Stress Free Holidays

“How To Enjoy A Stress-Free Holiday Season With The Company Of your Family And Pet” (And the best part is that it won’t cost you a thing!)

By: Elaine Lipkin-Gardner

I’m sure it’s happened to you—the holidays, what should normally be a happy, celebratory time of year turns into a tension convention. The house needs to be decorated. Dozens of gifts need to be bought and wrapped. Food needs to be prepared. Guests need to be entertained. There aren’t enough hours in the day. Expectations are rising along with your blood pressure…

The Holidays morph into the Hellidays.

We’re stressed and we unwittingly pass that stress along to our pets. Maybe we lose our temper. Get emotional. Eat or drink more than usual. Holiday hackles are rising. And our pets know it.

Animal behaviorists will tell you that our pets are highly attuned to our behavior, more so than we think. So we need to look at our own behaviors, deal with our stresses, and thus help our pets—who, after all are only reacting to us.

Triggers for our pets can be disrupted schedules, rearranging the home décor, visits by more people than usual, boredom from lack of attention or mental stimulation. So naturally – our pets act out.

Humans react to pets much as they do small children. We scoop them up when they are afraid and sooth them—which only teaches them to react fearfully for the positive response of being cuddled. Or we give them special treats at inappropriate times – which reinforces their bad behavior.

How you respond to your pet’s behavior can determine how well you and your pet survive the holidays. Make sure to use positive reinforcement to replace destructive behavior with appropriate behavior. And don’t scold them in ways that will only increase their anxiety.

Taking time to take care of ourselves is most important of all. Get exercise, do activities that are relaxing, watch what you eat and drink, learn to set limits and learn how to just say no to people.

And what about gifts? I often see parents buying toys for their children to compensate for the lack of time they have to spend with them. And, yes I often see people do the same for their dogs – especially during the Holidays.

Pet stores make it easy. Displays abound with ‘holiday’ toys and treats. The store will even gift wrap them!

My advice for you is this: The best gift you can give your pet is you. A relaxed, stress-free you. Happy Holidays.