9 Holiday Activities for You and Your Dog

After a year that has seemed to both fly by and drag on, the holiday season is finally here! And you can celebrate this special time by planning fun, unique, and pampering activities for you and your dog. 

We’ve got ideas for every doggo personality, so get your Santa hats ready and let’s get to the festivities!

1. Play in the snow
We humans may have a hard time adjusting to the cold weather and the shorter days that come along with winter. But our pups are ready to make the most of the chilly holiday season, and they’ll teach us all how it’s done!

One of the best ways to bond with your dog during winter is by partaking in all of the snow-related activities. Have a game of fetch-the-snowball. Or, head to your nearest cross-country skiing location so that your pup can race alongside your skis. You can even strap on some snowshoes and take a hike, or pack a few sleds and head to the nearest hill.

Your dog will love the chance to go dashing through the snow with you, and the exercise will make them ready for some of the cuddlier items on our list!

2. Bake some delicious dog-friendly treats
Every year, your dog has to watch you indulging in chocolates, cookies, and other delicious holiday treats. This year, have them join in the fun by baking some dog-friendly treats for your pup. 

Here’s a simple one: mix together a cup of fine oatmeal flour, half a cup of peanut butter, and a banana. This will give you a rollable dough (if not, add a few more tablespoons of flour) that you can cut into cute Christmas shapes or the classic dog bone biscuit shape. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees until they’re golden. And then, when the treats are cool, have your pup try one! It’s sure to get them into the Christmas spirit. 

3. Curl up for some of your favorite holiday films
Watching Christmas movie marathons in comfy pajamas is one of the true joys of the season. And, there are plenty of movies about doggos, including A Dog Named Christmas and Beethoven’s Christmas Adventures. And of course, you’ll want to watch everyone’s favorite doggo/reindeer, Max, in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

So, cuddle up with your pup under plenty of cozy blankets and let the marathon begin! 

4. Treat your pup to a trip to the groomers
For the furry friends who love to be pampered, this is the perfect Christmas gift. Not all dogs enjoy a trip to the groomers, but they do seem to know how good they look when it’s all over!

You’ll love the fact that your home smells like Christmas instead of dog fur, and your dog will love the extra attention their shiny coat brings them. Plus, this is a necessary step for the next fun holiday activity!

5. Have a Christmas card photoshoot
Dog-themed holiday cards are a timeless tradition. In fact, when compared to other pets, like cats or horses, 92% of Americans prefer to see dogs on their holiday cards.

And that might be why so many dog owners hop on the trend by taking pictures of their own festive Fidos. You can do this by taking a trip to a scenic area near home, or setting up a holiday backdrop right in your living room. Make sure the lighting is good and your pup gets a quick brush. And don’t forget the Christmas sweater or reindeer antler headband! 

If it’s too late to send physical holiday cards, you can easily upload your photos for fun ecards. Your friends and family will love them.

6.  Make a treat and toy advent calendar
Advent calendars seem to get more and more popular by the year. And it’s easy to see why! These festive calendars, with numbered compartments for every day of December until Christmas, are the perfect way to celebrate the season.

This year, plenty of dog advent calendars have popped up, so you can easily buy one for your pooch. Or, you can make your own with your dog’s favorite toys and treats. Your personalized doggie advent calendar can be as simple as a box filled with small wrapped gifts marked with each day until Christmas. This option is a bit more dog-friendly, as your pup will be able to unwrap gifts instead of waiting for you to up the little cardboard doors.

7. Teach your dog to dance to your favorite holiday song
Christmas music is unavoidable. It’s playing in stores, it’s on the radio, it’s stuck in our heads on a loop until February.

Instead of fighting it, why not use the opportunity to have some fun with your dog? You can take your inspiration from the sport of competitive dog dancing, in which highly-trained dogs and their handlers wow the crowd with intricate dance moves. 

Your doggo will adore the chance to spend more time with you, and they’ll benefit from the mental stimulation of learning new tricks.

So, reclaim the Christmas music by dancing with your dog!

8. Make paw print tree ornaments
DIY salt dough ornaments are easy to make and can add a cute personal touch to your Christmas tree.

There are plenty of step-by-step tutorials online that you and your dog can follow to make adorable tree ornaments this year! We should mention that once dried, they should be hung high away from your pup so that they don’t get gobbled up! They may look like Christmas cookies, but they are not safe for eating.

9. Set up a gingerbread obstacle course
Alright, this one is for the Christmas fans who have quite a bit of extra time on their hands this holiday season. Instead of making your traditional gingerbread house, you’re going to make a gingerbread maze that your pup can sniff their way through!

To prevent your doggo from eating their way through the gingerbread walls you’ve set up, make sure that there’s a delicious treat at the end to capture their attention. 

And, don’t hesitate to share this fun activity with your online community! A gingerbread dog maze video is sure to go viral in the time it would take to sing Jingle Bell Rock. 

Which holiday activities will you do with your dog?
Will you and your pup become a pro sledding duo? Or, do you prefer to curl up under a heap of blankets for a more peaceful holiday season?

Whichever festive activities you choose to do with your pup, we wish you very Happy Holidays!