Christmas from Your Dog’s Perspective
Christmas is a magical time of year, but for our furry friends, it can be a perplexing experience. From the twinkling lights to the tantalizing scents of holiday feasts, our canine companions navigate through the festivities with their own perspective. In this whimsical narrative, we step into the paws of a dog and explore the quirks and conundrums of the holiday season. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of Christmas from a canine point of view.
The snow is falling outside the windows, decorations are being put up, and birds are lured into the yard (yum...). To the sound of jingle bells, dog parents become more and more restless. There's a rush; "things" need to be done, while at the same time, there's supposed to be some kind of Christmas spirit, which no one seems to have time for since the house needs to be cleaned as if someone got fleas. Chewable items that a dog absolutely shouldn't touch are placed and hung up everywhere. By now, a dog has learned that the wreath on the door is not a toy, and the straw goat is not a mating partner. Christmas spirit can mean different things depending on how many legs you have. Four legs = total confusion.
The dog's view on Christmas spirit and decorations
We can admit that Christmas can create some tension. A dog will pick up on it and wonder what's going on. Our furry friends may wonder why the kids are peering out of the windows, as if someone is coming. A loyal dog will naturally raise its alertness and bark more, louder, mightier, just in case. Another confusing experience is all these lights and lanterns. A dog quickly learns that candles can singe the whiskers if you're not careful. But why is the favorite pee tree in the front yard lit up as if it's been struck by lightning? That can be challenging to understand. As a dog, you'll try to pee on it more, for safety reasons, while the two-legged ones go into falsetto and yell something about liquids and electricity; apparently, a dog shouldn't try to act as a firefighter.
Food abundance and visitors during Christmas
And what's the deal with all the food being hoarded? Are humans preparing for harder times? With the territory stuffed with sausages, cheese, turkey, and ham, it's just as well to really let the neighbor's dog know not to enter the premises. But not just him, nowadays, people visit more often; the doorbell is ringing off the hook. Considering the increased alertness and all the sausages, that becomes somewhat of a problem. For some dogs. You might want to read up on Christmas dangers for dogs to understand what can be risky during this time.
The dog and the chaotic Christmas preparations
One evening, before Christmas Eve, everything reaches a climax. Porridge is placed outside for someone named "Santa" (a Swedish tradition), which undoubtedly is a waste of good food if you ask a dog. Also the elderly are up half the night wrapping things, while the little ones refuse to sleep. Something is going on. But what? And it gets worse when someone arrives home with... a tree. A TREE! Placed inside the HOUSE. Finally! But you're not allowed to pee on it?! The height of peculiarity has been reached. However, it gets a pretty quick explanation. Apparently, it's not a pee tree; soon , the tree's branches will be filled with colorful balls! Heaven in the living room. A gigantic activity toy. But once again, you're not allowed to touch it. Everything deteriorates completely.
Dog meets Santa: stress and confusion
It can take a dog an entire day to regain composure after such an experience. But, the next day, the issue is not resolved at all, as that "Santa" dude stomps in and shouts "ho ho ho!" while staring down the kids. The red-clad one with a beard pounds his knees and bends forward, sternly asking if the little ones have been good or bad. Since it's challenging for a dog to kindly roar "of course they have been good!" while also keeping an eye on the colorful balls in the tree and trying to snatch the turkey at the same time... a Santa might almost get bitten in the beard if the adults don't intervene. It's called a breakdown, a perfectly natural response to Christmas. If you are a dog.
The dog tries to understand the oddities of Christmas
Yes, Christmas is a strange time for a dog, especially a young one experiencing his/her first Christmas. He/she isn't allowed to eat chocolates, raisins, or nuts placed out in small bowls that really resemble dog bowls. And ribbons aren't toys; apparently, your intestines can get tangled up to the point of death if you think they are. But at the same time, children get to play with them. And you can't guard the porridge on the stairs. And, on top of it, you really shouldn't approach the straw goat... Is this what's called the Christmas spirit, a dog may wonder?
Being patient and understanding during Christmas
As you can see, if your dog scratches his/her head frantically during the holiday season and looks like Albert Einstein just before he cracked the code behind E=mc², everything is as it should be. And in this situation, it's not the dog we should change; we should simply understand their perspective.
Tips to make Christmas easier for your dog
Perhaps a chew bone in a secluded spot (definitely not under the tree among the other gifts – if you want to keep them intact) might be appropriate after a long walk before the guests arrive. Maybe your dog shouldn't be standing in the hallway when Santa Claus is on the other side, ready to step in. You might need to prevent your half-blind old grandmother from fluffing the dog, thinking he's a couch cushion. Feel free to place lit candles and chocolate on high tables. And if much needs to be avoided, ensure that your pup has his/her own things to do. New, exciting toys, almost as exciting as a gingerbread house and shiny ornaments. If your dog happens to urinate on the Christmas tree, let out an affectionate sigh, turn up the holiday music, grab another toffee, and be grateful that you don't have any squirrels in the tree. Because we all know how that scene ends. From all of us at Petli to you and your beloved canine companion: Merry Christmas!
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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