Tip 1: Baby Gates
Baby gates will be absolute life savers this Christmas. They let you keep your dog out of certain areas without shutting them away or isolating them — a perfect middle ground.
They’re quick and easy to close, and most are toddler-proof (so no surprise “door openings” from little escape artists).They’re also cheap — grab a second-hand one on Facebook Marketplace or pop into a charity shop.
My personal recommendation:• Put one in the living room where you’ll be opening gifts.• And another in the kitchen to stop counter-surfing, begging at the table, or food stealing.
If you’re going to use gates, get them NOW. You’ve still got two weeks to help your dog get used to being in a different room — and that practice period makes all the difference.#valsk9training #kid #preventingdogbites #christmas
Tip 2: Crates
Tip 3: Prep the Kids
It’s all well and good setting up crates, baby gates, and safe spaces for your dog…But if the kids are wild, overstimulated, or not listening, accidents can still happen.
So start prepping your kids now.
• Explain how to respect a dog’s space.• Show them what soft hands look like — no pulling, tugging, grabbing fur, ears, or tails.• Teach them that if the dog is eating anything (even a toy that “shouldn’t” be in their mouth), they must NOT try to take it themselves — they should find an adult.• Make it clear that if the dog is in their crate or in another room, that means leave them alone.
For toddlers, impulse control simply isn’t there yet. So ask other adults to keep an eye on them, and make sure everyone who comes into your home knows the dog rules from the start.
That way, everyone is on the same page, everyone works together, and both kids and dogs stay safe and happy.#valsk9training #kidsanddogs #preventingdogbites #christmas
Tip 4: People Under the Influence
Tip 4: People Under the Influence
When people are celebrating — a few drinks in, energy high, emotions running warm — their usual awareness and impulse control naturally dip a little. It’s completely normal, but it can make interactions with dogs a bit unpredictable.
A playful dog, a relaxed atmosphere, someone feeling extra affectionate…It’s easy for well-meaning behaviour to become a bit much for a dog, especially later in the evening.
So if you’re hosting and you know drinks will be flowing:
• When the energy in the room changes,• Or things start getting louder, happier, and a little more chaotic…
Give your dog a chance to reset.Let them out for a quick wee, then settle them into their safe space (crate, gated room, bed — whatever they know and love).
This helps prevent accidental mishaps — like someone tripping over a sleeping dog, leaning in for an enthusiastic cuddle your dog doesn’t want, or trying to play or do tricks when the dog is actually done for the day.
It’s simply about protecting your dog from unwanted or overwhelming attention, and keeping the evening enjoyable for everyone — two-legged and four-legged.#valsk9training #christmas #preventingdogbites
Tip 5: Let’s Talk Muzzles
Some dogs don’t settle well in crates or separate rooms — and that’s okay. But if they’re likely to become overwhelmed in a busy, buzzing environment, a muzzle can be the next sensible step.
Start muzzle training now, so your dog feels comfortable and confident wearing one. We’ve got plenty of videos on our social media to help you get started with positive, fear-free muzzle training.
Pro tip: When guests first arrive, have your dog on a lead and wearing their muzzle. You don’t have to keep it on all day — just during those high-energy moments when excitement is high, people are coming through the door, and everyone is still settling in.
This helps protect your dog from stressful interactions and gives you peace of mind, especially around children or unfamiliar visitors.
Muzzles aren’t a sign of a “bad dog. ”They’re just another safety tool — like baby gates, leads, and crates — to help everyone enjoy the day calmly and confidently.#valsk9training #preventingdogbites #kidsanddogs #christmas
Tip 6: Gifts
Gifts… how could they possibly be an issue, right? Well… let’s talk about it.
If you’ve put presents for your dog under the tree, trust me — they know. Their noses are basically superpowers.But even if there aren’t dog gifts, the tree is suddenly surrounded by new, interesting-smelling items that don’t normally live in your house.
New smells = curiosity.Curiosity = investigation.And a dog in “investigation mode” doesn’t always appreciate hands suddenly reaching toward their interesting object.
If a dog feels they haven’t finished checking something out — or they’ve decided it might belong to them — this can lead to a snap.For an adult, that might be a quick nip to the hand.For a child, who naturally leans in… it could be a snap toward the face.
You do not need to take that risk.
So here’s the plan:• Put your dog in a separate room about an hour before gift opening.• Open presents calmly as a family.• Then tidy up.
Or — turn it into enrichment!Collect the wrapping paper and let your dog enjoy supervised shredding in a different room where they won’t be disturbed. They’ll think it’s the best Christmas ever.#valsk9training #preventingdogbites #kidsanddogs #Christmas
Tip 7: Food
Let’s be honest… food is basically the best part of Christmas, right?And your dog definitely agrees.
That delicious Christmas dinner cooling on the counter while everything else is being prepped…That tempting dessert full of chocolate or raisins sitting out while you’re eating…
Yep. To your dog, these are prime opportunities to help themselves the moment your back is turned.
But here’s the issue:• Some Christmas foods are toxic to dogs.• Others are just so high-value that a dog might guard them.• And reaching in to take something from a dog who has just scored the jackpot (like turkey or mince pies) can lead to a bite — even from a normally chilled-out dog.
Those baby gates from earlier? They prevent 90% of this.
BUT…If your dog ever does manage to sneak something dangerous, having a muzzle-trained dog makes the vet visit so much smoother. The vet can examine them calmly without the added stress of forcing on a muzzle or handling a panicked dog.
Everything we’ve talked about so far — crates, gates, muzzles, safe spaces — they’re not isolated tips. They’re management tools you can use in lots of situations to keep everyone safe and reduce stress for both you and your dog.
Tip 8: Travel
Travelling with your dog to visit family this Christmas? Then it’s worth thinking ahead and applying the earlier tips to a new environment.
Ask yourself:
Will my dog have a safe space to escape the chaos if they need it?• Will family or friends understand and respect my dog’s boundaries?• What can I bring to help keep things calm and comfortable for my dog — and less stressful for everyone else?
Things worth packing:• Crate (or travel crate)• Bedding that smells like home• Muzzle (in case of emergencies)• Collar with an ID tag• Baby gate if you can fit one — bonus points• Long-lasting chews or enrichment• Lead + backup lead• Any meds or calming aids your dog uses
It can really help to let friends and family know your dog’s needs before you arrive, and to explain what helps them settle. That way, everyone feels prepared and supportive rather than surprised.
And remember — you’re visiting their home, so taking the lead on managing your dog’s comfort shows consideration for both your dog and your hosts. A bit of proactive planning goes a long way toward a relaxed, happy visit for everyone.#valsk9training #preventingdogbites #Christmas #kidsanddogs
Tip 9: Escapes
While we’re on the topic of travel, it’s a good time to talk about lost or escaped dogs — something that sadly peaks around Christmas and New Year.
Even if you’re not travelling, the risk can increase:
• Guests coming and going = doors constantly opening• Kids forgetting to shut gates• People distracted during celebrations• Fireworks around New Year startling nervous dogs
And if you are travelling, service stations are a major escape hotspot — one moment the car door opens, and an excited or anxious dog can leap out before you’re ready.
So here are some simple, sensible precautions:
• Secure collar on your dog at all times until every door is locked for the night• The collar must have an up-to-date ID tag — it’s the law under the Dog Control order 1992• Walk your dog during daylight when possible• For evening walks, make sure the collar fits snugly; use a double attachment (collar + harness) if your dog is anxious or spooks easily• Consider a GPS tracker for added peace of mindWe use Tractive — here’s a link for 30% off:https://tractive.com/r/R4y2qD• Check your garden boundaries for gaps, weak fencing, or places a spooked dog might dig under or climb over
A few small precautions now can prevent a heartbreaking situation later.
#valsk9training #Christmas #preventingdogbites #escapeddogs #collarandIDtag
Tip 10: House Leads
Sometimes crates don’t work., Baby gates don’t work. And muzzles aren’t always the right option in every moment.
That’s where a house lead can be a really useful in-between.
For dogs who desperately want to be part of what’s going on, but struggle to regulate themselves, a house lead allows them to stay involved without becoming the eye of the storm.
Clip the lead on and hold it during calmer parts of the day, when you’re able to focus on your dog a little more. For example, during board games or quiet family time, you can help your dog settle by your side while still feeling included.
A house lead isn’t a magic fix. Used at the wrong time — during peak chaos — it can cause frustration or get chewed. It works best when the environment is already calmer and your dog is being set up to succeed.
Think of it as a bridge: • Time out of the crate or safe room• Onto the house lead• Back into family time, in a controlled and supported way
If you’re unsure how your dog might cope up close, combining a muzzle + house lead during short interactions can give everyone peace of mind while keeping your dog’s stress levels lower.
Like everything in this series, it’s not about control — it’s about management, safety, and helping your dog cope.#valsk9training #dogbiteprevention #Christmas #DogSafety
Tip 11: Days off
You’ve made it to Christmas. There’s been a lot going on — family walks, guests coming and going, busy days on either side of the big day itself.
It’s a lot.And your dog feels it too.
For many dogs, this level of activity is pure sensory overload. Even things they normally enjoy — like walks — can start to feel like another demand rather than a release.
Giving your dog a couple of days off from walks or from being in the middle of everything can be a real gift. Time to rest, switch off, and recover.
For example- When we visit family, my own dogs often get a day or two off from the world. We stay home, keep things quiet, and do little more than cuddle, nap, and recharge.
It can take dogs up to three days to fully decompress after busy or stressful periods. That downtime matters.
They don’t need constant stimulation.They don’t need to be involved in everything.
A toilet break in the garden or just outside the house is often plenty during this time. And yes — they will be absolutely fine.
Calm, rest, and space are sometimes the kindest gifts you can give.
Stay cool, calm, and collected #valsk9training #preventingdogbites #Christmas #AODN
Tip 12: Expectations
Lower them.
Most of us get a dog as a companion, and with that comes a vision — a dog who’s with us for all our important life moments and everything in between.
We imagine taking them to pubs, busy parks, family gatherings.
We expect them to tolerate unknown hands touching them, random dogs running up to them, noisy environments… all without complaint.
And when they do say no?
They’re corrected, labelled “reactive”, or pushed to cope just a bit more.
The reality is, while we absolutely love our dogs, we often expect a lot from them — and they don’t always get a say.
I’ve learned this lesson through every one of my dogs.
Bailey — I wanted her to be a social butterfly. A dog I could take everywhere and do everything with.
But she was shy and uncomfortable in big crowds. I had to adjust my expectations to match who she was, not who I wanted her to be.
Rollo — again, I hoped he’d be sociable and up for doing “cool stuff”.
In reality, he doesn’t like people. He’s fine with polite dogs, and he can come to the pub… as long as nobody talks to him.
And then there’s Hazel — the actual social butterfly. The dog I can do all of the above with.
But she’s a bull in a china shop when she gets excited, so even then, my job is to support her and stop her flattening everyone like bowling pins
Every dog is different.
Adapt your expectations to the dog in front of you — not what society says a dog should be.
That’s where real companionship lives.
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