Do you traditionally rewatch holiday classic films this time of year? Here's a fun way to relate the classics to dog training tips. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

"And why is the carpet all wet, Todd?" "I don't know, Margo!" 

Whether your dog is fully potty trained or not, make sure your dog potties before going into a new home. New homes and changes in routine can be stressful, especially for dogs. Give your dog extra potty breaks so they're not tempted to improvise a "present" under the tree.

Elf

“He must be a South Pole elf.” 

If your dog trends towards being cranky with visitors, it’s best to give your dog a staycation in a comfy bedroom rather than encourage them to join your reindeer games. 

Home Alone

“I made my family disappear.” 

If you’re traveling with your dog who has separation anxiety, do your best to not leave your dog home alone in the new place. Separation anxiety recovery often doesn’t seamlessly transfer to a new place. Even if you have worked up to your dog being home alone for several hours, a new place can trigger separation anxiety. 

A Christmas Story

“I triple dog dare ya!” 

If your dog is selective about which dogs she allows into her circle of trust, visiting a home with another dog can be stressful. A holiday visit just isn’t enough time to get these types of dogs comfortable with each other. It's best to use baby gates, tethers, and closed doors to keep dogs separated. 

Love Actually

“If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love, actually, is all around."

No matter if your dog has brag-worthy behavior or is on a continuous blooper reel, remember to have fun with your dog! Take an extra long walk in the woods. Rent a Sniff Spot. Have some DIY dog training fun with Behavior Buddies’ step-by-step instructions. 

A huge THANK YOU to Erin Saywell plus her dog Baker for posing as Cousin Eddie and Ralphie dressed as a bunny. A huge THANK YOU to Lenore Boulet who replaced Kevin McCallister’s head with a dog’s head in the poster parody of Home Alone.