(Updated and Expanded for 2025 - Everything I've Learned in 25+ Years of Keeping Dogs Safe and Sane Over the Holidays)
I’ve been writing about dogs and Thanksgiving since 2005 (yes, really - the first post is still up). Every year the same preventable tragedies roll in: dogs bolting out open doors, raiding turkey carcasses, swallowing onions wrapped in foil, or ending up in the shelter because "company left the gate open." After over two decades of private in-home lessons, I can boil it all down to one truth: 90 percent of holiday dog problems are 100 percent predictable and 100 percent preventable. Here’s the updated, no-fluff master guide that combines everything I've ever written on the subject - plus what works in 2025.
The Front Door Will Be a Revolving Door - Plan for It
Every year I hear about the panicked call: "My dog ran out when the guests arrived!" In 2024 alone I wrote about loose dogs on holidays because the statistics haven't changed since 2005: animal control picks up a surge of dogs on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July.
Fix it like a pro:
Put a large sign on the inside of the front door: "STOP - DOG INSIDE - CLOSE DOOR FAST"
Assign one adult (not a child) as the official "door monitor."
Move the dog to a quiet bedroom or crate with a frozen stuffed Kong 30 minutes before the first guest arrives.
Bonus 2025 tip: AirTag or Fi collar - if they do get out, you'll know within seconds.
The Kitchen Is a War Zone - Treat It Like One
Turkey skin, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, xylitol pie, chocolate pecan pie, bones that splinter. I've seen dogs hit emergency clinics for every single one of these. The 2008 post still holds up: If you wouldn't give it to a toddler, don't let the dog steal it.
2025 pro moves:
Put a baby gate or exercise pen around the cooking area - guests respect a physical barrier more than a verbal warning.
Pre-make "people food" puzzle toys (freeze low-sodium broth with green beans and carrots in a Kong or Toppl). Hand them out when the turkey comes out of the oven - the dog is busy and happy instead of counter-surfing.
Housetraining Regressions Are Coming - Get Ahead of Them
Travel, schedule changes, and 20 new humans walking in and out = accidents. My brand-new 90-minute housetraining masterclass (filmed 2025) is literally built for this exact weekend. I've been teaching these protocols in private lessons for over 20 years; now you can get the whole system for less than the cost of one in-home visit.
Special Thanksgiving Weekend Deal (expires Dec 5, 2025):
Get the complete "100% Housetrained" video for 20 percent off with code TURKEY2025 at samthedogtrainer.com/video. You'll learn: The key rules that prevent 95 percent of holiday accidents. How to use crates and other tools and techniques so guests don't sabotage you. The exact schedule that survives houseguests and Black Friday shopping.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Puppies - A 20-Year Warning That Still Applies
Every year the shelters fill up in January with "Black Friday puppies" that were impulse buys. My 2024 post about Black Friday dogs and the 2006 "Are You Prepared for the Holidays?" article say the same thing in 2025: If you're not ready to train a dog through adolescence, do not bring one home this weekend.
If you or someone you know is tempted, send them the video above first - it will save everyone heartbreak.
Amazon Quick-Wins I Actually Recommend (Affiliate links - I only earn if you buy)
These are the exact items I tell private clients to grab before Thanksgiving:
Dog Playpen: (keeps dog out of the kitchen without feeling "punished") -
Kong Extreme + fill with kibble
AirTag Collar attachment and AirTags (peace of mind when 30 relatives come over) -
Nature's Miracle (because someone will have an accident) -
Pooper Scooper (well, you get the idea)
The Two Dogs You Can Save This Weekend (2009 idea - still one of my favorites)
Back in 2009 I challenged readers to skip one expensive coffee drink and donate the $5 to a rescue instead of buying a dog a new toy. Inflation-adjusted, make it $10 in 2025. Two big coffees = one shelter dog fed for several days.
Final Word from a Guy Who's Seen Every Possible Holiday Disaster
The difference between a great Thanksgiving with your dog and a nightmare is about four hours of prevention. Do the prep work Wednesday night, watch the housetraining video while the turkey's in the oven Thursday morning, and you'll get to enjoy the holiday instead of apologizing to relatives or rushing to the ER vet. You’ve got this - and if you don't, I'm one click away. Happy Thanksgiving,
Sam Basso
Phoenix Metro/ Online
samthedogtrainer.com
Get the video 25 percent off before Dec 5: code TURKEY2025
P.S. - If you're local and the weekend gets ugly, I still have a couple of emergency in-home slots between now and December 1. Text 602-708-4531 and tell me "Thanksgiving meltdown" - I'll call you back faster than normal.
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