The festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and family gatherings. But, if you’re a dog owner, especially one with a gundog breed, it can also bring unique challenges. Christmas time often means a flurry of visitors, decorations, and changes to the routine. For gundog breeds, who are typically active and alert breeds, this can cause a mix of excitement and confusion. At Whistle and Wag Dog Training, we understand how important it is to maintain your dog’s training throughout the Christmas period. Christmas dog training might seem like an unexpected topic, but it’s crucial to ensure that both your gundog and your guests enjoy a harmonious festive season. Let’s dive into some practical tips on keeping your dog well-trained, happy, and calm during this festive time.

1. Christmas Dog Training – Maintain Consistency

One of the most important things for any dog, especially gundogs, is routine. These breeds thrive on structure and predictability, which is why Christmas can throw them off balance. While the holidays may mean changes in your daily schedule, try to maintain your dog’s usual feeding times, exercise routines, and quiet moments. Consistency is key for keeping your dog grounded and content.

If you anticipate a lot of guests or changes at home, consider scheduling “training sessions” during quieter parts of the day. It can be a great way to reinforce basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” or “leave it,” which are crucial for maintaining good behaviour around food and visitors.

2. Introducing New People to Your Gundog

Christmas often means more visitors in your home, and for some dogs, meeting new people can be overwhelming. For gundog breeds, who tend to be friendly but reserved, it’s important to manage these introductions calmly. Training your dog to remain calm when guests arrive can help prevent unwanted behaviour like jumping, barking, or excessive excitement.

Here are some steps to manage guest introductions:

• Teach a “place” command: This command encourages your dog to go to a specific spot, such as a mat or bed, and stay there calmly while guests arrive. This helps prevent your dog from rushing to greet everyone at once.
• Reward calm behavior: Reinforce your dog’s good behavior with treats and praise when they remain calm around new people.
• Gradual exposure: If possible, introduce your dog to guests one at a time, rather than all at once, to reduce anxiety.

3. Christmas Dog training to prevent stolen baubles

Christmas decorations are a wonderful part of the season, but for many dogs, especially those with a strong hunting instinct like gundogs, they can be irresistible. From sparkling lights to dangling ornaments, dogs love to investigate, chew, or play with things that catch their eye. This can be especially challenging if you have a gundog breed that is always eager to explore.

To prevent your dog from damaging your Christmas decorations or ingesting something dangerous, follow these training tips:

• Teach a leave it command: Teach them commands like “leave it” and “drop it” to discourage unwanted behaviour and teach our dogs to not touch the novel items that appear at Christmas time.
• Set boundaries: Set clear boundaries around the tree and other decorations
• Safe toys: Provide your dog with their own toys and chews to keep them entertained while you enjoy the decorations.

4. Christmas Dog Training and Festive Food

The abundance of food during the holidays can be a lot of temptation for our dogs so it is important we stay consistent around our rules surrounding food.

To ensure your dog doesn’t become a food thief during Christmas, follow these steps:

• Set clear boundaries: Make it clear to your dog that food from the table is off-limits. Use the “leave it” command to teach your dog to stay away from food.
• Ensure guests don’t break your rules: Consistency is super important to our dogs training, so make sure your visitors do not encourage unwanted behaviours by feeding dogs from the table etc.
• Offer special dog treats: Your dog doesn’t have to miss out on the festive feasting, there is nothing wrong with adding the odd bit of dog safe left overs to their dinner. Be mindful that a drastic change in diet may cause an upset stomach and that a lot human food is high in salt and fats.

5. Managing Excitement During Christmas

Gundogs are known for their enthusiasm and energy, which can make Christmas exciting for them – perhaps a bit too much! Whether it’s the excitement of opening presents or the commotion of family activities, it’s easy for your dog to become overstimulated. This can lead to jumping, barking, or even stress.

To manage your dog’s excitement during the holidays:

• Provide a calm space: Ensure your dog has a quiet area to retreat to if they get overwhelmed. A crate or a quiet room with their bed can give them the space they need to relax.
• Engage in daily exercise: Make sure your gundog gets plenty of exercise before and during your holiday activities. A well-exercised dog is much more likely to stay calm during chaotic events.
• Practice self-control exercises: Teach your dog exercises like “wait” or “stay” to help them control their impulses. These are essential skills for maintaining calm behaviour around food, gifts, and visitors. This training can be done normally day to day and not just over the seasonal period. Building self control in our dogs is an essential life skill.

6. Keep Your Dog Safe During the Festivities

Christmas can bring some unique safety hazards for dogs, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them. Toxic foods (like chocolate and grapes), sharp objects (like broken ornaments), and electric lights can pose risks. Keep your dog away from potentially harmful items and teach them to avoid anything that could be dangerous.

Wrapping It Up: A Happy, Calm Christmas for Your Gundog

With a little extra attention and consistent Christmas dog training, you can ensure that your gundog enjoys the holiday season as much as you do. Remember, the key is maintaining a balance of routine, positive reinforcement, and boundaries, while still letting your dog enjoy the festive cheer.

At Whistle and Wag Dog Training, we know that every dog is unique, so if you’re facing specific challenges with your gundog this Christmas, don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized advice. Seasons Greetings to you and your furry friend – may your Christmas be filled with love, joy, and plenty of wagging tails!

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To view the next blog on vet care over Christmas time from Bluebell Pet Care please click here.