Why Dogs Act Out More After the Holidays (The Real Reason)
The holidays are fun for families but they are chaos for dogs. Their normal structure disappears, the house is full of guests, the kids are home, everyone is excited, and your dog gets swept up in all of it.
Here’s what usually causes the behavior changes:
1. Routines Vanish
Walks shift, meals change, bedtime floats… everything that keeps a dog steady gets blurry.
2. Too Much Excitement + Not Enough Rules
Visitors, new smells, wrapping paper, extra treats. Dogs get overstimulated and under-structured at the same time.
3. Accidental Reinforcement
Grandma pets the jumping.
Cousin sneaks the table scraps.
Kids let the dog bolt out the door.
And suddenly, your dog thinks these are the new rules.
4. More Family Time = More Dependency
You were home for days. They loved it.
Now you’re leaving again and your dog doesn’t love that.
No, your dog isn’t being stubborn. Their world got turned upside down for a few weeks, and they’re trying to re-adjust.
How Ann Arbor Families Can Reset Behavior (Fast & Kindly)
This is the simple reset we recommend to Midwest families who want peace restored ASAP.
1. Bring Back the Basics
Dogs thrive when they know what’s expected. Reinstate the rules that worked before the holidays:
sit before going out
no rushing the door
calm greetings
structured walks
place or mat time
Think of it as a household refresh.
2. Cut the Extra Freedom for a Week
More structure → fewer meltdowns.
Short-term structure now saves weeks of frustration later.
3. Reset the Walk
If your walks turned into “sled-dog pulling,” it’s not permanent. Go back to:
shorter, purposeful walks
fewer distractions
clear heeling
calm starts and calm stops
A good walk fixes half of the household chaos.
4. Rebuild Engagement at Home
5-minute training sessions count.
Use simple games, food rewards, and clear boundaries to remind your dog how to “listen” again.
5. Get Help If Everything Feels Bigger Than Before
If your dog suddenly:
barks more
jumps constantly
ignores all cues
gets rowdy with the kids
or seems anxious
…it just means they need clarity, not correction. This is where professional guidance makes the biggest difference.
At Joey Luke's Dog Training, we help families all over the Ann Arbor area bring calm back into their homes with simple, effective training that works for real family life, school schedules, sports practices, carpool chaos, and all.
Your Dog Isn’t a Problem, They’re Just Out of Rhythm
Holiday behavior regression is common, normal, and temporary.
And with the right reset, most dogs bounce back quickly.
A little structure now goes a long way toward a peaceful home again.
If your dog feels “off” after the holidays — more jumping, more pulling, more ignoring you — we can help.
We work with families across Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, Dexter, and the surrounding areas to bring manners, calm, and confidence back to everyday life.
Schedule a consultation with Joey Luke’s Dog Training and start your dog’s post holiday reset today.