How To Celebrate Your Dog’s First Christmas

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The holidays are always an exciting time of year, but they’re even more fun when you’re celebrating with a new dog. Whether you’ve brought home a puppy or adopted a rescue, your dog’s first Christmas is a special time to bond and celebrate.

For your new dog, though, all of the lights, smells, and activity of the holiday season can be overwhelming. A little preparation can go a long way towards making their first holiday season magical.

To learn more about how to navigate a dog’s first Christmas, we spoke with Sarah Rutten, a certified dog trainer, author, and founder of The Canine Perspective in Queensland, Australia.

Pick the Best Dog-Safe Holiday Treats

One of the biggest surprises of the holiday season for lots of new pet parents is just how clever a puppy can be at sneaking table scraps and trash. Plus, even some foods you might think would be okay to share—like meat bones—can be dangerous.

The best way to keep your new friend safe is to know what holiday foods are a hazard and keep close tabs on them, including:

• Alcohol
• Avocados
• Bones from turkey or ham
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Raisins and grapes
• Candy and sugar-free candy

These foods can cause a range of problems from tummy aches to ruptured red blood cells to organ damage. Other foods to watch include traditional holiday meats like ham, which is high in fat and sodium, as well as spices like nutmeg (which is toxic to pups), cocoa powder, and cinnamon (both of which can cause an upset stomach).

Festive foods you can share

Want to share the feast? Here are some festive foods you can sneak under the table, or prepare on their own special plate:

• Plain cooked turkey with no skin and no seasoning
• Steamed, unseasoned green beans or carrots
• Plain mashed sweet potatoes

Just make sure to practice moderation. Bloat, a serious condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas, happens most often when a dog drinks or eats excessively before engaging in a high-energy activity.

You can also make your new dog’s first Christmas special by making your own dog-safe treats. Great holiday dog treats to make at home include:

•  a batch of dog-friendly Christmas cookies
• a festive pet-safe, no-bake snowball treat
•  a pup-approved gingerbread house

These recipes are not only good for your pup to enjoy, but they make great gifts for fellow dog parents as well.

Choose a Great Gift for Your New Pup

Gift-giving is one of the best parts of the holiday season—especially when it’s your pup’s first. So what should you gift your new friend?

• New toys. Give your pup the gift of fun with a new toy, like a squeaky plush, a puzzle toy, or a rope toy.
• A toy subscription. You might not know what kind of toys your dog likes best yet—which is where a subscription box that sends a monthly assortment can come in handy.
• A new bed. Let your pup know they’re home for the holidays—and forever—with a new bed.
• Dog advent calendars. These pup-friendly countdowns are often filled with toys and treats, with one surprise every day leading up to Christmas.
• Chew toys and treats. Chew toys and treats are a great way to keep a pup occupied and happy for a long time. Just make sure you choose a toy that’s rated for your pup’s age and size, and follow chew safety recommendations by supervising closely.
• Walking gear. While a harness or a new leash may not be the most exciting gift to your pup on Christmas morning, they’ll soon learn how much joy these simple items can bring.

Tips for opening gifts with your pup

“Wrap up a dog toy or treat for them so they feel part of the fun,” recommends Rutten. “Puppies love pulling and tearing things, so opening their own present can be very fun—just don’t let them eat the wrapping paper!”

Some basic precautions for pup-safe wrapping:

• Take plastic and tags off your pup’s gifts before you wrap them
• Avoid sparkly wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows
• Keep gifts out of reach until you’re ready to open them
• Choose a simple paper that won’t hurt your pup if they happen to swallow a little
• Add a tasty treat to the package so your pup knows it’s theirs

You might also be mindful of what gets left on the floor. Even brand new, expensive gifts are no match for puppy teeth.

Commemorate the Season with an Ornament

Your first holiday with a new pup is a memory worth keeping. One special way to commemorate the occasion is with a custom ornament. You can make your own paw print ornament with a salt dough using just three ingredients: flour, salt, and warm water.

These homemade ornaments are especially fun with puppies, whose paws won’t stay little forever. Just be sure to keep the dough and finished ornaments out of your pup’s reach—the salt used in the dough can be dangerous to dogs if consumed.

If DIY isn’t your thing, there are many choices for a “dog’s first Christmas” ornament to celebrate. Some are customizable with a photo, name, and year or have breed-specific options, perfect for your tree.

Other ways to commemorate your dog’s first Christmas

Here are a few other ways to make memories with your pup at Christmas:

• Visit dog-friendly holiday attractions. Many parks decorate with lights, and cities have parades and open-air markets you can visit with your pup. These are great opportunities to let your pup experience the magic of the season and practice their training too. Just be cautious; if your pup becomes overwhelmed or anxious, it’s time to take them home.
• Take photos with Santa. There’s nothing cuter than a photo of Santa with a wiggly puppy. Many pet stores and animal rescues have a day where you can bring your pup in to get a photo and some holiday cheer.
• Get a cute Christmas sweater. Have you ever seen a puppy wearing a festive sweater and not smiled? Be sure to measure your puppy before buying and supervise closely any time they’re dressed up.
• Hang the stockings with care. Hang your pup’s stocking by the fireplace and stuff it full of toys and treats to open on Christmas morning.

Keep Things Calm

The holidays are a lot of fun, but they’re also loud, busy, and unpredictable.

“Puppies need a lot of rest, especially during the chaos of Christmas,” says Rutten. “Visitors, kids, and noise can easily overwhelm them. Make sure they’ve got a quiet safe space to retreat to when they need a break.”

1. Create a safe space for your dog

Give your dog a place to retreat when the festivities become overwhelming.

This is especially important for new rescue pups, says Rutten. “Rescue dogs are already adapting to a whole new life, so the busy holiday season can be a lot. Give them a calm, predictable routine and a safe retreat where they can decompress when things get overwhelming.”

For some dogs, a cozy bed in the corner of the room is enough, letting them observe the party even while taking a moment away. Other dogs may need more distance, such as a quiet room or cozy kennel.

2. Put a “Please Don’t Ring” sign on the door

A consistent flow of deliveries, friends, and family can be stressful for a pup during the holiday season, especially when it means constant knocking and doorbell ringing.

One way to minimize the stress of your dog’s first Christmas is by placing a “please don’t ring” sign on the door. Use tracking apps to know when your packages are ready to retrieve, and encourage friends and family to text when they arrive.

3. Make time for exercise and enrichment

With all the plans and parties of the holiday season—not to mention the increased hours of darkness—it can be challenging to find the time to exercise your new pup.

If you’re struggling to get your new pup out for walks as often as usual, consider hiring a dog walker to help. Finding new ways to stimulate your pup’s body and mind (such as with enrichment toys) can also help them work out excess energy during a busy season.

4. Take breaks

FOMO isn’t just for humans. Many dogs—especially puppies—need structure and guidance to know when it’s time to leave the party. Enforced nap time is a great way to get puppies to rest and recover, while older dogs just may need some quiet time to sleep or play on their own.

Watch for signs of overstimulation like restlessness, hyperactivity, excessive barking, and struggling to follow cues.

Do Some Holiday Training

“The holidays and the new year are perfect for starting good habits,” says Rutten. With so much going on, there are plenty of opportunities to learn or practice new skills.

Use positive reinforcement techniques like treats and praise to reward your pup for good behavior like greeting guests calmly, leaving off-limits treats, and trying new things.

1. “Leave it”

Practicing the cue “leave it” is a great way to keep things safe and redirect your new pup’s attention from something they shouldn’t get into.

You’ll still want to do some dog-proofing, though. “Puppies love to play with decorations,” says Rutten. “Consider placing a barrier around the tree, hiding those power cords, and keeping fragile ornaments out of reach.”

2. “Go to spot” (place training)

Place training is perfect for pups who need a little encouragement to settle down, to stay out of the way during cooking, or to not rush to greet guests at the door. This particular cue tells a pup to go to a specific place in your home, whether that’s their bed, kennel, or a certain room. (It pairs especially well with dog gates while everyone is learning.)

3. Socialization

New experiences are great for a puppy’s growth, and your dog’s first Christmas offers them in abundance.

Help your new pup encounter new people and places intentionally, using praise and treats to create positive associations. Always introduce your pup to new experiences slowly, watching their response and body language. If your dog appears to be uncomfortable, remove them from the situation.

4. Doorbell training

Doorbells can cause a lot of chaos and anxiety around the holidays, but they also create a training opportunity. Use every ring of the bell as an chance to socialize your pup, practice polite greetings, or go to their spot—with plenty of treats, of course.

5. Guest greetings

Practice greeting guests the right way this season with these tips:

• Leash your puppy before guests arrive.
• When the doorbell rings, stand back from the door, while maintaining a view of it, while your guest enters. Having a second human to open the door to your guests is helpful for this step.
• Begin to approach.
• If your puppy pulls too much or bounces around, back up a couple of steps, wait until they are relaxed, then begin again.
• Repeat until your puppy arrives calmly at the feet of your guest.
• Once your pup has greeted and your guest has a chance to settle in, stow their leash again and set them free.

Remember, your dog’s first Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect. After all, you’re both still learning how to navigate life together, let alone the holidays. But with a little planning, you can help your new pup enjoy the lights, treats, cuddles, and joy of the season while building trust and confidence that will last far beyond December.