Christmas Visitors and Your Dog: How to Host a Calm Festive Week

Christmas at home is wonderful, and it is also a lot for a dog. The doorbell keeps going. There are coats on the floor, new smells, excited children, presents under the tree and food on every surface. Your dog's quiet home has suddenly become the busiest place in town.

This year Christmas Day falls on a Friday and Boxing Day on a Saturday, so many of us have a long weekend of family and friends coming and going.

Most dogs cope well with a little help. This guide covers the simple steps that keep your dog calm and your visitors happy, so the festive week is a pleasure for everyone, including the dog.

What Makes the Festive Week Hard for Dogs

The front door comes first. Every knock brings a rush of new people, and an open door with an excited dog behind it is a worry.

Then the attention. Guests love to fuss over a dog, but a dog who likes a quiet life can find it overwhelming, especially when little hands are at their eye level.

Then the routine slips. Lie ins, late dinners and long lunches mean walks get shorter or forgotten, just when your dog needs them most.

And when you do get out on Boxing Day, everyone else has the same idea. Busy paths, lots of dogs, and the surprise dog bounding over while their owner calls "he's friendly" from across the grass.

You know the feeling. Hovering between the kitchen and the hall, keeping one eye on the dog all day, apologising for the barking. Never quite sitting down.

A Calm Christmas Plan for Your Dog

• Set up a quiet den. A crate or bed in a calm room, with water and a favourite toy. Let everyone know it is the dog's space and that they are left in peace there.
• Manage the front door. Use a baby gate, a lead or a separate room when guests arrive, so the door can open without a dash.
• Brief your guests. Ask them to let the dog come to them, not to feed from the table, and to keep doors and gates shut. Children may need a friendly reminder to give the dog space.
• Keep the routine steady. Feed and walk at familiar times as best you can. A predictable day helps a dog cope with an unpredictable house.
• Tire them out before the doorbell rings. A proper run on Christmas Eve, or on the morning of a big gathering, means a dog who is ready to snooze rather than greet.
• Keep food and edible presents out of reach. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, mince pies and Christmas pudding are harmful to dogs. Keep edible gifts off the floor until they are opened.
• Tidy as you go. Ribbon, wrapping paper and small decorations can be swallowed. A bin bag on present opening morning saves a lot of worry.
• Give them something to do. A long lasting chew or a stuffed food toy in their den keeps them happy while dinner is served.
• Watch for signs they have had enough. Yawning, lip licking, turning away or taking themselves off are all signs they need a break.

If your dog finds visitors very stressful, or you are worried about how they will cope, check with your vet first and plan ahead before the holidays.

What This Means for You and Your Dog This Christmas

If nothing changes, the festive week can feel like a long round of barking, door dashing and keeping watch. Your dog is tired but never settled, and you spend the holidays on edge.

With a plan it feels very different. A quiet den, a calm front door, guests who know the rules and a proper run before the busy days. Your dog greets the family, enjoys a fuss, then takes themselves off for a snooze. You get to sit down, pull a cracker and enjoy it.

Wet winter walks taking their toll? Our November dog care guide covers paw care, grit and drying off.