How the Christmas Period Can Cause a Setback in Separation Anxiety Training

The Christmas season can be a magical time, full of family, food and festive fun. But for dogs working through separation anxiety training, it can also bring unexpected challenges. Changes in routine, busy homes and long stretches of company can easily disrupt the careful progress made over the months before.

This doesn’t mean all is lost; it just means a little awareness and planning can go a long way in helping your dog stay on track.

Routines Change, and So Does the Dog’s Expectation

During the holidays, life tends to look very different. Guardians are home more often, days are less structured, and outings might involve longer social visits or travel. For a dog who has been learning that alone time is safe and predictable, these changes can feel confusing.

If your dog spends two solid weeks with you always at home, they may start to lose the rhythm of their gradual desensitisation work. When normal life resumes in January and you suddenly need to leave again, that leap can feel like a shock to the system.

More Noise, More Visitors, More Stress

Even for dogs who love company, the holidays can be overwhelming. Extra noise, visitors, parties and decorations all add up to a busier environment. For a dog with any level of anxiety, this background stress can make it harder for them to relax and cope with alone time.

Think of it like a stress bucket. If it’s already half full from excitement, disrupted sleep or unfamiliar people, it takes less for that bucket to overflow.

Travel and Boarding Disrupt the Pattern

If you’re travelling for Christmas or hosting away from home, your dog might experience new environments or temporary care arrangements. Boarding kennels, house sitters or even staying with friends can unsettle a sensitive dog. Once you’re back home, your dog may need a little time to re-establish that sense of safety before resuming longer absence training.

How to Protect Your Progress

1. Keep small separation exercises going. Even over the holidays, find moments to practise brief absences so your dog stays familiar with the pattern. These can be short and easy, such as stepping outside for a few seconds or closing the door while you make a cuppa.

   
   

2. Maintain calm, predictable routines where possible. Feeding times, walks and quiet rest periods help your dog feel grounded when everything else changes.

   
   

3. Plan ahead for unavoidable absences. If you know there will be events you can’t skip, arrange trusted care or company for your dog so that they’re not left over their threshold.

   
   

4. Reintroduce absences gently after the holidays. Once things settle down, start again with shorter durations if needed. Think of it as a refresher rather than a setback.

   
   

5. Be kind to yourself and your dog. The festive season can feel hectic for everyone. A slight regression is not failure; it’s simply feedback that your dog needs a slower re-entry into training.

A Fresh Start in the New Year

If progress stalls or your dog’s anxiety seems to have returned, don’t panic. Go back to the point in training where your dog was last comfortable and build from there. Most dogs catch up far quicker the second time around because the foundation is already in place.

Christmas should be joyful for both you and your dog. With a little planning and compassion, you can enjoy the season while keeping your dog’s training steady and stress levels low.

When January arrives, you’ll both be ready to start the new year with calm confidence, together. All the best, Victoria