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Holidays mean family, food, conversations, and people in bulk. For us, thatâs ânice.â For a dog, itâs a sudden surge of noise, unfamiliar smells, and stimuli no one asked them about. And no â a dog is not obligated to enjoy it or take part in it.
The fact that there are guests in the house does not mean the dog has to spend time with them, greet them, be petted, or âget used to it.â A dog has the right to peace and personal space. Providing calm and safety during the holidays is neither a whim nor a lack of training â itâs a basic part of responsible care. A dogâs comfort does not become less important just because someone came over for dinner.
Holidays do not cancel a dogâs needs. Walks are still necessary. Movement is still necessary. Routine is still necessary. Guests do not replace going outside, and âtheyâll manage somehowâ is not a care strategy. Excessive stimulation does not build resilience â it creates stress, which dogs often endure quietly.
And here itâs worth saying this clearly. Keeping a dog on a chain or in a kennel is not a solution. It is not care, not tradition, and not justified by the season or the occasion. It is isolation and neglect of psychological needs. Not only during the holidays. Always. Letting a dog into the house âfor a whileâ just because itâs Christmas does not fix the conditions they live in all year round. Thatâs not empathy â itâs a performative, holiday version of it.
A kennel is not a home, and a dog is not an alarm system or a piece of property equipment. Having a dog is not a lifestyle accessory â it is a responsibility that lasts all year. Being a good guardian and guide does not begin with special occasions, nor does it end when the holidays are over.
No one is forced to have animals. It is a choice. And if we choose it, empathy toward a dog should not only work under the Christmas tree. A dog does not need holidays. A dog needs a human who provides normal living conditions every single day.
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