How to Plan A Dog-Friendly Christmas Break or Getaway.

Preparing For Your Trip 

At Christmas, your dog may be used to going on trips; however, whether your pup has travelled many times before or not, it’s always important to prepare for every eventuality. When preparing for a Christmas break with a dog, try to keep their routine as normal as possible. This includes packing bedding they’re familiar with, their favourite toys, and their normal food and treats. This will help them feel at ease in their temporary environment.

Before you go on your trip, double check if there are any vaccinations your dog may need to stay safe during your travels, or whether you need to look into parasite protection. Additionally, to be sure your pup is healthy enough for the journey, a visit to the vet beforehand may be a good idea. If your dog tends to get anxious while travelling, consider packing an ThunderShirt by ADAPTIL vest, which is easy to put on and gently helps your dog to feel more relaxed. It can also double as an early Christmas present for your pup!

Advice For Travelling With Your Dog 

When travelling at Christmas with a dog, make sure your route allows for stops so your dog can take a break to go to the toilet and get some exercise. You should also factor in the weather as you may encounter some traffic, and it’s important to be prepared in the wintery conditions by packing some extra blankets for warmth (and don’t forget plenty of water!). As well as being warm, it’s important to ensure that your pup is safe when travelling. Using a crate, barrier, or harness will protect both you and your dog during the journey.

Dog-Friendly Activities And Entertainment 

The shorter days and cold weather around Christmas can make it harder for your dog to get their normal amount of exercise. During your time away, think about other ways your dog can be entertained and use up their energy. This can be in the form of games, training, and activity feeders. At Christmas, your pooch isn’t likely to join you at the dinner table, so a new toy or sensory puzzle is a great option to keep them entertained and help them to feel part of the holiday fun!

On slightly warmer days, other activities can include dog parks and hiking trails. So, while doing your research for your Christmas getaway, find some dog walking routes close to your accommodation. Having parks and trails near to where you’re staying is a perfect way to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise while away. Although Christmas brings a lot of hustle and bustle, it’s important on a Christmas break with your dog to keep their routine as normal as possible.

Rewarding your dog for remaining calm and settled can also help, but just a little word of caution: if your dog isn’t getting as much exercise as usual while you’re away, more delicious treats may not be the best solution! That doesn’t mean to say we shouldn’t be rewarding our pooches lavishly during this potentially unsettling time, but it might be better to use something other than treats. Playtime is one idea, though it’s always good to know what else your dog enjoys as a reward before setting off on your trip.

Providing A Little Extra Comfort

For an extra sense of tranquillity, you can also use our ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser or ADAPTIL Calm Collar. They are both excellent solutions to help create an environment of calm and comfort during your Christmas getaway with your dog. 

With our diffuser, simply plug it into an electric socket in the room your dog will be spending most of their time. It will then begin releasing natural appeasing messages that help dogs adapt to stressful situations in the home. Our Calm Collar works in much the same way except your dog will have the appeasing message with them wherever they go. This provides up to 4 weeks of constant support and is a brilliant solution if your dog is nervous in new outdoor environments.

Holidaying With Other Guests

If you’re staying with other people who may not be too familiar with your pooch, it’s also worth sharing some advice with them to avoid your dog becoming too unsettled or overstimulated. A lot of this will be different for each dog, but you may want to mention things like where they like to be stroked, when’s best to interact with them (such as when they come to you, not when they’re in the their bed), and other signs that suggest they need some space.

Managing Holiday Stress For Your Dog

Different environments, smells, and noises can all be stressful for your dog, but helping your pooch to feel more relaxed can help them cope better with holiday anxiety. Make sure your dog has a safe space, like a den, for them to go to if it is noisy or crowded elsewhere in the holiday home. Fill the area with their favourite toys, bedding, and necessities like water to make it a comfortable environment for your pup.

Ensuring A Safe And Enjoyable Holiday Getaway

It’s important to be aware of potential hazards while celebrating. Choosing a dog-friendly Christmas tree will allow you to safely spread the holiday spirit. Keep an eye out for any decorations that could be hazardous to your dog, such as electric lights, tinsel, and edible decorations. Consider placing more fragile ornaments away from the reach of your dog and try to ensure your dog is supervised when in the same room as your Christmas tree.

As well as looking out for dogs and Christmas trees, be aware of presents under the tree. Do your best to keep your beautifully wrapped and edible gifts away from your pup as they may be tempted to open these for themselves! If your dog swallows any items such as bows, ribbons, or string, this could cause problems and may require an emergency visit to the vet. Being cautious and looking out for your dog ensures that everyone in the family has a very merry Christmas.

And last of all – food! Dogs don’t always have the most discerning palates, and if left to their own devices, there’s a risk they might eat something harmful. One of the biggest risks can be turkey skin and bones, as well as other traditional foods like mince pies, blue cheese, and even stuffing. All of these will need a visit to the vet too.

If you’d like to know more about how to enjoy Christmas with your dog check out the rest of our blogs online! You can also stay up to date with all the latest tips and advice by signing up to our newsletter.