Anna Webb – Broadcaster, Author, has studied natural nutrition and therapies with the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT). She lives in London and is owned by Prudence a Miniature Bull Terrier and Mr Binks, a re-homed English Toy Terrier. www.annawebb.co.uk
This Christmas will be like no other. With entertaining and ‘human’ socialising curtailed this could be a blessing for many dogs.
It’s not just the puppies bought in Lockdown, having had limited socialisation opportunities, facing possible festive fears.
© @paaw_barry
Studies concur that 40% of all dogs are displaying increased anxiety through increased barking, nervousness and separation issues.
The puppy boom lockdown pups will now have grown into teenagers, becoming rebellious causing further anxiety and stress.
When the Christmas edition of Radio Times hits the shelves, it marks the start of the festive holidays.
© @radiotimes
Especially for pet parents this year as this year it contains the world’s first ever TV guide dedicated to your pooch.
The choice selection in the Pet TV guide have been compiled by TV critic Boyd Hilton and Pet wellness expert Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor and pitched perfect to help calm anxious dogs.
Tapping into sensory stimulus and enrichment to calm and distract from any overwhelming festive celebrations, it could offer a solution to those ‘teenage’ pups.
© @paaw_vinnie
For some excitable pooches the Christmas tree may have already become a convenient pee stop. The baubles being a temptation as the new tennis ball, or the tinsel as new rope toy.
Noone wants a vet emergency on Christmas Day or for the stresses of too much sudden stimulation to exacerbate anxieties.
Opt for chilling with your dog on the sofa and enjoying a movie. This might just bring extra Christmas cheer. Don’t worry you won’t have a fight over the remote!
Featuring a line-up of the best shows over the festive period, each specially chosen for ‘sensory’ qualities to keep pets calm and happy this Christmas.
But this doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out on either the Strictly: Christmas Countdown or Britain’s Got Talent.With low light levels and upbeat vocals, both tick the pet-friendly box offering extra visual and aural enrichment.
The home cinema experience gets better for dog lovers still as The Top Dog Film Festival bounds into the UK from Australia for the first time as a virtual event.
As a must watch sofa chilling experience for you and your dog, it’s allowing us to indulge in the joys of pet parenthood.
Featuring a selection of short independent films from around the world that celebrate the unbreakable bond between us and our dogs.
As two ‘movie night’ dates for your festive diary on December 27th and January 15th, the Top Dog Film Festival delivers heart-warming, moving and inspirational stories about our four-legged best friends.
© Top Dog Film Festival – Surfing with Sugar
Just remember when you grab your ‘pup-corn’ keep all chocolate, mince pies and anything with raisins well away from your pooch as they are potentially toxic.
As different as this Christmas will be, pet parents can rest assured that they’ll never feel lonely with their doggo.
Don’t underestimate a dog’s health benefits and remember that stroking your own dogs releases the happy hormone Oxytocin in both you and your dog.
© Top Dog Film Festival – Backcountry Skiing
It’s a time to count our blessings and remind ourselves of everything dogs do for us. In return it’s our responsibility to ensure that our pooches also enjoy the holidays.
And to think of those less fortunate that might be looking for a ‘furever’ home or those facing eviction from Landlords’ discriminatory ‘no pet’ clauses.
As we begin a fresh start in 2021, could a house ever be a home without your dog?