05/24/2026
You wouldnât take a brand new love interest to a giant family reunion on your second date.
Please donât take your newly adopted dog to crowded holiday gatherings.
Memorial Day weekend means cookouts, kids running, unfamiliar dogs, loud noises, people wanting to pet them, and constant social pressure. Thatâs a LOT for a dog who is still trying to figure out who you are and whether the world feels safe.
If your dog already struggles with strangers or social situations, flooding them with âmore exposureâ usually doesnât make them more comfortable. It often makes them more worried, more defensive, and more convinced that people are overwhelming.
Confidence is built through thoughtful, positive experiences. NOT survival mode.
Your dog does not need to attend every party to be a good dog. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is let them stay home, relax, and continue settling into their new life at their own pace.