Dog Friendly Holiday Traditions: 15 Ideas to Start With Your Dog This Year
Dog Friendly Holiday Traditions: 15 Ideas to Start With Your Dog This Year
Traditions are what make the holidays feel like the holidays. For dog moms and dads, the best ones include the dog. A stocking with its name on it, a walk to see the neighborhood lights, a new bandana for the yearly photo. Over time, these small moments become some of the happiest memories you share with your dog.
This guide lists 15 dog friendly holiday traditions you can start this year, with tips to keep each one safe and stress free. Some take five minutes, some take an afternoon. Pick a few that fit your family and your dog's personality, and build from there.
We have grouped the ideas into treats and gifts, outings, keepsakes, cozy nights in and giving back. You will also find a short safety checklist at the end, because the holidays bring more food, decorations and visitors than any other time of year.
Why start holiday traditions with your dog?
Traditions give the season a rhythm. Doing the same fun things each year gives everyone something to look forward to. For dogs, predictable routines and positive experiences also help them feel calm during a busy, noisy time of year. A dog that knows the holiday light walk means sniffing and treats will happily join in again next year.
They help the whole family bond with the dog. Kids, partners, grandparents and roommates all get a chance to spend time with the dog in a fun, structured way. Simple traditions like baking dog cookies together or hanging the dog's stocking give everyone a role.
They create memories that last. Dogs are with us for a short time, and the holidays are a natural moment to stop and celebrate them. Yearly photos, paw prints and small rituals become a record of your dog's life. Many dog parents say these are the memories they treasure most.
They do not have to cost much. The best dog traditions are about time and attention, not spending. A walk, a game, a cuddle on the couch and a small treat are all your dog really wants. You can add gifts and outfits if you like, but they are a bonus, not a requirement.
How do I make a dog advent calendar?
Tradition 1: a dog advent calendar. Counting down to Christmas with a small treat each day is a fun daily ritual. You can buy a dog advent calendar or make your own with 24 small bags, envelopes or a muffin tin with paper covers. Fill each one with a single small treat or a piece of kibble.
Keep the treats tiny and safe. Use plain dog treats your dog already knows and tolerates, broken into small pieces. Do not use human chocolate advent calendars or anything with chocolate, xylitol, raisins or macadamia nuts. Store the calendar up high, because dogs can sniff out treats and tear a cardboard calendar open in seconds.
Mix in non food surprises. Some days can hold a new trick to learn, a short game, a sniff walk somewhere new or a few minutes of brushing and cuddles. This keeps calories down and adds variety. Write the activity on a slip of paper for those days.
Make it a family moment. Let a different family member open the calendar each day, ask the dog for a sit or a trick, and hand over the surprise. It becomes a fun part of the morning routine and a gentle daily training session.
What should I put in my dog's Christmas stocking?
Tradition 2: a stocking with your dog's name. A personalized stocking hung next to the family's makes your dog part of the Christmas morning fun. Hang it high enough that your dog cannot pull it down, especially if it has treats inside.
Fill it with a few useful, safe gifts. Good ideas include a new durable toy, a long lasting chew sized for your dog, a festive bandana, a new collar or ID tag, a lick mat or a puzzle feeder. Three or four items is plenty. Our list of Christmas gifts for dogs has more ideas.
Skip risky items. Avoid rawhide, cooked bones, toys with small parts that can be chewed off and anything with string or ribbon. Remove tags, plastic and packaging before your dog gets the gift. Match chew sizes to your dog's mouth so it cannot swallow them whole.
Let your dog unwrap safely. Many dogs love tearing paper. If you want to wrap gifts, use plain paper with no ribbon, tape kept to a minimum and no plastic. Supervise and pick up the scraps right away, because swallowed paper, ribbon and tape can cause stomach upsets or blockages.
What holiday outings can I enjoy with my dog?
Tradition 3: a holiday lights walk. Pick an evening each December to walk your dog through the neighborhood to see the lights. It is free, festive and gives your dog lots of new smells. Use a reflective collar or leash and a light, and our guide to walking your dog in the dark has more safety tips.
Tradition 4: a pet friendly tree farm visit. Many tree farms allow leashed dogs. Call ahead to check, bring water and poop bags, and keep your dog away from saws and netting machines. Once the tree is home, anchor it well and keep water additives out of reach.
Tradition 5: a photo with Santa Paws. Many pet stores and shelters host pet photo days in December, often as fundraisers. Go early when it is quiet, bring treats and be ready to leave if your dog seems nervous. A happy photo next to Santa is great, but a calm dog matters more.
Tradition 6: a New Year's Day walk or hike. Start the year with a long walk with your dog. It is a calm, healthy reset after the busy holidays and a great time to set goals for the year ahead. Check the weather and our cold weather walking guide before heading out.
How do I make a paw print keepsake safely?
Tradition 7: a yearly paw print. A paw print each December is a lovely way to see how your dog changes over the years. Use a pet safe ink pad or a paw print kit made for dogs, and press your dog's paw gently onto card stock. Wipe the paw clean right after.
Avoid salt dough. Homemade salt dough ornaments are popular, but they contain a lot of salt and can cause salt poisoning if a dog eats them, even after baking. Choose air dry clay kits made for pet prints, and hang finished ornaments high on the tree, out of reach.
Tradition 8: a yearly photo in the same spot. Take a photo of your dog in the same place each year, such as by the tree or on the front step. Add a new holiday bandana each year for a fun theme. Side by side, these photos tell your dog's story.
Tradition 9: a dog year in review. At the end of December, write a short note about your dog's year. Favorite walks, new tricks, funny moments, vet visits and milestones. Keep the notes with the photos in a memory box or album. It takes ten minutes and becomes priceless over time.
Can I bake holiday treats with my dog?
Tradition 10: a dog treat baking day. Bake a batch of simple dog cookies with ingredients like plain pumpkin, oats and xylitol free peanut butter. Kids love helping, and your dog will love taste testing. Our homemade Christmas dog treats guide has six easy recipes.
Keep the kitchen safe. Keep your dog out from under your feet with a gate or a stuffed toy on its bed. Never let your dog lick raw dough, because yeast dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol. Keep human baking ingredients like chocolate chips, raisins, nutmeg and xylitol far away.
Share and gift your treats. Bag up extra dog cookies with a ribbon and a label for friends with dogs, your dog walker or the neighbors. Add a simple ingredient list so other dog parents know what is inside in case of allergies.
Watch the total. Homemade treats are still treats. Give small pieces and keep treats to about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. Store extras in the fridge or freezer so they last through the season.
What are cozy holiday traditions to do at home?
Tradition 11: a holiday movie night. Pick a cold evening, put on a favorite holiday film, wrap up in a blanket and give your dog a lick mat with a little plain yogurt or pumpkin. It is a calm, simple tradition that most dogs adore.
Tradition 12: Christmas Eve pajamas. Many families open new pajamas on Christmas Eve. Add a matching bandana for your dog for a fun family photo. Our guide to matching holiday outfits explains sizing and comfort.
Tradition 13: a Christmas morning sniff hunt. Hide a few treats or a new toy around one room and let your dog search for them while you open gifts. It keeps your dog busy and happy and helps keep it away from wrapping paper and ribbon.
Keep quiet time too. Not every tradition needs to be busy. A long snuggle on the couch, a slow brush and a peaceful nap together are some of the best moments of the season. Give your dog a quiet place to rest on busy days, especially if you have visitors.
How can my dog and I give back over the holidays?
Tradition 14: a shelter donation drive. Animal shelters often have a wish list of blankets, towels, food, treats and toys. Collect items with your family or friends and drop them off together. Many shelters also accept used blankets and towels in good condition.
Tradition 15: volunteer or foster. Some shelters need volunteers to walk dogs over the holidays when regular helpers travel. Others run short term holiday foster programs. Our guide to fostering a dog over the holidays explains how it works.
Share the love with dog friends. Drop dog safe treats to neighbors' dogs, leave a thank you card and a small gift for your dog walker or groomer, or organize a group holiday walk with dog friends. Small gestures make the season feel warmer for everyone.
Keep your own dog's needs in mind. If your dog is shy, reactive or not great with other dogs, choose giving back traditions that do not involve your dog directly, like a donation drive. The spirit of the tradition matters more than bringing your dog along.
How do I keep holiday traditions safe for my dog?
Keep risky foods out of reach. Chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, fatty meats and cooked bones are all dangerous for dogs. Keep human treats, advent calendars and cookie plates up high and tell guests not to share. Our holiday foods guide has the full list.
Dog proof decorations. Anchor the tree, hang breakable and edible ornaments high, keep tinsel, ribbon and string away from dogs and cover cords. Some holiday plants like lilies, holly and mistletoe are toxic. See our guide to holiday plants toxic to dogs.
Watch for stress. New routines, visitors and outings can be a lot for some dogs. Signs like yawning, lip licking, hiding and pacing mean your dog needs a break. Keep a quiet room ready and do not push your dog into traditions it does not enjoy.
Keep emergency numbers handy. Save your vet, the nearest emergency vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426 4435 and the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764 7661 in your phone before the busy season starts.
What New Year traditions can I start with my dog?
A New Year's Eve plan that suits your dog. For many dogs, fireworks are the scariest part of the holidays. Make a tradition of a long afternoon walk, an early dinner and a cozy, quiet room with music and a chew before the noise starts. Our guide to New Year's Eve fireworks and dogs has a full plan.
A New Year's Day dog goal. Each January 1, choose one goal for your dog's year. It could be learning a new trick, walking a new trail each month, brushing teeth more often or losing a little holiday weight. Write it down with the date and check in at the end of the year. Our New Year's resolutions guide has plenty of ideas.
A yearly health check in. Use the quiet days between Christmas and New Year to book your dog's annual checkup, update its microchip details and check that its ID tag still has the right phone number. It is not the most exciting tradition, but it is one of the most useful. Our year end health checklist makes it easy.
A first walk of the year photo. Take a photo of your dog on the first walk of every new year, in the same spot if you can. Pair it with your yearly holiday photo for a simple record of each year together. Over time, these two photos become a lovely way to see how your dog has grown and changed.
How do I pick the right traditions for my dog?
Match traditions to your dog's personality. Social, confident dogs may love Santa photos and group walks. Shy dogs may prefer a quiet sniff hunt and a cozy movie night. Senior dogs may enjoy short, gentle outings and lots of rest. Puppies need short, positive experiences that support their socialization.
Start small. Pick two or three traditions this year rather than trying all 15. If they work well, keep them and add one new idea next year. Traditions are meant to make the season easier and happier, not to add stress to your schedule.
Write them down. Add your dog traditions to the family calendar with dates, such as advent from December 1, lights walk on the second Saturday, baking day the week before Christmas. This makes them easy to remember and helps everyone plan.
Adapt as your dog ages. A lights walk might become a short stroll and a car ride for a senior dog. A tree farm visit might become a photo by your own tree. What matters is that your dog is included, comfortable and loved.
- Small and simple wins. A tradition you can repeat every year beats a big one off.
- Make treats count. Use small, dog safe treats and cut back on meals to match.
- Safety comes first. No salt dough, ribbon, tinsel or chocolate within reach.
- Include the whole family, from kids to grandparents to the dog.
- Give back together. Shelters need help most in December.
Small traditions, big memories
The best holiday traditions with your dog are simple, safe and repeated year after year. Pick two or three ideas that fit your dog, keep treats small and decorations out of reach, and make time for quiet moments together. In a few years, those small rituals will be some of your favorite memories.
From all of us at Happy Yay, happy holidays to you and your dog. We hope this is the start of many happy traditions.
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Frequently asked questions
What are good holiday traditions with dogs?
Popular ideas include a dog advent calendar, a personalized stocking, a holiday lights walk, a yearly photo in a new bandana, a paw print keepsake, baking dog treats, a cozy movie night and a shelter donation drive.
Are dog advent calendars safe?
Yes, if they use dog safe treats and are kept out of reach. Never use a human chocolate advent calendar. Use small pieces and reduce meals slightly to balance the extra calories.
What should I put in my dog's stocking?
A durable toy, a chew sized for your dog, a festive bandana, a new ID tag or collar, a lick mat or a puzzle feeder. Avoid rawhide, cooked bones and toys with small parts.
Are salt dough ornaments safe for dogs?
No. Salt dough contains a lot of salt and can cause salt poisoning if eaten, even after baking. Use pet safe ink pads or air dry clay kits and hang ornaments out of reach.
Can my dog open presents?
Many dogs enjoy it. Use plain paper with no ribbon or plastic, supervise closely and pick up scraps right away. Swallowed paper, tape and ribbon can cause stomach problems.
Can I take my dog to see Santa?
Yes, if your dog is relaxed around new people and places. Go early when it is quiet, bring treats and be ready to leave if your dog seems nervous. Many pet stores and shelters host these events.
How do I include my dog in Christmas morning?
Give your dog its stocking, set up a sniff hunt with hidden treats while you open gifts, and offer a chew on its bed. Keep wrapping paper and ribbon picked up as you go.
What holiday traditions work for senior dogs?
Gentle ones like a short lights stroll, a cozy movie night with a lick mat, a yearly photo by the tree and a slow brushing session. Keep outings short and give plenty of rest.
How can I give back with my dog at Christmas?
Run a shelter donation drive for blankets, towels, food and toys, volunteer to walk shelter dogs or try short term holiday fostering. Check each shelter's wish list first.
How many treats can my dog have over the holidays?
Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. Use tiny pieces, swap some kibble for treats and keep an eye on your dog's weight through the season.