Uh oh, so your holiday plans changed at the last minute and you’ve got a challenging dog to consider!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and perhaps you’ve had sudden plans come up, or with the news of a new respiratory illness going around in dogs, you’ve decided to bring your dog along instead of boarding them. While this may seem daunting for those of us with challenging dogs, it’s not too late to implement some planning to make the holiday easier. Here are some management ideas to help you survive the holiday that you can start planning for even with Thanksgiving just a few days away!

Space Management: Perhaps the simplest thing for most people to implement is some sort of space management. This can look like bringing along a crate, exercise pen, or baby gate and setting it up where your dog is able to be away from the hubbub. If the hosts are willing and your dog is not at risk for being let out, you can also try putting your dog away in a room during the festivities. If the weather allows and you feel it may not be wise to have them in the house (if there are young kids that may unlatch a crate or pen), consider crating your dog in the car during the meal.

Research and Plan Exercise Spaces: This could involve looking up Sniffspots in the area you will be and reserving time for off leash play. It could also be looking for quiet places to walk your dog on a map (like a business park, college campus, or other places that will be off for the holidays). Depending on where you are, hiking trails could be hit or miss during holidays in terms of crowds and they can be risky when everyone has time off. Having a few options ahead of time where you can give your dog some sniffing and exercise time that feel safe will help set everyone up for success.

Noise Abatement: If your dog may have trouble settling in new accommodations such as a relatives house or hotel, consider bringing a fan (or white noise machine) to help muffle new and strange sounds. You can also try layering sounds (for example, a white noise machine by the door, a fan by the window, and music playing near their xpen) for more effective sound muffling.

Treat Prep: Pack a range of treats for your dog, from high and medium value small bites for walks (and perhaps friends and family to give, if your dog is okay with that), to longer lasting chews, and even frozen licky treats and kongs.

Over the counter products: While these are likely to not be as effective as actual prescribed behavior medications (which you may not have enough time to acquire) some may be worth a try! Thunderease (formerly Adaptil) spray and plug ins could be helpful, and Vetriscience Composure calming chews. It may be worth a call to your vet to see what they might recommend.

Home Comforts: If your dog hasn’t traveled much with you, it doesn’t hurt to bring lots of comforting smells from home if you have the room. Favorite toys, blankets, and stuffies that smell familiar may help your pup feel more at ease in a new space, particularly if they have to be separated from you in another room. You may also find that laying a familiar blanket over your dogs crate will help them settle in better as well.

Last but not least - don’t forget that sometimes having a challenging pup has its silver linings. Who among us has not needed a bit of a break on occasion from our families during the holidays? You might find that bringing your special pup along means you have an extremely convenient reason to step away from the noise every so often for a decompression walk or fun playtime for both parties.

Last Minute Management