3 Tips to Stay Consistent with Your Dog’s Training Before the Holidays
The holidays are an exciting, joyful time—but they can also be chaotic, especially for dogs. From family gatherings to bustling kitchens to unexpected guests, there are plenty of distractions that can throw off your dog’s routine. That's why it's essential to stay consistent with your dog’s training as the holidays approach.
Here are three reasons why keeping up with your dog’s training before the holiday season can make a world of difference:
Good Manners During Gatherings Whether you’re hosting holiday parties or expecting family to visit, your dog’s behavior will be on full display. Now’s the perfect time to reinforce commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it,” so they remain well-behaved around guests. Consistency in these foundational commands helps reduce overexcitement, jumping, or begging at the dinner table.
Prevent Stress for Your Dog The holidays can be overwhelming for dogs, with unfamiliar faces, loud noises, and constant activity. Keeping your dog’s training on track helps reduce their stress by providing structure and predictability. Make sure they have a designated “safe space” where they can retreat, and practice their “place” command so they feel secure when things get busy.
Avoid Setbacks in Training Progress If your dog has made significant strides in obedience or behavior correction, the last thing you want is for them to regress. Consistently practicing their commands now will ensure they continue to make progress. You can even use the extra distractions of the holiday season as an opportunity to train in real-world scenarios, so they’re better prepared to handle different environments and situations.
Bonus Tip: Keep Training Sessions Short & Fun During this busy time of year, you don’t need to spend hours on training. Instead, focus on shorter, more frequent sessions to reinforce what your dog already knows. Practice a few commands throughout the day to make it fun and engaging followed with place duration sessions to help to work on that calm mindset. Consistency is more important than long sessions, especially when you're dealing with the distractions of the season.