Stress-Free Throughout the Pre-Christmas Period

Tips for keeping your dog calm and safe in a hectic and crowded place

11.11.2024

For many of us, there’s nothing better than a stroll around a Christmas market during the festive season. Beautifully decorated stalls, twinkling lights, the smell of delicious food and Christmas music give many people a wonderful feeling. How much would you like to share these wonderful moments with your four-legged friend? But, what makes us happy can mean pure stress for our dogs. Dense crowds, loud noises, and accidental kicks on paws are more of a nightmare for our four-legged friends.

Leave them at home: We recommend that you spare your four-legged friend the hustle and bustle of the Christmas market. Train them in good time and in small steps to be left alone without stress while you are away.
People group training: If you do end up bringing your dog to a market, use targeted training to help them stay relaxed and feel comfortable around lots of people and strangers. Search the internet for sound recordings that resemble a Christmas market and play them to your dog over several training sessions and slowly increase the volume. This will get them used to the sounds in his familiar surroundings.
Remember to steer clear of crowded Christmas markets. The popular markets in particular can get very crowded. In these environments, your dog is exposed to dense crowds and is in constant danger of being pushed and kicked. Not every four-legged friend can tolerate the stress associated with large crowds. However, if you don't want to miss out on the special markets, visit them at times of day when there aren't many visitors.
Precautionary measures: If you want to take your four-legged friend with you, first enquire whether they’re welcome at the Christmas market. Keep your dog on a short lead to avoid tripping other visitors. If you have a small dog, hold it in your arms to protect it from being kicked. For safety reasons, put a muzzle on your four-legged friend so that they are not tempted to eat food lying on the ground that is harmful or dangerous and also to prevent any reflex bites in case they are accidentally kicked or something similar.
Protect them from the cold: Keep in mind that you will stop at a stall from time to time to look at the products on offer or enjoy a hot drink or similar. If necessary, put something warm on your dog so they don’t have to freeze while waiting.
Protect paws: Remember that gritting agents are used in winter. Road salt and gravel at the Christmas market and other areas can irritate dogs' paws. If you notice any signs of discomfort in your dog -such a limping, pulling up the affected paw, refusal to walk-, leave the gritted areas and carefully clean the paws.
Take a break: Give your dog a break from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas market now and then. Take them to places where there are fewer people and are less hectic with less noise and stress where your dog can fulfil their needs e.g. drinking water.
Observe your dog closely: Look out for signs of discomfort. Does your dog have its tail between its legs? Are their ears laid back? Are they constantly licking their lips or panting more? Then it's time for you to leave the Christmas market with your dog.