Re-Establishing Your Dog’s Routine After the Holidays

(And why it matters more than you think)

The holidays are wonderful—extra treats, guests, late nights, disrupted schedules, and lots of excitement. For us, that’s fun. For dogs, it can be confusing, overstimulating, and destabilizing.

If your dog feels a little “off” after the holidays—more reactive, clingy, restless, or unfocused—you’re not imagining it. The good news? Routines can be gently rebuilt, and doing so helps your dog feel safe, calm, and confident again.

Routines provide dogs with structure, predictability and lower anxiety and stress.

Why routines matter so much to dogs

Dogs thrive on predictability. Knowing what happens next reduces stress and helps regulate emotions. When routines disappear, dogs may show:

• Increased anxiety or hypervigilance

• Reactivity on walks

• Regression in training

• Difficulty settling or sleeping

• Attention-seeking behaviors

This isn’t “bad behavior”—it’s a dog trying to regain stability.

Step 1: Reset the basics (before asking for more)

Start with the foundational pillars of your dog’s day:

🕒 Feeding

• Return to consistent feeding times

• Use meals as training opportunities (hand-feeding, enrichment, calm waits)

  
  

🚶 Movement

• Resume predictable walk times

• Keep walks calm and decompressive rather than overly stimulating

• Shorter, structured walks are better than chaotic long ones

😴 Rest

• Re-establish nap times

• Encourage quiet downtime with chews, mats, or crates (if used positively)

Think structure first, not perfection.

Step 2: Lower expectations (temporarily)

Many guardians expect their dog to “snap back” immediately. That pressure can actually slow progress.

Instead:

• Go back a step in training if needed

• Reinforce behaviors your dog already knows

• Reward calm, not just obedience

Confidence rebuilds faster when dogs feel successful.

Step 3: Bring back predictability through cues

Dogs don’t read calendars—but they read patterns.

Use:

• The same words for routines (“Let’s go for a walk,” “Settle,” “All done”)

• The same order of events each day

• Visual cues like leashes, mats, or feeding stations

This helps your dog anticipate calmly instead of reacting impulsively.

Step 4: Address emotional fallout gently

Some dogs carry emotional residue from the holidays:

• Overstimulation from guests

• Missed sleep

• Inconsistent boundaries

• Extra treats and attention, then sudden withdrawal

Offer reassurance through:

• Calm presence

• Gentle touch (if your dog enjoys it)

• Choice-based interactions (let them approach you)

Security comes from connection, not control.

Step 5: Reintroduce training with intention

Once routines feel stable again:

• Add short, positive training sessions

• Focus on engagement and relationship-building

• Keep sessions brief and rewarding

Five minutes of quality training beats thirty minutes of frustration.

A gentle reminder for dog guardians

Your dog isn’t being “difficult.” They’re readjusting.

Routines don’t just organize time—they regulate nervous systems. By rebuilding structure with compassion, you’re telling your dog:

“You’re safe. I’ve got you. Life makes sense again.”

And that’s when behavior improves naturally.

Need support rebuilding routines?

If your dog is struggling with anxiety, reactivity, or regression after the holidays, personalized guidance can make all the difference. A calm plan, tailored to your dog, helps restore balance faster—and with less stress for both of you.

💛 Consistency. Compassion. Connection.

Contact me by call/text: 250-688-5392 or email: celestegoodhope@live.ca

Dog Trainer Invermere

Dog Trainer Invermere