Quick answer: Most dogs are a mix of naughty and nice at the holidays, and that's normal. Holiday mischief like jumping on guests, counter surfing, chewing ornaments, unwrapping gifts and barking at the doorbell usually comes from excitement, boredom or a change in routine, not bad behavior. The fixes are simple: manage the environment with gates and clear counters, give your dog a job like going to their bed, reward calm behavior generously, add extra exercise and brain games, and keep routines as steady as possible. Take our quiz to see where your dog lands.

Answer for a typical holiday week. Score 2 points for answer A, 1 for B and 0 for C, then add up your total out of 20.

1. When guests arrive, your dog...
   A. Waits politely for a hello
   B. Bounces around for a minute, then settles
   C. Jumps all over everyone, every time
2. The Christmas tree is...
   A. Ignored completely
   B. Sniffed with great interest
   C. A personal chew toy and water bowl
3. Food left on the counter...
   A. Is safe, your dog would never
   B. Gets a hopeful stare
   C. Vanishes the moment you turn around
4. During present opening, your dog...
   A. Watches calmly from their bed
   B. Joins in with a little paper tugging
   C. Shreds every box and ribbon they can reach
5. When the doorbell rings...
   A. A bark or two, then quiet
   B. Barks until you get there
   C. Full alarm mode for ten minutes
6. At the dinner table...
   A. Lies down out of the way
   B. Sits nearby with soulful eyes
   C. Paws, whines and steals from plates
7. On walks past holiday decorations...
   A. Walks nicely on a loose leash
   B. Pulls a little toward new smells
   C. Lunges at every inflatable Santa
8. When you say leave it...
   A. Leaves it instantly
   B. Leaves it, eventually
   C. Leave what?
9. Ornaments, ribbons and socks...
   A. Are never touched
   B. Occasionally go missing
   C. Are prized trophies under the couch
10. At bedtime on Christmas Eve...
    A. Settles quickly in their spot
    B. Needs a little extra cuddling
    C. Is wide awake and ready to party

What your score means

16 to 20: Officially on the Nice List. Your dog has holiday manners most families dream of. Keep rewarding the good stuff so it sticks, and enjoy a calm, cozy season together.

10 to 15: Nice, with a side of mischief. Your dog is mostly an angel with a few festive slip-ups. Look at the questions where you picked B or C. One or two small changes, like a baby gate or a go-to-your-bed cue, can make a big difference.

0 to 9: Lovable little rascal. Your dog is having the time of their life. That's not a character flaw, it's usually excitement, boredom or a routine shake-up. The fixes below will help, and every dog can move up the list with patience and treats.

What each quiz question tells you

Every question in the quiz points to a common holiday habit, and each one has a simple fix.

• Guests arriving. Tests greeting manners. Jumpers do best with a leash, a sit and a handful of treats at the door.
• The tree. Tests curiosity and impulse control. Management beats willpower here.
• Food on the counter. Tests impulse control and how often grabbing has paid off before.
• Present opening. Tests excitement levels and how tempting paper and boxes are.
• The doorbell. Tests alert barking. Every delivery is a chance to practice a calmer routine.
• The dinner table. Tests begging habits, usually learned from generous humans.
• Walks past decorations. Tests leash manners and how your dog copes with strange new objects like giant inflatables.
• Leave it. Tests one of the most useful safety cues of the season.
• Ornaments and socks. Tests collecting and chewing habits, often driven by boredom.
• Christmas Eve bedtime. Tests how well your dog settles after an exciting day.

Pick the one or two questions where your dog scored lowest and start there. Small, focused changes are easier to stick with than a full holiday makeover.

Why dogs get naughty at the holidays

Before we get to fixes, it helps to understand the why. Most holiday mischief has a simple cause, and none of them is spite.

• Excitement. Visitors, new smells and a buzzing house can push dogs over their threshold, making it hard to think.
• Opportunity. Food on low tables, gifts on the floor and a tree full of dangling toys. Dogs do what works.
• Routine changes. Late nights, skipped walks and irregular meals can leave dogs restless.
• Boredom. Busy humans mean less play and fewer walks.
• Stress. Some dogs find holiday noise and crowds overwhelming. Barking, chewing and clinginess can be signs. See holiday stress in dogs.

The fix for almost every holiday behavior combines three things: manage the environment, give your dog something better to do and reward the behavior you want.

Naughty: counter surfing and food stealing

Holiday kitchens are a buffet at dog height. Counter surfing is self-rewarding, so every successful grab makes the next one more likely.

• Manage first. Keep counters clear and push food to the back. Use a baby gate to keep your dog out of the kitchen while you cook.
• Teach a place cue. Reward your dog for lying on a mat just outside the kitchen. Toss treats to the mat while you cook.
• Reward four on the floor. Calmly reward your dog whenever they're standing or sitting near the kitchen with all paws on the ground.
• Give a kitchen chew. A long-lasting chew or stuffed toy on their mat keeps them busy.
• Know the dangers. Many holiday foods are toxic. Keep our holiday foods guide handy.

Naughty: jumping on guests

Jumping is usually an enthusiastic hello. Dogs jump because it gets attention, so the fix is to make polite greetings more rewarding than jumping.

• Prepare before the doorbell. Put your dog on a leash or behind a gate when guests arrive.
• Ask for a sit. Reward sits generously. Guests can say hi when all four paws are down.
• Coach your guests. Ask them to turn away calmly if your dog jumps, then greet once your dog settles.
• Scatter treats. Tossing a handful of treats on the floor as guests walk in keeps noses down and paws on the ground.
• Let them settle. Give your dog a few minutes to calm down before letting them mingle.

Our holiday guests guide has a full plan for busy households.

Naughty: tree trouble

The tree is basically a giant, glittering toy box. A few changes make it much less tempting.

• Anchor the tree. So it can't tip if your dog bumps or tugs it.
• Hang ornaments high. Keep the bottom third simple, or decorate with soft, unbreakable ornaments.
• Skip tinsel and edible decorations. Tinsel can cause dangerous blockages, and candy canes and popcorn strings are irresistible.
• Cover the water. Tree water can contain fertilizer and bacteria.
• Use a gate or pen. A decorative pen around the tree works well for puppies.

Read our full Christmas tree safety guide.

Naughty: unwrapping gifts early

Dogs can smell treats and food through wrapping paper, and some just love the sound of tearing paper. Keep gifts off the floor until the big day, especially anything containing food, chocolate or batteries.

On Christmas morning, give your dog their own easy-to-unwrap present, like a toy in a paper bag or a cardboard box with treats inside. Supervise closely and pick up ribbons, tape and packaging as you go. Our Christmas morning guide walks through a calm, safe present-opening plan.

If your dog has already shredded a package, check what was inside. Chocolate, batteries, medications and small toy parts all need a quick call to your vet.

Naughty: barking at the doorbell and deliveries

The holiday season brings a constant stream of packages and visitors. For many dogs, every knock is a five-alarm event.

• Thank and redirect. Say thanks in a calm voice, then call your dog to you for a treat.
• Teach a go-to-bed cue. Practice ringing the doorbell yourself and rewarding your dog for heading to their bed.
• Reduce triggers. Use a doorbell camera notification instead of a chime, or ask delivery drivers to leave packages without knocking.
• Block the view. Window film or closed blinds can calm dogs who bark at passersby.

For a full plan, see holiday deliveries and doorbell barking.

Naughty: begging at the table

Holiday meals are long and delicious, and dogs notice. Begging is learned, usually because someone, somewhere, shared a bite.

• Agree on a no-feeding rule. Everyone, including guests and kids.
• Give a mealtime job. A stuffed toy or chew on their bed during dinner.
• Use a gate. For dogs who can't resist, a gate or a quiet room during meals is kindest.
• Reward calm. Drop a treat on their bed when they're lying quietly.

Our stop begging guide explains why ignoring begging works and what to expect at first.

Naughty: ornament, sock and toy thieves

Some dogs collect things. Stockings, socks, kids' toys and ornaments all disappear under the couch. This is often attention seeking or boredom, and sometimes it's a game of chase.

Don't chase your dog. Instead, teach a trade: offer a high-value treat in exchange for the item, then praise. Practice drop it with toys during calm moments. Keep tempting items out of reach and give your dog plenty of their own chew toys. If your dog swallows something like an ornament hook, a sock or tinsel, call your vet right away.

• Trade, don't chase. Offer a high-value treat in exchange for the stolen item, then praise. Chasing turns stealing into the best game ever.
• Practice drop it. Use toys during calm moments so the cue works when it matters.
• Tidy up. Keep stockings, socks, kids' toys and wrapping supplies off the floor.
• Provide legal loot. A basket of your dog's own toys gives collectors something to carry.
• Add more enrichment. Bored dogs steal more. Sniff walks and puzzle toys help.

If your dog swallows something like an ornament hook, a sock or tinsel, call your vet right away. Don't try to make them vomit unless a vet tells you to.

A 7-day holiday manners bootcamp

Have a week before the big gatherings? Try this simple plan. Each day takes 10 to 15 minutes, split into two or three short sessions.

• Day 1: Place. Teach your dog to go to a mat or bed. Reward every time they step on it, then for lying down.
• Day 2: Doorbell practice. Ring the bell or knock yourself, then reward your dog for going to their place.
• Day 3: Leave it. Start with a treat in a closed hand. Reward when your dog backs off. Build up to treats on the floor.
• Day 4: Polite greetings. Have a family member come in the door. Reward four paws on the floor and sits.
• Day 5: Mealtime manners. Give your dog a chew on their mat during dinner. Reward calm.
• Day 6: Tree time. Walk your dog past the tree on leash and reward them for ignoring it.
• Day 7: Dress rehearsal. Invite a friend over and practice everything together. Keep it fun and short.

Use small, soft, high-value treats and end every session on a success. Our 30-day training plan builds on these skills in the new year, and the training glossary explains terms like place and leave it.

Holiday mischief by life stage

Puppies, adult dogs and seniors tend to get into different kinds of trouble. Here's what to expect.

• Puppies. Chewing, nipping and accidents top the list. Puppies need lots of naps, a safe pen and close supervision. See getting a puppy for Christmas.
• Adolescent dogs (6 to 18 months). Big energy, selective hearing and boundary testing. Extra exercise and brain games are your best friends.
• New rescues. May be nervous or overexcited in a busy house. Keep gatherings small and give them a quiet space. See bringing home a rescue dog.
• Adult dogs. Usually settled, but routine changes can bring out begging or barking.
• Senior dogs. Rarely naughty, but may be grumpy if sore or overwhelmed. Comfort and quiet come first.

Naughty: pulling and lunging at holiday decorations

Giant inflatable snowmen, flashing lights and singing reindeer can look strange or even scary to dogs. Pulling, barking and lunging at decorations are often signs of excitement or worry, not naughtiness.

• Give them distance. Cross the street or walk a different route if a display seems to upset your dog.
• Let them look and sniff. Calmly allowing your dog to investigate from a comfortable distance helps them learn it's harmless.
• Reward calm looking. Mark and treat when your dog looks at a decoration and stays relaxed.
• Use the right gear. A front-clip harness can reduce pulling. See harness vs. collar.
• Light up your walk. Reflective gear and a light-up collar help on dark evenings.

For more winter walking tips, see winter walks with your dog and holiday lights walks and markets.

Naughty: too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve

After a day of visitors, smells and sneaky snacks, some dogs are simply too wired to sleep. A calm wind-down routine helps their brains switch off.

Start an hour before bed with a gentle sniff walk, followed by a quiet chew or lick mat in their bed. Dim the lights, turn down the music and keep voices soft. A final potty break, a few minutes of calm stroking and their usual bedtime cue help signal that the party's over.

If your dog is restless night after night, look at their day. Too little exercise, too much excitement late in the evening or rich food can all disrupt sleep. Our dog sleeping positions guide explains what normal, relaxed sleep looks like.

How to keep the nice list behaviors going

The secret to a nice dog is noticing nice behavior. We often ignore our dogs when they're being good and pay attention only when they're naughty. Flip that around this season.

• Catch them being good. Reward calm lying down, polite greetings and quiet moments with a treat or praise.
• Keep routines steady. Regular walks, meals and bedtime help dogs feel secure.
• Add brain games. Ten minutes of sniffing or a puzzle toy can tire a dog as much as a long walk. See brain games for dogs.
• Create a quiet retreat. A comfy bed in a calm room for when the house gets loud.
• Exercise before events. A long walk before guests arrive works wonders.

House rules card for guests

Guests mean well, but they don't know your dog's rules. A few clear, friendly rules help everyone keep your dog on the nice list. Share these when guests arrive, or print them on a card by the door:

• Please don't feed the dog. Many holiday foods are toxic, and begging habits form fast.
• Close doors and gates behind you. Some dogs are quick escape artists.
• Greet calmly. Wait until all four paws are on the floor.
• Let sleeping dogs lie. The dog's bed is a no-disturb zone.
• Keep bags zipped and off the floor. Gum, medications and snacks are tempting.
• Ask before giving treats or toys. We'll happily hand you dog-safe ones.

Kids especially love having a job, so let them be the official guardians of the rules. Our kids and dogs over winter break guide has more family tips.

Staying nice when visiting others

Taking your dog to someone else's home for the holidays adds a whole new set of temptations: unfamiliar trees, other pets, new food routines and hosts with different rules.

Bring your dog's bed, bowls, favorite chews and a portable gate, so they have a familiar spot. Ask your host about house rules, other pets and any no-go rooms before you arrive. Walk your dog when you get there so they can sniff and settle.

Keep your dog on leash for the first few minutes indoors, and supervise around food, gifts and the tree. If your dog gets overwhelmed, take a quiet break in another room or the car with a chew. Our holiday travel guide has a packing list.

Turn naughty into nice in the new year

The holidays are a great time to spot behaviors you'd like to work on. Pick one or two skills from your quiz results and make them your dog's New Year's resolution.

Maybe it's polite greetings, a rock-solid leave it or walking nicely past distractions. Practice for a few minutes a day, track your progress and celebrate small wins. Retake this quiz next December and see how far your dog has come.

For a ready-made plan, try our 30-day training plan or New Year's resolutions for dog owners.

When naughty is really stress

Sometimes what looks like mischief is actually a dog who's overwhelmed. Watch for stress signals like lip licking, yawning, pacing, panting, hiding, shaking or growling, especially during parties or with lots of children around.

If your dog seems stressed, give them a break in their quiet space with a chew and soft music. Our Christmas Eve calming routine and dog body language guide can help you spot and ease stress.

Sudden changes in behavior, like new aggression, house soiling or not eating, are worth a call to your vet. Pain and illness can look like bad behavior.

Nice list rewards your dog will love

Every dog on the nice list deserves a treat, and so does every rascal working their way up. The best rewards match what your dog loves most.

• A sniffari. A slow walk somewhere new where your dog sets the pace and sniffs everything.
• A new puzzle toy. A fresh challenge for clever pups.
• Homemade treats. Try our homemade Christmas dog treats.
• A stocking of their own. Filled with dog-safe goodies. See dog Christmas stocking ideas.
• A nice list bandana. A festive bandana for the holiday photos.
• Snow play. A romp in fresh snow for dogs who love winter.
• Uninterrupted cuddle time. Ten minutes of your full attention, no phone.

Share your dog's result

Half the fun of a quiz is comparing scores. Share your dog's result with friends and family, and see whose pup lands on the nice list. Pair it with a holiday photo of your dog in their best innocent face, ideally next to the evidence.

Try retaking the quiz on behalf of every dog you know, from your parents' spaniel to your neighbor's mischievous terrier. It's a fun icebreaker at holiday gatherings, and it might just inspire a few gates and go-to-your-bed cues around the neighborhood.

When naughty becomes an emergency

Some holiday mischief is more than a funny story. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog eats or chews any of these:

• Chocolate or anything sweetened with xylitol. Including candy, baked goods and sugar-free gum. See my dog ate chocolate.
• Grapes, raisins or fruitcake.
• Tinsel, ribbon or string. Can cause dangerous intestinal blockages.
• Ornaments, glass or ornament hooks.
• Batteries. Especially button batteries from toys and gadgets.
• Electrical cords. Watch for mouth burns or trouble breathing.
• Cooked bones or fatty leftovers.
• Toxic holiday plants. Like lilies, holly and mistletoe.

Keep the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) numbers handy. A consultation fee may apply. Our dog first aid kit checklist has everything to keep ready.

Naughty dog myths

A few common beliefs make holiday behavior harder to fix:

• My dog knows they did wrong. That guilty look is usually a reaction to your tone and body language, not guilt about the crime.
• Dogs misbehave out of spite. Dogs do what works or what relieves stress. Spite isn't part of it.
• A firm no is enough. Telling a dog what not to do doesn't tell them what to do instead. Teach the alternative.
• Only young dogs can learn. Dogs of every age can learn new holiday manners.

Cheat sheet

Holiday manners in six steps:

• Manage the environment with gates and clear counters.
• Give your dog a job, like go to your bed.
• Reward calm, polite behavior generously.
• Exercise before guests and events.
• Keep routines as steady as you can.
• Watch for stress and give breaks.

• Mischief is normal. Excitement and opportunity, not spite.
• Manage first. Gates, clear counters and high ornaments.
• Give a job. Go to your bed beats jumping.
• Reward the nice stuff. Catch them being good.
• Watch for stress. Breaks and a quiet space help.

Image: Product photo

Shop now

Shop this article

Why is my dog so naughty at Christmas?

Excitement, opportunity, boredom and routine changes are the usual causes. It's rarely spite.

How do I stop my dog jumping on guests?

Use a leash or gate at the door, ask for a sit and reward calm greetings.

How do I stop my dog counter surfing?

Keep counters clear, gate the kitchen and teach a place cue with lots of treats.

How do I keep my dog away from the Christmas tree?

Anchor the tree, hang ornaments high, skip tinsel and use a pen or gate.

Why does my dog unwrap presents?

They can smell food or simply love tearing paper. Keep gifts off the floor.

How do I stop my dog barking at the doorbell?

Teach a go-to-bed cue with practice rings and reward quiet.

Is it okay to punish my dog for being naughty?

Reward-based training works better and avoids fear. Manage the setup instead.

Are dogs naughtier than cats at Christmas?

In one survey, dogs edged out cats for the Nice List, and fewer dogs than cats counter surfed.

Can stress make my dog misbehave?

Yes. Barking, chewing and clinginess can be signs of holiday stress.

Is this quiz a real behavior test?

No. It's just for fun. Talk to your vet or a trainer about real concerns.