Dog and Christmas

peachyprice

aileth wrote: »

Hahaha thank you this post helps a lot. Like I say, it's only about two hours. Yes, pup will be absolutely fine for the two hours, but I suppose it's the concept running through my mind that everyone else and their dogs will be there, yet ours will be the only one 'banned' because he is too excitable, so when all the dogs are tucking into turkey leftovers, all playing together and socialising, he will be sat at home, and it makes me very sad.

But your dog won't know that. It's not as if he'll be sitting at home thinking to himself "It's christmas day, why have they left me alone when all the other dogs have been allowed to go?" To him it will just be another day when you've popped out for a few hours.

Why not ask if you can have a leftover turkey doggy bag for your pooch, I'm sure he'll enjoy that just as much.

aileth

lostinrates wrote: »

Outraged.

My pets have a Christmas routine and know the words 'rich pickings' (pet safe Christmas left overs) and enjoy :o:o stockings :rotfl:

Aileth, if they have dogstoo, why not arrange to meet for a Boxing Day dog walk instead?/as well. That way your dog gets some dog visiting with his dog 'cousins' or whatever the relationship between dogs might be presumed to be :rotfl: and its a great treat for the dogs to meet and socialise with old friends and have a run together.

Somewhere near me a whole village meet up for a Boxing Day dog walk, we ran into them one year and it was formidable, my very bold and social dogs looked slightly cowed by the ranks of dogs marching towards us. All the dogs were having an amazing time though and it seems like a fantastic village tradition!

That is a wonderful idea, hopefully it might burn him out a bit too. I've been looking at the vids on youtube and going to start right away. I think he is naturally a very energetic dog, so hopefully can channel that a bit more than we are at the moment. He thinks he is the size of a chihuahua when he's about the same size as a springer, so that's one thing we'll have to work on!

And Peachy, I know he won't know it's Christmas, but I think it's just me being a bit silly and all I can picture is him at home while everyone else is enjoying their selves. I know he will have no idea, but I do.

Thank you everyone for the responses so far.

lostinrates

Aileth, I'm glad I've helped. .

As far as I am concerned NOTHING has the right to upset my animals in their home. My sil has a fianc! who is allergic to pets. She suggested they could spend Christmas with us this year....if the dogs and cats went to kennels and the house were totally cleaned before he arrived. I laughed and suggested we meet up for a meal somewhere instead, and I'll leave the dogs at home. Last year she came to stay alone for a few days and loved it.

I don't expect people to love our guys, or to impose them on others, but I do expect them to understand that they ARE our guys, that they impact on the plans we make and that this is their home. There is no point being cross with sil, her boundaries for her totally sensible and I understand them and think its great they are clear as we can work something out. Similarly ours are clear.....this is the animals' home, and its a great shame her fianc! won't be able to visit it but, that's how it is. We'll meet elsewhere. .

tinkerbell28

Children and dogs are non comparable.

We have a Lab who is 2 and very hyper too. We have children. The pecking order is children >>>> dog.

We don't take him to family gatherings, as one it's too long for an energetic dog in the car, and two when he gets there, all that energy and a lively dog. Is hard work, especially in someone else's house. It's stressful tbh.

I don't want o put anyone through it, including the dog. The dog will be fine.

little_miss_muppet_face

Just to let you know i feel the same as you, i have a big bouncy labradoodle who is very excitable, in a house full she gets over excited and is to big for most houses full of people, so this year, while my husband is offshore for xmas and new year, i have turned down invites to go for xmas dinner etc as i dont like to think of the dog in on her own, but wouldnt dream of taking her..
so i do feel for you...

KMR1984

We have four dogs and generally don't take them along to family celebrations, unless outdoor. Not because of their behaviour, but four big dogs can take up a lot of space in an already crowded house!

If you were to take him along, could you put him on a lead? Does he know "settle" (lie down and relax)? I have done this in the past when they're puppies, as it teaches them to be calm in the presence of others. That way they're still a part of things, but aren't in everyone's else's face or following them about.

fluffnutter

aileth wrote: »

Christmas is a family time, the pup is part of our family now, you don't not invite certain children over for Christmas because they're too hyper.

Dogs are not children. Train your dog and he'll be more welcome at family gatherings.

aileth

KMR1984 wrote: »

We have four dogs and generally don't take them along to family celebrations, unless outdoor. Not because of their behaviour, but four big dogs can take up a lot of space in an already crowded house!

If you were to take him along, could you put him on a lead? Does he know "settle" (lie down and relax)? I have done this in the past when they're puppies, as it teaches them to be calm in the presence of others. That way they're still a part of things, but aren't in everyone's else's face or following them about.

Yes, he knows how to settle. He is absolutely fine until someone comes over to him to fuss him then it's like they've pressed the 'reset' button and he gets all excitable, starts bringing toys to everyone or follows them into the kitchen, or to the toilet.

When we've been before he lies down by my feet, but someone always goes "Oh he looks so sad" and resets him, then we need to calm him down and get him back again, which doesn't last two seconds as someone else disturbs him.

Errata

A boisterous adult dog, which he is - not a puppy, a house he hardly visits with over excited humans and other animals is rarely a good mix, can be stressful for the visiting dog and can easily be a recipe for trouble.
The dog won't know or care if it's Christmas Day or the third Tuesday in February. Leave him at home so he and everyone else can have a relaxed day.

KMR1984

aileth wrote: »

Yes, he knows how to settle. He is absolutely fine until someone comes over to him to fuss him then it's like they've pressed the 'reset' button and he gets all excitable, starts bringing toys to everyone or follows them into the kitchen, or to the toilet.

When we've been before he lies down by my feet, but someone always goes "Oh he looks so sad" and resets him, then we need to calm him down and get him back again, which doesn't last two seconds as someone else disturbs him.

Ah then take a few leads and pop them on the ones who keep disturbing him! :rotfl:

That is the biggest problem sometimes, getting people to ignore said dog. I do think a lead may help though as he will be restrained in how excited he can get and will get quite bored when he realises he can't follow etc. That or a kong as someone mentioned earlier, and you may just find that they lose interest in him because he is quite happily busy tucking in. The noises may be interesting though!