TL;DR — If your dog seems clingy, restless, barky, or unable to settle during the holidays, nothing is “wrong” with them. Holiday stress in dogs is incredibly common. The goal isn’t to make your dog love the holidays. It’s to help them feel safe enough to get through them. Small changes like quiet spaces, routine, calm enrichment, and nervous system support can make a big difference.
If you’re feeling stressed lately, even when nothing specific is “wrong,” you’re not alone.
Everything feels louder, heavier, and rushed this time of year.
And here’s something I always notice with my dogs…
When I feel like that, they feel it too.
Dogs are incredibly good at reading our energy. So if your dog is acting a little off right now, it doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem. More often, it just means life feels overwhelming.
What Holiday Stress Looks Like in Dogs
We tend to think stress has to look dramatic, but for dogs, it’s often subtle.
You might notice:
- Your dog can’t settle as easily
- They’re following you everywhere when they usually don’t
- They seem fine one minute, then suddenly restless or edgy
- More barking, pacing, hiding, or clingy behavior
Honestly, that’s not much different from us. Shorter patience. Feeling tired without doing much and getting overwhelmed more easily.
Your Dog Doesn’t Need to Love the Holidays
This part really matters.
The goal is not to make your dog love the holidays. Some dogs never will, and that’s okay. A lot of people don’t love the holidays either.
The real goal is simply this:
Help your dog feel safe enough to get through it.
When you let go of the idea that your dog needs to be social, happy, or included in everything, things get a lot easier for both of you.
How We Handle Guests in Our Home
All of our dogs love the extra attention guests bring. They enjoy saying hello, soaking up a little love, and being part of things for a short time.
But I’ve learned the hard way that enjoying something doesn’t mean they can handle unlimited exposure to it.
So we watch their body language closely. They get a bit of time with guests, then they go to a quiet space of their own to relax. I usually give them a frozen Kong or a good bone to chew on so they can fully unwind.
In recent years, we’ve hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house, which has actually been really nice for the dogs. When we used to travel, we brought them with us back when we only had two. That felt manageable. I don’t think bringing three or four dogs to someone else’s home would be fair to the host or the dogs.
When we did travel, we always brought:
- A crate for quiet breaks
- A long line so they could safely burn off energy outside
- Plenty of treats for reinforcing calm behavior
None of that was about “controlling” them. It was about setting them up to succeed.
Dogs Do Not Need to Be Part of the Party
This is where many well-meaning dog owners struggle.
Dogs do not need to:
- Greet every guest
- Be social
- Be included in everything
It is entirely okay, and often much kinder, to give your dog a quiet room away from the chaos.
A calm dog resting in another room is far happier than a stressed dog trying to cope in the middle of it all.
If your dog does enjoy being around people, that’s great. Just keep watching their body language for signs they’ve had enough.
If you want help with that, I recommend checking out my dog body language signs of stress video.
Create a Calmer Environment
When dogs are stressed, their environment matters a lot.
Simple things can help more than you think:
- Close a door
- Turn on white noise or calm music
- Offer a cozy bed or crate
- Dim the lights
You’re basically telling your dog, “I see you. You don’t have to deal with all of this.” Dogs understand that message.
Keep Routines Normal
When everything else feels unpredictable, routine becomes a safety net.
Even on busy days, try to keep:
- Feeding times
- Potty breaks
- Walks
Dogs are anchored to these familiar rhythms, and it helps their nervous system stay regulated.
Calm Enrichment Ideas
Don’t wait until guests arrive and your dog is already overwhelmed.
Calm enrichment helps release stress before it piles up:
- Sniffing games
- Lick mats for meals
- Long-lasting chews or raw bones
These are great to do:
- The day before
- The morning of
- Earlier in the afternoon
Whatever fits your schedule best. Watch this video for 8 Simple DIY Dog Games for Confidence.
Natural Support Can Help
Some dogs benefit from natural calming support during stressful seasons.
This isn’t about knocking your dog out. It’s about supporting their nervous system.
Quality matters. Less is more. And you know your dog best.
There are a lot of products marketed for stress and anxiety. Two I often mention are:
- HerbSmith’s July Third for short-term stressful events
- HerbSmith’s Calm Shen for more ongoing support
I’ll leave links below if you want to explore those options.
Free Resource: Natural Remedies for Your Dog
If you like having everything written out in one place, I have a free Natural Remedies Guide linked below.
There’s an entire section focused on behavior and emotional health, with simple, natural ways to support stressed dogs, especially during busy seasons like this.
It’s one of those resources that’s really nice to have on hand.
👉 Download the Natural Remedies Guide here
Watch the Video
In this video, I walk through what holiday stress looks like in dogs and how to support them in a calm, realistic way.
A Few Important Reminders
- Don’t force interactions
- Don’t punish fear
- Don’t expect your dog to “just get over it.”
Stress behaviors are communication.
If this season feels hard for your dog, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. The holidays pass. Life settles down. Routines return.
Most dogs recover really well when we give them a little extra love and support.
Before you go, I’d love to know: What’s the most challenging part of the holidays for you and your dog? The noise? Guests? Change in routine? You’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.
