remember is that it doesn't count as enrichment if it doesn't meet YOUR dog's need and desire. That means that what might be enriching for one dog may not be for another. For that reason, I put together some Boredom Buster enrichment games that will likely meet the majority of dogs' needs out there! They're easy, fun, and engaging for most.

Why games like "Boredom Busters" matter: Dogs, like us, thrive on variety and novelty. Boredom can lead to unwanted behaviors, from excessive barking to destructive chewing. Boredom busters not only keep your dog entertained but also strengthen the bond between you and your furry family member.
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Check out Volume 1: Explore a variety of printable activity cards, from DIY ice toys perfect for summer to holiday-themed paper roll treat unwrapping. Whether you're looking for indoor adventures or frozen delights, the first volume of boredom busters caters to all seasons and preferences. Grab the full set here