Christmas time with your dogs

I love Christmas time; I have time off work, see family and friends, do nice dog walks and generally slow down.  For my dogs however, I think they view it very differently.  Everything has changed!  Yes, they still get their usual morning run through the woods, but then the rest of the day is very different.  People are visiting and staying over. Lots of busyness in the house so less opportunity to sleep and rest.  Different dog walks where there are loads more people and unknown dogs.  Food is everywhere and all smells so good!  Board games which they cannot join in with etc etc.  SO MUCH CHANGE.  Can you blame our dogs for actually finding this time of year a challenge? 
 
In our house it’s usually very quiet.  It’s just me and Jon so the ‘usual’ day is not very busy and exciting.  Over the last 3 days we have had family visiting so simply having extra bodies in the house is exciting.  My dogs love the visitors, but that does mean they don’t settle as well as normal.  There is always something to get involved with.  Add that to Hallie having a flare up with pain (ongoing back issues) she is less tolerant so I am doing my best to not put her into situations that she will react to for her sake as well as the other dogs as they can take some of that fallout of her grumpiness. 

So what can you do to help support your dogs during this busy time of year?  Well yesterday, we did nothing.  Everyone went home and we hired a dog field so they could all have some dog and people free exercise and then sleep was the order of the day.  We did some chew toys, but basically nothing else happened.  Jon and I had a TV day ourselves!  Today is back to business as we are going to Devon to visit my brother and family and there will be 7 dogs in total!!!  Yes my family all love dogs 😊 Again another day with lots of fun and enjoyment but I will still be very aware of my dog’s arousal levels and I will manage situations before things get out of hand.  In our group of 7 there are 2 youngsters, but the rest won’t really want lots of play; it’s so important to think what each dogs needs are and try to met them.  This sometimes means spending time apart (my dogs will be in the car for some of today) or using a stairgate to separate them to allow downtime. 
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To some dogs, this busyness is just normal.  They are used to lots of people, dogs, children, games etc, however if this isn’t the ‘norm’ please allow time for your dogs to decompress.  Be proactive in noticing any changes in behaviour that might show your dog isn’t actually coping and needs some support to help them.  If your dog is behaving differently, your dog isn’t acting up – they are communicating.  I’m not being a party pooper, this isn’t about not joining in and having fun, but please make sure you are being your dogs advocate and plan for some proper downtime for your dog (and you!).   
I hope you are all enjoying yourselves whatever you are doing. 
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Jo x