24/12/2025
Christmas is the season of celebration, turkey, mulled wine, presents and… dog bites. Yes, Christmas Day is one of the worst times of the year for dog bites, and most of them could’ve been prevented.
With houses filling up with decorations, friends and family members, other dogs, delicious food and fun new presents, they often turn in a mixing pot of trouble just waiting to happen.
I’m not trying to be the Grinch that ruined Christmas, but the reality is that incidents are going to happen. Read on to learn how to prevent them.
1. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE AND EXPECTATIONS.
Has your dog always been a friendly, gentle soul who would never hurt a fly? Do you often hear yourself saying, “Oh, they’ll be fine” or “Oh they won’t mind, do whatever you want to them”, in regard to your dog?
These are the exact dogs that get referred to behaviourists in the new year because “they just bit me out of nowhere!”
These are the dogs whose tolerance and friendly, gentle nature was taken for granted. All dogs have a tolerance threshold, and while some may be higher than others, they fluctuate depending on what is happening around them and how they are feeling.
At a busy time of year such as Christmas, these thresholds are lower than usual. Your dog is dealing with a lot of change and chaos, so give them some leeway, and don’t expect them to be as tolerant as they usually are, because this might be the day they finally say “No!”
2. NO FACES NEAR FACES
Many bites happen because someone put their face right up next to their dog’s face. In the dog world, this type of head-on, close up contact can be quite threatening, and if the dog is unable to escape (such as being on a lead or boxed into a corner) they might feel they have no choice but to snap or bite in order to protect their space, even more so if subtle body language has been ignored.
Children are particularly at risk of face bites. They are often at face level with the dog, and don’t have the same sensitivity to proximity that adults (or dogs) possess. They are also worse at reading dog body language than adults, and will often mistake a dog’s bared teeth for a smile.
Watch out for these subtle signs that your dog is not comfortable with an interaction, and immediately remove yourself, another person or child, or the dog themselves, before it escalates:
- Turning their head away
- Lip licking
- Yawning
- Ears pulled back
- Tense face
- Closed mouth
- Whale eye (where the whites of their eyes are visible)
The best cure is prevention, so drill it into everyone, especially children, not to put their face next to the dog’s!
3. INTERACTIONS SHOULD BE CONSENSUAL
No means no, even when it comes to your dog. How would you feel if a giant suddenly appeared and picked you up off the ground, and smushed you against their face? Of if someone you didn't really know walked into your bedroom, jumped into bed with you, and started trying to cuddle you?
That's what many dogs experience frequently, and not just at Christmas. Learn to ask for consent from your dog before interacting with them.
- Invite the dog to come over to you. If they do, great! If they don't, it means they are happy where they are, and don't feel like interacting with you.
- Don't hold onto their collar, lean over them or block them in. If they wish to leave, they should be able to easily.
- Use the '3 second rule' for interactions. Fuss them for 3 seconds, and then stop. If the dog moves away or doesn't show any more interest, end the interaction. If they look at you, nudge you or lean into you, feel free to continue.
- Watch out for signs they are unhappy, as mentioned above. Stop the interaction immediately if these are seen.
If you are visiting with friends or family, you need to be your dog's spokesperson. Teach everyone, especially children, how to ask dogs for consent, and be prepared to say "Sorry, he doesn't feel like being stroked right now, maybe later".
4. STOP PULLING YOUR DOG AROUND BY THEIR COLLAR
I can't count the number of times I've seen dogs being grabbed by their collar and pulled around. The neck is a highly sensitive part of the body, and contains very delicate and important structures that can be damaged when a collar is pulled tight.
It is your job to learn to communicate with your dog about where you want them to go, or where they're allowed to be. The easiest way to stop them getting somewhere you don't want them is barriers, such as puppy pens or baby gates. To move them from one area to another, use a recall command, or toss a treat for them to follow. You can also attach a house line to them, which can help you to move them without having to grab at their neck.
A dog who is constantly being grabbed and pulled may, when their tolerance threshold is lowered at times such as Christmas, feel like that they have no other choice but to bite in order to protect themselves.
5. LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
Christmas is a busy time, with lots of people, activities and changing of routines, all of which can affect your dog's sleep schedule.
Tired dogs can become grumpy dogs, and grumpy dogs have a lower threshold. Give your dog a nice comfy place such as a pen or crate where they can go to sleep in peace. Cover it with thick blankets to make it nice and cosy, and keep their food and water nearby so they don't have to leave their safe space to access it.
Make sure all visitors (including children and other dogs!), are not allowed to disturb your dog while they are resting.
6. RESOURCE GUARDING IS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR
To an extent!
You've got a plate of roast turkey and all the trimmings in front of you, or a brand new Rolex watch from Uncle Bob. Suddenly someone reaches out their hand and snatches it from you. You will probably be a little bit peeved, and may express your displeasure in the form of some choice curse words.
But if someone politely asks to try one bite of your pig in blanket, or have a quick look at your Rolex, you'll be much more likely to hand it over.
It's much the same with dogs, forcefully take something off them, and they're more likely to use resource guarding behaviours again in the future.
If your dog gets hold of some wrapping paper, let them rip it up, it'll be thrown away anyway and it might keep them occupied for a few minutes. Any objects of concern can be traded for a high value treat or toy.
Make sure everyone knows to leave your dog alone while they're eating or chewing, and if there are any concerns about resource guarding behaviour around your meals or present opening, give your dog something enjoyable to do away from everyone else.
7. STOP TELLING YOUR DOG OFF
One of the most common things seen in an aggressive behaviour case is a history of punishment. There are more obvious punishments, such as smacking or prong collars, but it is the seemingly less harmful, but much more common one, that causes just as many problems. Shouting.
Many people think shouting at their dog will stop them doing whatever it is they don't like, but most of the time it ends up a chaotic spiral with the humans shouting louder and louder, and the dog getting more and more stressed because they don't understand what is being asked of them.
If you've not spent time teaching your dog what you want them to do, then it's not very fair to tell them off for something you perceive as wrong.
Manage their environment instead; if you want your dog to occupy themself for a bit, give them some enrichment. If your dog is barking out the window, close the curtains. Make use of barriers if you want your dog to stay in particular location.
And if it's getting a bit stressful this Christmas, take a few deep breaths and picture a zen garden in your head!
8. BE PROACTIVE
All of the above is easily achievable, but only if you take steps now. It's too late when you're in A&E on Boxing Day with a bite wound.
- Communicate guidance and rules to guests in advance
- Manage the environment and consider using barriers if you cannot supervise or trust someone else to
- Supervise all interactions, and watch out for signs you're dog is not happy
- If in doubt, get them out. Ask the human involved to adjust their behaviour - if you have time to. Recalling the dog away is often the easiest and quickest solution.
Christmas can be a chaotic time, but follow the guidance above, and everyone, human and dog alike, can have a good time.
