We all know that the holidays, while joyful, can be challenging and stressful at times! Our pups might be feeling a little extra anxious with all the changes in routine, travel, and coming and going at this time of year.
We recently ran a giveaway on our Instagram page where we asked our community to share their favorite holiday traditions with their pups, and their responses were amazing! We thought we'd compile some of them here to help you come up with your own ideas for fun, enriching, and low-stress holiday traditions for you and your furry loved ones.
Check out these ideas, and think about how you can adapt your own holiday traditions to include your dog while also ensuring that your pup feels safe and comfy. Remember that every dog is an individual - you know your dog(s) and what they will enjoy best!
Have a lovely holiday season - may it be full of joy, memories, and new and old traditions!
1. Winter Walkies and Outdoor Adventures
The holidays can be a great time for outdoor adventures! Whether your dog likes slow sniffy walks or crashing and zooming through the snow, take some time to get outdoors with your pup. The crisp winter air and festive decorations make walks and hikes extra magical during the holidays. Bundle up and take your dog on a stroll through your neighborhood to admire the lights and decorations. If you’re feeling adventurous, grab your long line and head to a local trail for a winter hike. Lots of folks mentioned that Christmas day walks and hikes can be extra quiet!
Consider trying a new location for some new sights and smells, or rent a sniff spot and invite a friend or two if that's something your dog would enjoy! Load up the thermos with hot cocoa and enjoy. It may also help relieve your own stress during this often hectic time of year. Check out our blog post with 20 out of the box ideas for enrichment outings, and our tips for hiking with your dog in the snow.
@inwithfin is definitely a powder day dog!!
Here's what our community said!
"🎄Going on long walkies on xmas eve and xmas day with my long leash from @hightailhikes of course!" @aloha_kaphua
"My fave holiday tradition is our traditional new years day hike to honor the day Kyla and I met 🖤" @adventures_of_ky_and_murdy
"Playing in the snow together ☃️" @boba.the.sustainable.mutt
"Christmas morning hikes are the best as there are so few folks out on the trail. This year we will be celebrating Willow’s first birthday. She was born on Christmas Day last year. 🎄🎄🎄" @ozzy_and_willows_ruff_life
"My pup and I go to Prospect Park on Christmas morning and do a long hiking trail." @accidentprone_69
"Can't wait for our new long line so we can go cross country skiing with our boys!" @thedempseydog
2. Unwrapping Treats and Toys
Many dogs love to sniff, rip, tear, and dissect - perfect skills for unwrapping gifts! Wrap their gifts and let them rip them open, or fill their stockings and let them snuffle out the goodies. Once all the presents are opened, you'll have tons of supplies for snuffle-tastic enrichment for days to come! Wrap up some of their favorite treats in multiple layers of boxes and paper. Don’t worry about perfect wrapping—your dog won’t judge! Watching their joy as they tear through the paper to find the treasure inside is priceless. Just be sure to supervise them and remove any small pieces of wrapping paper or tape to keep things safe.
Check out our free Sniffrichment eBook for lots more ideas for DIY sniffrichment at home using everyday recyclables, tissue, and wrapping paper!
Here's what our community had to say about their pups opening presents!
"All of Radar’s gifts get wrapped individually and he has his own stocking 😊 Watching him rip open the wrapping paper is one of my favorite things about Christmas 😊" @vermont_trailpups2
"I love watching Rosie open all of her individually wrapped gifts and we enjoy driving around to look at all of the Christmas lights! Yes, dogs enjoy it too! 🎁🎄🎅🐾🐾" @carolyn.foxy_roxy_girl
"I love to put something in Zoey's stocking every year, she knows the stocking sometimes has good things in it, so periodically she will stare at it until we let her check it 🎄" @zoey_mayhem
"A big box of poorly wrapped dog toys for the dogs to unwrap themselves Christmas morning 🎁" @bookerthebrindle
"I like letting Apollo open his presents and then seeing what he decides to engage with first." @adventures_of_kira_loving_life
"Our pup searches the house for wrapped presents from Santa on Christmas morning. He doesn’t care what is in the package but just wants the treat first. Makes for a precious Christmas morning!" @puppypawtrainingll
"Making busy boxes out of their presents! Keeps them so busy, and I plan on doing it with my girl this year!" @tsukisallears
"My dog gets a stocking with her favorite things and loves shredding all the leftover tissue paper and gift wrap each year! 🎁🎄" @trainyourdogtx
"Tater gets her very own stocking and she gets to rip open the presents that are wrapped under the tree for her!" - @tater_the_t0t
@arrytheshepsky shows us what the aftermath of a high quality enrichment session looks like!
3. Photoshoots and Matching PJs
Lots of folks mentioned matching pajamas or holiday outfits to help get into the holiday spirit with your pup! Of course, not all dogs like wearing clothes so use your judgement here. But if they are comfortable with it, it's a great way for everyone to stay warm and cozy and spread holiday cheer!
Along the same lines, consider taking some holiday photos or even doing a low-stress photo shoot to commemorate the holidays with your pup. We guarantee that you'll be happy to have the memories to look back on.
Here's what our community said!
"Wearing matching pajamas and bandanas!" @courtjurzynski
"I love getting holiday photos of my pups!" @nanljvt
"Trying and failing to take a pic together 🐶 in front of the🎄"@hi_its_ro_chan
"We take family Xmas photos with matching pjs ❤️❤️❤️" @trufflethedood
"My dogs and my parents’ dogs all get matching pj shirts for xmas!" @rachj_16
4. Getting Cozy at Home
Let's face it, there's not much better than cozying up at home with your best friend. It's so simple, but just spending time together relaxing might be just what your pup wants and needs. The holidays often come with time off work, giving you more opportunity to spend quality time with your dog. Whether you're playing their favorite games, cuddling together, or simply being present, your dog will appreciate the extra attention. Grab some blankets, make some hot cider and dog-friendly treats, and cuddle up on the couch with your pup for a holiday movie marathon. If your dog prefers soothing sounds, play some holiday music and relax together.
Even if you're not there to snuggle with them, it's important for your pup to stay warm and cozy during the winter months. Make sure you have cozy and supportive sleeping surfaces throughout your living space, and consider blankets for burrowing, a hot pad, or a pet-safe electric blanket, especially if your pup is short haired or has arthritis.
"Watching Xmas movies while the pup sleeps and cuddles" @aloha_kaphua
"Cozying up on the couch with our heating pad (frank’s fave) and watching a bazillion christmas movies 🎄♥️ today’s watch: something from tiffany’s ♥️" @frankmakesfriends
"Cuddling under the blanket and listening to Christmas classical music" @aloha_kaphua
5. Special Snacks and Outings
We all know that special snacks are the way to a dog's heart, so why not make them something special or take them on an outing for a special treat? Here are a few ideas!
"Baldur's birthday is supposedly Christmas, so we always do something extra special for him. Last year we made dog-friendly pizza for him and his friend staying with us." @thebrothersgoob
"Tater gets her own stocking, and we get matching Christmas pajamas. Christmas morning we wear them to get Starbucks, and Tater gets a pup cup!" @tater_the_t0t
"We love prepping enrichment items to keep the pups calm and happy during busy holiday get together!" @annahalversonmichael
"I love to cook her a delicious steak as a holiday treat!" @leahmichelle318 ❤️
The holidays are a perfect time to slow down and cherish the joy our dogs bring into our lives. By including them in your holiday traditions, you’ll create lasting memories and deepen your bond. So, grab those matching PJs, plan a festive outing, enjoy all the wonderful moments of the season with your dog, and create some memories that will last forever!