calm christmas with your dog free guide
Three simple things for a calmer, happier Christmas with your dog
You don’t need to do more this Christmas. You just need to do a few things differently.
A free, short Christmas guide from the Canine Thinking team – created to support you and your dog through the festive period, without adding anything else to your to-do list. You can watch or listen, in one go or on the fly, whenever it suits you.
Christmas asks a lot of dogs (and their people)
Christmas can be a lovely time.It can also be noisy, unpredictable and genuinely hard work for dogs (even if parts of it are fun). Routines shift, visitors come and go, excitement runs high, and there’s often very little chance to properly switch off.
Many guardians find themselves quietly managing more than they realise – keeping an eye on their dog, adjusting plans, and hoping everything just stays on track.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone – we’re navigating Christmas with our own dogs too, and we’ve picked up a few useful ways to make it easier.
Does this sound familiar?
You might find yourself:
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keeping half an eye on your dog while everything else is going on
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trying to manage interactions with excited children and visitors so nothing tips over
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constantly reminding people to close doors and put things out of reach of nosey noses (mince pies, presents, chocolate)
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feeling torn between the needs of family and friends, and the needs of your dog
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worrying about what to do when you know things are too stressful
Even if your dog is usually quite chilled, Christmas can bring out all sorts of unexpected behaviours. It’s not your dog being naughty – it’s them letting you know that things feel a bit too much. And if you already live with a dog who is worried about people, sensitive to noise, or who struggles when routines change, Christmas can feel like hard work.
And sometimes even if your dog copes on the surface, there can be hidden costs which appear later on.
This guide is here to let you know we hear you and to give you a couple of small targeted adjustments to help things feel more manageable so you head off problems before stress builds into something harder to live with.
What you’ll take away from this short guide
This is practical guidance you can put into action straight away. No heavy theory – just clear ideas that make Christmas easier for you and your dog.
Step 1: calm, easy activities that help dogs cope
How to use simple targeted enrichment to help your dog decompress whilst keeping them occupied. Perfect for coping better with busy days, visitors, changed routines and excited little people. Quick and easy to prepare and set up – exactly what you need when time is short!
Step 2: rest spaces and supplements – setting your dog up to switch off
How to create the right rest spaces and times amongst the chaos at home and if needed, add an appropriate supplement to support sleep, recovery and proper downtime during the Christmas period.
Step 3: medication – planning ahead for known challenges
How to think clearly about medication for predictable problem situations such as fireworks, separation or particularly stressful days – including why planning ahead matters and what sensible conversations with your vet can look like. This can make a significant difference to your dog’s wellbeing and to how smoothly things settle after Christmas.
A calmer Christmas doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from doing the right few things well.
Live Christmas cuppa & chat (optional)
Alongside the guide, we’re hosting a relaxed live Christmas cuppa & chat.
This is an informal 30-minute session where you can ask questions, talk things through, or simply listen in for reassurance.
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Thursday 18th December at 7pm (UK time)
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Around 30 minutes
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Cameras off if you prefer
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No pressure to attend
If you can’t make it live, that’s absolutely fine – the guide is designed to stand alone.
Who this is for
This guide is for dog guardians who want Christmas to feel calmer and kinder for their dog.
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dogs who struggle with change, excitement or busy environments
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guardians juggling a lot and needing things to feel simpler
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people who want to put wellbeing first, without overthinking everything
You don’t need to be dealing with a “big problem” to benefit.
What you’ll get
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Free on-demand Christmas guide (around 30 minutes)
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Clear, practical guidance grounded in wellbeing
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Optional live Christmas cuppa & chat to ask questions
Bonus audio version
Video and audio – watch or listen – it’s completely up to you.
About Lisa
Lisa is a dog behaviourist and wellbeing specialist at Canine Thinking.
Her work focuses on helping dogs cope well with change, pressure and everyday challenges, so life feels calmer and more manageable for both dogs and their people.
This Christmas guide reflects how she and her team work every day with guardians: calm, clear guidance that makes life easier for both dogs and the people who care for them.
FAQs
Is this really free?
Yes. This guide is completely free – a small Christmas gift from the Canine Thinking team.
Can I listen instead of watching?
Yes. The guide is available as both video and audio.
Do I need to attend live?
No. The live cuppa & chat is optional. The guide is designed to stand alone.
Is this suitable if my dog already struggles with anxiety?
Yes. The guidance is designed to reduce pressure and support wellbeing.
Support your dog through Christmas – without adding more to your plate
This guide is our small Christmas gift to you and your dog.
