Why Dogs Get Stressed During the Holidays and How You Can Help

The holidays are busy, loud, and unpredictable. For many dogs, this is not fun. It is stressful.

Dogs thrive on routine, structure, and clear expectations. Holiday chaos disrupts all three. Even well-trained, friendly dogs can struggle when their environment changes too fast.

Understanding why dogs experience holiday stress helps you prevent behavior issues before they start.

Why Dogs Get Stressed During the Holidays

Dogs feel safest when life is predictable. During the holidays, everything changes at once.

Common disruptions include:

• Different daily schedules

• Late nights and missed rest

• Changes to feeding and walking times

• More people in the home

• Increased noise and activity

• New smells, decorations, and objects

• Less training and structure

From your dog’s perspective, the rules suddenly disappear. That creates anxiety. This is one of the most common reasons we see increased stress behaviors in dogs during December.

Many holiday traditions unintentionally overwhelm dogs. Even confident dogs have limits. Stress builds when they cannot escape or rest. Stress does not always look like aggression or “bad behavior.”

Common signs of stress in dogs include:

• Pacing or inability to settle

• Excessive panting or yawning

• Lip licking or drooling

• Whining or barking

• Sudden hyperactivity

• Jumping or mouthing

• Shaking or a tucked tail

• Stiff body language

These behaviors are communication. Your dog is saying they are overwhelmed. Punishment will not fix stress. Structure will.

How to Help Your Dog Feel Safe During the Holidays

Practical ways to reduce holiday stress:

• Keep walks, meals, and rest times consistent

• Exercise your dog before guests arrive

• Provide a quiet, safe space they can retreat to

• Use crates, gates, leashes, or tethers during gatherings

• Offer calm enrichment like chews, lick mats, or stuffed Kongs

• Avoid forcing greetings or interactions

• Supervise children around dogs at all times

• Advocate for your dog and say no when needed.

This is the season where management matters. Leashes inside the home, planned rest breaks, and clear boundaries protect your dog and your guests.

If you need help building calm behavior, confidence, or holiday management plans, Dogzies Pet Services offers professional dog training in Kelowna and the Okanagan.

A calm dog is not accidental. It is trained, managed, and advocated for.