A Guide to Halloween and Holiday Preparation for Dogs from Wagsworth Manor

With the holiday season fast approaching, homes across the Main Line and beyond begin to buzz with excitement. From the first knocks of trick-or-treaters on Halloween night to the warmth of Thanksgiving gatherings and the twinkling lights of December celebrations, your home quickly becomes the hub of festivities. But while the people in your family may eagerly look forward to guests, costumes, and hearty feasts, your dog may see things a little differently. Read our guide to holiday preparation for dogs to make them feel safe this season!

For many pets, the holidays bring new noises, strange scents, an increase in visitors, and changes to daily routines. What feels like fun chaos to us can often spark confusion, stress, or even problem behaviors in our four-legged companions. That’s why holiday preparation for dogs is essential. With the right training, guidance, and care, you can help your pup not only tolerate but thrive during the most wonderful time of the year.

At Wagsworth Manor, we know that every pup is unique – and so are the challenges they face when life gets busy. That’s why we’ve designed specialized courses to help dogs and their humans navigate everything from overexcitement at the door to leash reactivity and even the enrichment of scent work. Whether your pup is still in their early puppy stage or already a beloved member of the family, preparing for the holidays starts with building confidence, manners, and trust.

Quick Tips to Ease Holiday Stress

Create a Safe Space: Keep your dog in a comfortable room away from the door during trick-or-treating or large parties. Add cozy bedding, toys, and soothing music.
Drown Out Noise: Play white noise, television, or calming music to reduce the impact of doorbell rings or loud conversations.
Inform Your Guests: Let family and friends know where your dog is resting. Not every dog appreciates being greeted by Dracula or a zombie mid-party!
Practice Desensitization: Use treats and positive reinforcement to slowly expose your pup to door knocks or bell rings before the big day.

These strategies lay the groundwork, but for long-term success, structured training programs are invaluable.

From Reactive to Relaxed: Tackling Reactivity Head-On

One of the most common challenges owners face; especially during the holidays – is dog reactivity. If your pup barks, lunges, or shows anxiety around people or other dogs, the busy season can magnify these struggles. Imagine opening the door for trick-or-treaters while your dog explodes with barking or attempting to host Thanksgiving dinner while your pup growls at guests. The next round of training courses starts 10/11/25 @11am.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is perfect for dogs who:

Bark, lunge, or growl at strangers, guests, or other dogs
Display anxiety during walks or around new people
Struggle to calm down in stimulating environments

At Wagsworth Manor, our Reactive to Relaxed course uses positive reinforcement and proven desensitization methods to help pups build confidence. The first class is owner-only, designed to give you the tools and understanding before practicing with your dog. From there, you and your trainer will work together in real-time to handle reactive moments, ensuring you feel equipped to help your dog succeed.

Good Manners for Great Gatherings – Essential Holiday Preparation for Dogs

Once your pup has a handle on basic obedience, our Good Manners class is the perfect next step. This intermediate program helps polish your dog’s skills and make those cues reliable, even in distracting environments. The next round of training courses starts 10/21/25 at 6pm.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for dogs who:

Know basic commands but need refinement
Jump on guests when excited
Struggle with impulse control around food or toys
Need more reliable leash manners during holiday walks

Picture this: it’s Thanksgiving dinner, and instead of counter-surfing or begging at the table, your pup politely settles on their mat. Or maybe you’re decorating your Christmas tree, and instead of stealing ornaments, your dog calmly waits by your side. That’s the beauty of Good Manners training – it transforms potential holiday stressors into proud moments of progress.

With the right guidance, your pup can greet guests politely, leave the turkey alone, and walk through bustling holiday neighborhoods without pulling. This kind of reliability is the ultimate gift for both owner and dog.

And yes, this training also counts toward meaningful holiday preparation for dogs, ensuring your celebrations run smoothly and stress-free.

Intro to Scent Work: Enrichment During Busy Seasons

While the holidays are exciting for us, dogs often experience them as long days filled with waiting, new rules, and sometimes boredom. That’s why enrichment is such a crucial piece of keeping dogs happy and balanced. Our Intro to Scent Work class taps into your pup’s natural instincts by introducing them to scent detection exercises that stimulate both mind and body. The next round of training courses starts 10/23/25 at 6pm.

Who Should Enroll?

This class is great for dogs who:

Love to sniff and explore
Need an outlet for extra energy
Struggle with boredom-related behaviors (chewing, pacing, whining)
Could benefit from confidence-building activities

During the holiday rush, you may not always have the time for long walks or play sessions. But with scent work skills, you can set up mini “search games” right in your living room. Hiding birch-scented objects or toys turns downtime into fun time, keeping your pup engaged and calm.

For shy or anxious pups, scent work also builds confidence by allowing them to work independently while enjoying mental stimulation. It’s one of the most underrated but impactful ways to integrate holiday preparation for dogs into your household.

Puppy Preschool: Starting on the Right Paw

Holidays are full of firsts for young puppies – first costumes, first trick-or-treaters, first turkey dinner smells, and first bustling holiday party. Without proper introduction, these events can overwhelm your puppy, potentially leading to long-term fear or reactivity.

Our Puppy Preschool program is designed to create positive early experiences through structured training, socialization, and daycamp fun. Puppies attend at least two days per week, giving them consistent exposure to new sights, sounds, and activities under the guidance of experienced trainers.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for puppies who:

Are just beginning their training journey
Need socialization with other dogs and people
Show early signs of fear or anxiety around new experiences
Could benefit from exposure to household sounds and holiday-like settings

Puppy Preschool ensures your pup learns to handle busy environments with grace, setting them up for long-term success. Whether it’s calmly meeting guests, walking nicely on leash during neighborhood light tours, or simply relaxing by the fireplace, these foundational skills will serve your pup for a lifetime.

Investing in Puppy Preschool now means you’re taking one of the most proactive steps in holiday preparation for dogs, and beyond.

Holiday Preparation for Dogs Made Simple at Wagsworth Manor

The holidays should be a time of joy, laughter, and togetherness – not stress and frustration over your dog’s behavior. By preparing ahead, investing in the right training programs, and creating safe, enriching environments, you can ensure both you and your pup enjoy every festive moment.

Whether your dog needs help with reactivity, impulse control, or enrichment, Wagsworth Manor offers the perfect course to fit their needs. And for the youngest pups, Puppy Preschool provides the ultimate foundation for a lifetime of success.

So as you start planning your family gatherings, decorations, and travel, don’t forget the most important piece of holiday preparation for dogs: giving them the training and support they need to feel confident and calm.

We invite you to inquire today about training classes or boarding for the holidays at Wagsworth Manor – where your canine companion can experience 5-star luxury, expert care, and a true home away from home.

A Guide to Halloween and Holiday Preparation for Dogs from Wagsworth Manor