The festive season is a wonderful time: visiting family, sharing meals, catching up with friends, and for many of us, including our dogs in the celebrations. But it can also be a challenging period for our four‑legged companions, especially puppies, anxious dogs or dogs who haven’t yet had experience of busy homes, visitors, odd routines and distractions. Whether you’re in Harlow, Hertford, Bishop’s Stortford, Epping or the surrounding areas, it’s possible to make the season calm and enjoyable for your dog - with the right preparation and mindset.

In this post we’ll cover:

How to set your dog up for success when visiting family or hosting guests
The importance of having a safe space (crate or “place” command) for nervous dogs
How and when the use of a muzzle can help with a safer experience (and how to introduce it properly)
The food risks around Christmas, why sticking to your dog’s normal diet matters, and safe festive food alternatives
Final tips for a stress‑free holiday with your dog

Setting Your Dog Up for Success During Family Visits

Family visits, festive meals and changes in routine can be exciting - but for many dogs they bring uncertainty. To help your dog thrive:

Maintain some structure: Your dog may be in a new location, with new people, smells and sounds. Keep basic routines (walks, feeding, quiet time) as consistent as possible.
Use the “place” command: If you’ve trained your dog to go to a mat or bed on cue (“place”), this can be a great tool during mealtimes, when visitors are arriving or noise levels increase. It gives your dog a defined spot to relax and feel safe.
Make the crate a comfortable option: For anxious or nervous dogs, a crate (if they are already accustomed to it) can be a haven. Place it in a quieter part of the house, with familiar bedding and perhaps a chew or toy. Let the dog choose to use it - never force them.
Plan your guest interactions: Let your dog greet guests calmly; ask visitors to ignore the dog initially until the dog is relaxed. Reward calm behaviour with high‑value treats. If you anticipate the dog may become overwhelmed, plan a quiet retreat before things get busy.
Walk before the visit: A good walk just before guests arrive helps expend energy and promotes calm. Focus on good lead control, engagement and calm cue responses.
Stay aware of your dog’s body language: Look for signs of stress - tucked tail, lip licking, avoidance, yawning. If you notice these, redirect the dog to their safe space or crate.

Safe Spaces - Crates, Place Commands and Nervous Dogs

Training your dog to accept a “place” command and a crate is invaluable, especially around festive gatherings. Here’s how to maximise their use:

“Place” command training: Teach your dog that “place” means go to a defined spot (mat/bed) and stay there until released. Initially train at home in calm conditions; then generalise to busier settings. Use treats and praise for compliance. You can read how to train a “place” command on our blog right here!
Crate training: The crate should be a positive space - not a punishment. Load it with treats, a cosy bed and toys. Repeatedly invite your dog in, reward, and build duration gradually. Around guests, the dog can retreat to the crate when they choose. Read all about crate training on our previous post here.
During guest visits: If the dog goes to “place” or crate, reward them. You might offer a frozen chew or a feeding puzzle to occupy them safely while you socialise.
Back‑up plan: In a healthier scenario, if the dog becomes overstimulated, you can quietly lead them to their safe zone, close the door or partition off an area, and let them self‑settle. Avoid escalating the situation by forcing interaction.

By giving your dog choice and a secure base, you reduce the risk of stress, reactive responses or shutting down. This helps both owner and dog enjoy the festive moments with less worry.

Using a Muzzle

A properly conditioned muzzle can be a valuable tool for safety during the festive season - especially for dogs who are reactive, nervous around guests, or likely to scavenge. But it must be introduced positively and not used as a “last minute fix.”

How (and when) to use it:

You should train the muzzle in advance - you can read how to start this in our post all about muzzle training and conditioning.
Use baskets or open muzzles so your dog can pant, drink and take treats.
Do not rely on it when the dog is already overwhelmed - it must be something the dog is comfortable wearing in calm situations first.
Use it as part of a structured plan: before guests arrive, fit the muzzle for a short period at home, feed special treats, then gradually increase wear. On the day: if the dog is likely to experience lots of people and activity, fit the muzzle and pair it with positive reinforcement and calm downtime.

By doing the groundwork ahead of time you’re giving your dog the best chance of a safe, calm experience when the household is full and the festive buzz is high.

Food, Treats and Festive Eating Safely

During the holidays, many well‑meaning owners share festive scraps - but many of these can cause illness, stomach upsets or worse.

Foods to avoid

Chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding, raisins and currants. The Kennel Club+2abbeyautoline.co.uk+2
Onions, garlic, stuffing, fatty meats, bones, rich gravies. PetMD
Alcohol, macadamia nuts, xylitol (in sugar‑free sweets). Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies+1
Novel human foods: Even if technically safe, new large treats can upset your dog’s tummy.

Why stick to normal food & safe treats?

Changing diet suddenly or letting your dog have many unusual foods increases the risk of digestive imbalance, weight gain, or pancreatitis. Plus, giving table scraps can reduce the value of treats used during training sessions (where you need something high value and predictable).

Safe festive alternatives

Lean turkey meat (no skin, no bones, plain cooked) is generally safe if your dog is healthy.
Plain vegetables: carrots, green beans, peas (without butter/salt) can be safe.
Dog‑specific festive treats: Many brands release holiday themed raw or natural treats - these can help your dog feel included in the festivities without the risks.
When giving a “special treat,” reduce meal size accordingly to balance calories.

By making thoughtful choices you keep your dog included and safe, and you’re supporting your training quietly (the dog stays healthy, engaged and calm) rather than inadvertently creating new behavioural or health issues.

Bringing It All Together - A Festive Checklist

Before the next festive gathering or family visit, use this quick checklist:

Walk your dog earlier, giving extra exercise before guests arrive.
Prepare a “safe space” (crate or “place”) with familiar bedding and perhaps a long‑lasting chew.
Introduce (well in advance) the muzzle if one is part of your plan, and practice sessions at home.
Train the “place” command or refresh it so the dog knows where they should settle.
Inform guests or family of your dog’s “house rules” (e.g., no feeding scraps, let the dog come to them for greetings).
Clear the food table, low trays, wrapping papers, etc. Keep toxic foods and decorations out of reach.
Choose healthy festive treats in small amounts, and avoid rich human food scraps.
Maintain calm and routines as much as possible: feeding, walks, training cues - even five minutes matter.

FAQ

Q1: My dog is especially anxious around new people - should I skip bringing them to the family gathering?
Not necessarily. If your dog has a safe space to retreat to, a crate or place they recognise, and you can manage guest interactions (quiet greeting, limited pressure), they can do well. Consider shorter visit, stay close to your dog’s cue‑responses, and use reinforcement for calm behaviour.

Q2: When is it appropriate to use a muzzle for a visit?
A muzzle is appropriate when your dog is trained to wear one, you expect heightened stimuli (lots of guests, noise, distractions), and you want to structure the experience safely (not because you’re punishing the dog). But if your dog is already highly stressed, a muzzle alone won’t fix it - you’ll need retreat options, calm support and possibly a behaviour plan.

Q3: Can I give my dog some of the turkey and cranberry sauce at Christmas dinner?
Stick to plain turkey without skin, bones or rich sauces. Avoid cranberry sauce (often contains xylitol or high sugar) and other rich sides. Introduce any new foods slowly and in small amounts. Monitor for tummy upset.

Q4: How long should I expect my dog to be in the safe space or crate?
It depends on your dog’s comfort and event duration. Start with shorter periods (e.g., while guests arrive) and let the dog decide when they’ve had enough. Keep the environment calm and avoid forcing the dog to stay there if they’re distressed.

The festive season does not have to mean stress for your dog (or for you). With solid preparation - training your “place” cue, crate familiarity, potential muzzle training, managing food risks, maintaining routines - you’re giving your dog the best possible chance of remaining calm, supported and part of your family life!

At ASCENDK9, our aim is to help you build a confident, reliable relationship with your dog - so you can enjoy times together, whether it’s in Harlow, Hertford, Bishop’s Stortford or Epping. If you’d like one‑to‑one support around visiting family with your dog, safe socialisation, crate training or muzzle conditioning, get in touch.

Wishing you and your dog a peaceful, happy and training‑positive festive season!

Keeping Your Dog Calm During the Festive Season