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Australian Dog Lover
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The Christmas holidays feel like the perfect time to get a puppy—but the endless visitors and unpredictable schedules can quickly turn the dream into a stress-filled nightmare.
According to accredited dog behaviourist, expert force-free trainer, and bestselling author Sarah Rutten, the festive season can be a wonderful period to start life with a new dog, as long as families are truly prepared.
“Puppies are gorgeous, hilarious little chaos machines, but they can also be a lot of work,” Sarah says. “When puppy guardians know what to expect, it can make Christmas and the months after so much easier.”
Sarah shares the essential tips Australian owners need to know, focusing on surviving the summer chaos and setting your dog up for a lifetime of happiness.
“Puppies aren’t just for Christmas, they’re for life,” she says.
“A little preparation now can set you up for a strong, lifelong bond with your dog.”
1. Prioritise Downtime Amidst the Chaos
With most people spending more time at home, Christmas can be a beautiful opportunity to bond with your new pup. But Sarah says it’s equally important to remember that all the excitement—visitors, travel, and unpredictable routines—can be overwhelming.
“Puppies are leaving their mother and littermates for the first time. That alone is huge,” Sarah says. “They need lots of rest, consistency and gentle structure.”
- The Quiet Zone: Make sure you provide them with a lot of downtime and a quiet space to rest, like a crate or playpen, in between all the fun. This is especially important if you have a full house.
- Aussie Summer Alert: Remember that the hot Australian summer can drain a puppy quickly. Ensure fresh, cool water is always available and limit outdoor play to the coolest parts of the day.
2. Pick Gifts That Help, Not Hinder
Many puppy parents understandably want to treat their new furry friends with gifts. Sarah says that some gifts can assist with raising a puppy, and others can do the opposite.
Many puppy parents understandably want to treat their new furry friends with gifts. Sarah says that some gifts can assist with raising a puppy, and others can do the opposite.
✅ Sarah Says to Try These Gifts:
- Chew toys for teething: Puppies bite because they’re teething, exploring, and developing jaw strength. “You shouldn’t prevent a puppy from biting,” Sarah explains. “You can only teach them what’s appropriate to bite by giving them things they are allowed to chew.”
- Enrichment toys like lick mats, snuffle mats, and doggie puzzles can mentally stimulate your pup and help prevent boredom indoors during hot days.
❌ Some Presents to Avoid:
- Rawhide chews: These can be a choking hazard, cause digestive blockages, and some may contain toxic chemicals.
- Toys with small buttons or embellishments that can easily detach and become a choking hazard.
3. Prepare Your Puppy Now for Life After the Holidays
Even if you’re home more during the Christmas break, Sarah says it’s important to gently teach your puppy that alone time is safe and normal. This helps prevent separation anxiety when routines shift, and everyone goes back to work.
“Start with small moments of separation,” Sarah says. “Pop your puppy in their crate or playpen with a chew toy while you step into another room for a minute or two. Slowly build up the time.”
These small, positive experiences teach puppies that being alone isn’t scary — it’s just part of everyday life.
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| Image Credit: The Paws Room See more holiday tips for established dogs |
“Start with small moments of separation,” Sarah says. “Pop your puppy in their crate or playpen with a chew toy while you step into another room for a minute or two. Slowly build up the time.”
These small, positive experiences teach puppies that being alone isn’t scary — it’s just part of everyday life.
4. Socialisation Should Start Early
“It’s crucial to gradually introduce your puppy to the world and pair this with positive associations like treats and praise,” Sarah explains.
That includes progressively exposing your pup to other friendly, healthy dogs, visitors, kids, and everyday sights and sounds.
- Handling the Festive Chaos: “The number of dogs terrified of Santa is phenomenal, which is honestly understandable considering he’s a stranger in a garish outfit,” she says. If you’re introducing your new puppy to costumes or large groups of family, make these moments positive and short so you don’t end up with an anxious adult dog.
“There’s so much advice out there about how to raise a puppy. Guardians deserve advice that makes sense, feels good to use, and actually helps their pup thrive,” she says.
While many excellent local puppy schools take a well-deserved break over the holidays, you don't have to navigate those first few months alone. Sarah’s comprehensive, force-free Puppy Empowerment Program is accessible online 24/7.
It’s an online course designed for puppies aged 8 weeks to 6 months, covering everything from toilet training, socialisation, biting, enrichment, and building confidence, all with step-by-step instructional videos.
Want to learn more about setting your puppy up for success?
Check out Sarah Rutten’s program here:
www.thecanineperspective.com.au/puppy-school-dog-training-online-course
www.thecanineperspective.com.au/puppy-school-dog-training-online-course
About Sarah Rutten
For more expert advice on dog behaviour and force-free training, check out Sarah’s website and her book, The Canine Perspective: Using Force-Free Methods to Unleash Your Dog’s Paw-tential.
With a no-nonsense, science-backed approach, she's on a mission to educate dog owners, challenge outdated training myths, and advocate for ethical, force-free methods that strengthen the human-dog bond.
Follow Sarah Rutten and the Canine Perspective at:
on Instagram: @thecanineperspective
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