For most people the holidays are a time to rest (and by rest, I mean feverishly clean, pack, or prepare for family). There's a lot of excitement and stress around the holidays, which makes it all the more important that you don't neglect your dogs on these exciting days.

If you're like me, your dogs are going to be around a lot of family or friends which is exciting for dogs. Or if you are training fearful dogs it can be a very stressful experience for your nervous friend which means you need to be extra calm and make sure you provide your dog with extra care.

While veterinarians and behaviorists are keen on subscribing medications for dogs these days, I still think the first step to combat stress should be thorough exercise - especially before big events like family storming the house. For humans or dogs, the act of exercise releases endorphins and takes the edge off in a natural, safe way.

Even if your dog is well trained and friendly, all the excitement might turn them into jumpers and make them appear more hyperactive then they actually are. People will like your dogs and respect you more if they encounter your dogs in a calm state rather than in an excited state.

Aside from helping your dogs get ready for all the action and the stress, exercise is a great way to compensate for all the extra treats that both you and your dog are going to be eating on Thanksgiving and other holidays of the season.

After a big meal, it is easy to kick back on the couch, unbutton the top button on your pants and watch football, but it's much better for you and your pup to get the family together and take a nice holiday walk. It will aid your digestion and help the family bond.

Don't get swept up in the action today and forget about your four-legged friends. Show them how thankful you are for their presence in your life by making sure you go the extra mile to meet their needs.

The largest part of your dog’s happiness is dependent upon physical exercise and mental stimulation, and the easiest way to satisfy both of your dog’s primary needs is a nice, long dog walk. However, we’ve hit a spurt of cold November rain that keeps both dogs and humans from getting out and pounding the pavement. 

Since bored dogs are usually difficult dogs, what should you do on rainy days like this to make sure your dogs aren’t driving you crazy in the house during the holiday season? ​

Dogs prefer to go everywhere with us, but unfortunately there are times when we have to go someplace where our dogs just can’t follow us. And ironically, the busiest time for kennels are the holidays - a time when families gather together to celebrate and be thankful for one another. 

Being separated from the pack is difficult for a dog. When put into a kennel environment, the stress can multiply exponentially. If little Fido can't tag along for the festivities and he can't stay with familiar friends or family, consider this list of important points when choosing a dog kennel:

1. Consider the price – don’t necessarily look for the lowest price you can find, but consider everything that is included for what you are paying. Most places will draw you in with a low room charge, but then you’ll find they charge for "extras" - bathroom breaks, 10 minute play sessions, walks, etc. 
2. How many bathroom breaks does your dog get? - Your dog should be going to the bathroom outside a very minimum of 4 times a day. Anything less could cause harm to your dog if they are forced to hold it or set back their potty training by relieving themselves in their kennel. 
   
3. Get him some exercise - If your dog is dog friendly, it might be beneficial to get them some play time with other dogs. This helps them blow off steam and makes it easier for them to sleep.
   
4. Make sure the playroom environment is right for your dog. My right hand guy Donovan has had wild success in some playrooms and horrible failures in another. Find out the dog-to-staff ratio (10-12 dogs per human is ideal, with a max of 15 dogs per human) and make sure your dog doesn’t get overwhelmed. Even the best dog can get in a fight or be stressed if they don’t feel safe or comfortable. Also, don’t forget that not every dog is meant for such large dog social groups and don’t see that as a failure as a dog parent. 
   
5. Is there an exercise option available outside of play time? Many places will do nature walks or treadmill time for your dogs. Physical exercise is an important part of your dog’s happiness and you don’t want it neglected while you are away. 
   
6. Find a good training option at the kennel. Even if your dog is well trained – most dogs benefit from doing a little work in the day. It is also a good way to get positive interaction with a human being. However, make sure you ask about training methodologies and techniques to ensure they are in line with your own training philosophies. 
7. When you find a kennel you like, take your dogs there for regular, short intervals of time before going on a long vacation. If you can make them a part of your extended pack, then your dog will be much more comfortable when boarding. 
8. Don’t buy into kennels that will treat your dog like a coat to be stored in a closet. You should be suspicious of any place that will even allow you to pay a small charge for your dog to sit in a room and only go to the bathroom twice a day. 
9. Use your instincts. Find a place you trust and that feels good. 

The beauty of puppyhood is that your dog is not yet ruled by his fears. They are open to the world and ready to receive new challenges. That includes being open to other dogs, people, and even stairs.

While this video is getting passed around the internet because it is adorable - it's important to note that stairs can become a legitimate fear for a dog if a puppy is not exposed to them while they are still young. This is true with various surfaces (street grates, linoleum, sand, etc) as well. If you don't push puppies into all these new experiences, then you're going to be calling me when your puppy is an adult, because they have developed a phobia that is getting in the way of their life and your life. 

This is especially important to consider when purchasing a dog from a breeder. A good breeder will expose a puppy to new situations, people, and dogs at an early age to prevent these phobias. Many will even have a dog potty trained before you bring your new pup home! If you find that the breeder you're working with does not provide these types of services, consider finding a different one. It will save you time and money in the long run!

On Sunday, Eva saw her owner again for the first time in 6 days. Typically, I don't recommend owners seeing their dog while the dog is in training, but this was an exception.

Watching Pam and Eva have their first ever walk when they were in sync with one another reminded me of a very important lesson: the dog you have today doesn't have to be the dog you have tomorrow.

As human beings, it is very easy for us to get stuck in bad situations and just learn to deal with it. This is our human nature - to soldier on. Working with dogs I get to see how easy it is to change a bad situation and to stop "soldiering on" and to start enjoying life.

Look at this amazing difference between the exact same walk with just 6 days of training here at AWDT.

Before:

So many of the dogs I work with are wonderful, well-mannered dogs -- until you put a leash on them, which promptly turns them into monsters that want to destroy other dogs. This is something that trainers call "leash reactivity." It comes about because we put a leash on our dogs when they are puppies and it's primary function is to keep them from everything they want in the world - other dogs, fire hydrants, new people, new smells, etc. 

To these dogs, everything they love in the world just signals frustration which makes them go ballistic

Eva the Diva was dropped off on Monday for what basically amounts to completely unruly behavior. Her owner had grown frustrated with her inability to walk on a leash, socialize with other dogs in another manner, or listen to anything. 

When I first met Eva, I thought she would be an "easy" case. No aggression or anxiety or fearfulness. But I quickly remembered how frustrating a completely unruly, high energy dog can be. 

The good news is that Eva is making fast progress in our intensive home board and train and is getting to the point where she is almost functional in the world. Here is a quick video of Eva getting dropped of by her owner & another video of Eva during a walk a couple weeks back:

Whether or not you choose to use a crate as a long-term solution, your dog should be comfortable in a crate. If they're not, scary places like the groomer, the kennel, or the vet become that much scarier when your dog realizes being crated is part of the deal. 

That's why crate training should be an essential part of every dog's training regiment. Because even if you're not going to use a crate in your daily life, at some point down the road having that skill WILL make your dog more comfortable and reduce their anxiety. 
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