Pets and Strangers

Christmas holidays can be a busy time for everyone, including pets. There is more activity as everyone is home for the holidays, they may be getting less rest, and they may become less tolerant.

Chances are your dog/s or cat/s may encounter some new/strange people over the holidays – maybe you have family or friends visiting or are hosting a gathering/party or Christmas lunch. While some pets love the activity and attention, some may be more comfortable away from the activity, especially if they are not too keen on meeting strangers.

Rest Zones

First thing is that all pets need a comfortable rest zone away from any activity, so they feel safe. You may choose to have your pet in their rest zone the whole time you have visitors over, or just at certain times. Or your pet may choose themselves.

Make sure that no strangers can access that area, even pop their head in to see your pet or be visible, for example going past going to the bathroom.

Find out more about Rest Zones and how to set one up here.

Talk to your visitors

Brief your visitors about your pet, you may need to explain how they do not like strange people touching them or staring at them and ask them to ignore your pet, even if they come up for a sniff. Often if a pet comes up to sniff, people misinterpret that your pet wants to be touched, but usually they are just gathering information.

Explain to people not to reach their hand out for your pet to sniff. Your pet can smell them as soon as they come on the property, they do not need a hand stuck in their face to find out information.

Supervision

Be sure to have a designated adult supervising any interactions between your pet and strangers, especially if they are children.

Read up on canine body language and know the top 3-4 subtle signals that your pet may display if they are uncomfortable. This may include, moving away, head turns, lip licking, and freezing. Find out more about Canine Body Language in our series of articles;
Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language – Eyes
Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language – Ears
Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language – Tail
Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language – The Mouth
Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language – Body Positions

Engaging With Visitors

If it is appropriate and you feel your pet is calm enough to engage with visitors, play the find it game. This is where you or your visitors toss treats on the ground for your pet to find (be cautious if you have multiple pets). This helps to relax (sniffing is calming) and gives them a chance to move away if they are unsure.

Be careful giving any high value items such as bones or chews around large groups of people, except if your pet is secure in their rest zone, especially if your pet has the tendency to guard food and other items.

Let Your Pet Choose

Meeting or interacting with strange people should be the choice of your pet, not the people. So allow your pet to choose. Be sure to ask people to move away if your pet has had enough, especially if your pet is not sure how to move away themselves. Using a target/touch cue is a great idea.

Prepare

By preparing, advocating for your pets, and supervising, you should breeze through having visitors. As always, be safe, happy training and contact us for help with your pets.