The holiday season is here, and that means that it is time to get started with your favorite holiday activities. As we all know, the holidays are best shared with loved ones—so who better to share it with than your favorite canine companion? Our doggos are perfect for celebrating the holidays as long as you know how to find the best dog-friendly celebrations. In this article, we are going to tell you how to live, laugh, and love this holiday season with your furry friend!
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The Holiday Season and Your Pupper
Humans often make the mistake of assuming that our doggos don’t really care about human traditions. Though one look at videos of pups opening their holiday presents should dispel the belief, we admit that it is an easy one to make. All too often, the holidays focus exclusively on humans and not pets. But, the truth is that you can make sure that your doggo loves this season just as much as you do!
Dogs love to be included in everything that we do, even when we work from home! So, why would the holidays be any different? If you can figure out a way to make your holiday plans a little more dog-friendly, you might be surprised by how much your pup looks forward to the season every single year. Yes, your dog can embrace the holidays just like you!
Ways to Celebrate with Dogs on Holidays
Most pawrents are constantly looking for exciting ways to spend time with their pups, and the holidays are full of them. This is the time of year when we all come together, so remember to bring that energy and let your doggo bask in the joy that is tons of extra attention. Just don’t be surprised when your dog starts looking forward to it every year!
Playing in the Snow
Dogs of all shapes and sizes absolutely love playing in the snow, so why not bring them along for your favorite snowy events? Pups can have all kinds of fun playing outside with family. Take the time to really embrace the cold and have fun with your canine companion outside.
Sure, your dog might not be the best at making a snowman, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy the other stuff. Plenty of dogs love riding on sleds (or chasing them!), making snow dog angels, and just sprinting through the cold. If you have a high-energy dog, having them chase snowballs can be a fun bonding activity too. As long as you make sure your pup is warm and happy, you will have a blast!
Holiday Dog Cookies
Humans love the time-honored tradition of making holiday cookies, but who said that this was limited exclusively to humans? Chances are that your doggo loves dog-friendly cookies even more than you, so why not embrace that this holiday season?
Making holiday dog cookies is a fun way to give your dog a special holiday surprise that they will absolutely love. It is no secret that our pups tend to be very interested in what we make in the kitchen, so just imagine how excited they will be when they realize that the delicious smells from the oven are actually for them! Follow your favorite dog-friendly holiday treat recipes to create lasting memories with your favorite fluff. For dogs with allergies, be sure to check out some limited-ingredient options too!
Driving to Look at Holiday Lights
So many of us love to drive through neighborhoods to check out the holiday lights. It is a fun way to spend the holidays, and some people really go all out with their displays. If you are the kind of person who usually cruises the streets with family or friends to see what your neighbors are up to, we have great news: this is perfect for pups.
Though not every doggo loves a ride in the car, there is no arguing the fact that some of them really do. Pawrents who have pups that love time in the car will find that this is an amazing way to spend time with the whole family. While you marvel at the lights, your doggo can enjoy a nice little evening cruise. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Dog-Friendly Holiday 5Ks
Active dogs and active humans are so fortunate because they have an entirely new set of options when it comes to bonding activities. 5Ks are something that plenty of people try to do at least once or twice a year, and a lot of them are actually dog-friendly too.
If you have an active pup that loves to watch the competition eat dust, hop online to find local 5Ks that allow pets. It is a wonderful way to get out some of that frenzied canine energy and get some good exercise too. Your pup will love a chance to get outside, and you can have fun with them!
Online Shopping Sprees
Some dogs can seem like they are actually about 80% couch potato, and to be honest, we think that is a total mood. Fortunately, this year you can turn your Christmas shopping into a bonding activity with you and your favorite lazy pet. Instead of heading out to fight the masses, you can enjoy an opportunity to spend time with your pup at home.
Your dog might not be the best at giving present advice. Let’s be honest, if we left it up to them, it would be all bones and stuffies, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun for both of you. Grab your smartphone, tablet, or laptop and plop down with your pet for some online shopping (and maybe a nap or two). Finding Christmas gifts has seriously never been this easy. This is a great way to make sure that your pup really earns their name on the present tag when gifts go out.
Howl-a-long Caroling
Are you one of the lucky pawrents with a doggo that loves to sing? Caroling might just be the perfect opportunity for you this holiday season. Pups that love to be nice and vocal when you sing are perfect for putting on an absolutely adorable show. Let your dog’s voice ring loud and clear as you celebrate the holidays. Your neighbors will think it is hilarious, and your dog will have fun contributing a good howl or two while going on a walk.
Pawrent Pro-tip: add matching outfits for a little extra fun!
A Holiday Feast
The holidays can be a lot of fun, but for the more food motivated among us, sometimes it ends up being all about the food. This time of year is well-known for its focus on delicious meals and the time spent bonding over them with friends and family. Including your doggo in this is one easy way to help them fall in love with the holidays.
There are two ways to go about this. The first way is to make your pup their very own holiday feast using dog-friendly ingredients. The second way is simply to share some of your human food with them in the event that it is safe for dogs. As long as you aren’t adding too many extras, you might be surprised by what a pup can eat. A little plate of meat or even a small serving of plain potatoes can be great. As long as your vet signs off on it, you are good to go—and you can guarantee that your pup will love every minute of it!
Holiday Movie Marathon
For a lot of us, one of the best parts of the holidays is the movie selection! Who doesn’t love an endless list of feel-good movies that always have a happy ending? We sure do! This year, make it a priority to have a holiday movie marathon with your pup. They will enjoy the cuddles and fun, and you can enjoy all of those hilarious and endearing holiday classics. Your dog might not get. Home Alone, but we bet that they will be interested every time that Max is on the tv if you watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Fun Doggy Fashion for the Holiday Season
Even the most laidback dogs can appreciate the power that comes with wearing fashionable outfits during the holiday season. With the right dog clothes, your dog will get more ear scratches and pets from those around them than ever before—and let’s not forget just how many likes they will get online in their cute outfits. These are the must-have dog looks for this year’s holiday season!
Rudolph Dog Dress with Antlers
Perfect for Santa's Little Helper
REINDEER DOG DRESS
Nothing says adorable quite like this absolutely darling Rudolph dog dress. With its precious plaid design, it is warm, cozy, and very comfortable. Your pup will love lounging about in this outfit or heading out on a walk to show it off.
The real magic happens with this outfit when you focus on the hood. Fitted with cute little antlers and a red puff to symbolize Rudolph’s iconic nose, this dress is guaranteed to get attention from the people around you. Since it is certain to draw attention, it is great for any pup looking for small dog clothes that bring big energy. Your dog will love having everyone fawn over them, and they will appreciate the ear protection too!
Warm Me Up Dog Beanie
Soft and Snuggly
DOG WINTER BEANIE
For too long, dogs have been left out of the hat game simply because of the ears on their head. We took one look at this and decided that enough was enough. Our dogs deserve fashionable headwear that isn’t just a simple headband. Thus this dog beanie was born.
This fashionable design is packed with cutting-edge dog-friendly features. Not only is it thick and warm, offering comfort and protection for doggos on a cold day, but it is also designed specifically to accommodate ears. Your dog doesn’t want their ears to be crushed down into nothing. They want to be able to hear Santa’s sleigh bells and feel the breeze on their ears. With this design, your pup can have a warm head and free ears too!
Santa Claus Dog Turtleneck
Spread Christmas Cheer
SANTA DOG TURTLENECK
This isn't your typical ugly Christmas sweater and every good doggo knows that literally nothing can look ugly on them. Mirroring traditional sweater designs, we were able to bring this holiday classic to a cute canine style that is warm, comfortable, and guaranteed to make your pup the hit of any holiday party.
Available in several sizes, this dog sweater was made to bring the holiday spirit to dogs of all shapes and sizes. Unleash your dog's inner Kris Kringle and watch them charm the paws off your friends and family. Get ready to turn your pup into the cutest little Santa and show off their holiday spirit.
Chunky Cable-Knit Dog Sweater
Warm and Comfy
CABLE-KNIT CREWNECK
Some dogs don’t want to be overshadowed by their outfit, and we completely respect that. Our Chunky Cable-Knit dog sweater was created specifically as an accessory to cuteness so that your dog can be warm and cozy while keeping the focus entirely on their adorable little faces.
This simple red and white design is perfect for creating a subtle focus on holiday spirit without being too in-your-face about it. It is warm, comfortable, and provides that perfect holiday look that is guaranteed to get your pup a few extra pets.
The Takeaway
The holiday season is a time for family and friends, and that means that it should be spent with your dog too. There are so many opportunities to create lasting memories with your dog that you will cherish for years to come. With the right activities and the right outfit, your dog will be ready to embrace the holidays and everything that comes with them. At the end of the day, it is all about making sure that you spend time with them because that is what every good boy or girl wants.
Until next time, thank you for reading!
About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.
