Holiday visits
Holiday guests, a hopeful dog, and a plan for both
Updated
The simplest fix for guests feeding your dog is to give them something you chose: set out one bag of your dog's treats, say how many pieces is fine, and ask that nothing comes off a plate. People want to share with a dog; this lets them, on your terms.
Why do guests want to feed the dog?
Because it is how people greet a dog. A dog looks up, a guest feels welcome, and a bit of food changes hands without anyone thinking about it. Nobody is being rude. They are being friendly in the one way a dog reliably responds to.
That is worth remembering before you say anything at the door. Guests are not the problem, and the habit is not a character flaw. They just have not been told what the house does. Give them a better way to do the same kind friendly thing, and most will take it gladly.
How do you set house rules without making it awkward?
Say it early, say it lightly and say it once. A sentence at the door does the job: "He gets a treat from this bag only, thanks." Then put the bag where people can see it.
Three small habits keep it easy:
- Tell people as they arrive, before they sit down, so no one learns the rule after the fact.
- Name one person in charge of the bag, so it does not travel from hand to hand.
- Leave a note on the counter or by the bag for anyone who comes in later.
Think of it as a valet key. Guests get access to the treats, not to the whole kitchen.
What should guests hand out instead of food from the table?
One bag from the box, with the pieces broken ahead of time. A guest who holds a few small pieces has something to do with a hopeful dog, and the dog gets a reward that was made for dogs. Our box is our own single ingredient treats, freeze dried or air dried in small batches in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and some have a Greek yogurt or cheddar cheese base. The dog box page explains what comes in a month.
The ASPCA keeps a list of people foods to keep away from pets, which is one more reason to hand guests something of your own. What is in the bag depends on the month, since contents change and the photos are only a guide.
Between visits, keep the bag sealed so it is ready for the next one. Our page on storing a month of dog treats covers the habits. These are for intermittent or supplemental feeding, so the guest bag is a small extra beside meals, never dinner itself.
Where should treat time happen during a gathering?
Away from the table. Pick a spot by the door or in a kitchen corner, somewhere that is not where people are eating. A dog that gets its treats over there has less reason to watch the plates.
Walk guests to the spot when they ask. A small mat in that corner marks the place for everyone. If the dog gets treats at the door on arrival and in the corner later, the table goes back to being furniture. You can read what comes in a box on the Modified Monthly page if guests ask where the treats came from.
What about guests who bring a dog of their own?
Each dog gets its own owner's treats. A visiting dog is not part of your treat plan, and you do not know what it eats at home or what its owner has asked it to skip. Ask the owner before giving a visiting dog anything, and let them hand it over.
The same rule works the other way. If your guests ask whether their dog can have one of yours, the answer is to let the owner decide. It keeps the peace, and it keeps both bags where they belong.
When the visit is over, put the guest bag back with the rest. The guides hub has more for running a dog household.
Questions
How do I politely stop guests from feeding my dog?
Tell them at the door, kindly and early, and give them an alternative. Hand over the treat bag and say the dog gets treats from it only. Most people are happy to follow the rule once they know what it is.
What can guests give my dog instead of table food?
A treat from a bag you set out. Break the pieces ahead of time so guests have small ones to hand over. Keep the bag in one place and let one person manage it, so the amount stays under your control.
How many treats can guests give?
We do not give a number. Set aside a portion before the visit and split it among the guests, so the total is the one you chose. Treats are extras beside meals, so a holiday does not need to be the exception.
What if a guest already gave my dog something from the table?
If you are worried about what the dog ate, call your veterinarian and tell them what it was. Keep a note of the food and roughly when it happened. For next time, put the treat bag out before the plates come.
Should the dog stay in another room during dinner?
That is your call. Some households like the dog in the room with a spot of its own, and some prefer a closed door. Either works. The treat plan works the same way as long as guests know where treats come from.
Can kids hand out the treats too?
Yes, with an adult watching. Show them to hold the piece on a flat hand and let the dog take it. Give kids small pieces and a clear limit, and have an adult hold the bag.